Who makes Mazda?

If we are talking about underestimated car brands, Mazda certainly ranks at the top of the list. Over the years, the Japanese brand managed to make impressive innovations such as the rotary engine in their RX-7 model, and recent SkyActive technology. Mazdaspeed models have also been beloved in the US, especially Mazda 6 MPS and Mazda 3 MPS, as well as the CX-7 SUV with the same engine.

Besides these innovations, Mazda has always offered a great blend of sporty looks and build quality. Naturally, that raises the question – who makes Mazda? Mazda vehicles are made by Mazda Motor Corporation based in Japan. Over the years, the company had some of its shares owned by Ford, and the recent partnership with Toyota made drivers wonder, so let’s see what it’s all about.

Overview of Mazda’s history as a brand

Mazda has been present on the automotive scene for 100 years now, but they made their first passenger car back in 1940. They used to make three-wheeled vehicles before, and ever since 1940, the brand started to claim its spot as one of the best manufacturers in Japan.

In 1964, their car made its first debut in the Japanese Grand Prix race, and so their journey of producing sporty vehicles began. They started exporting vehicles in Europe just three years after, and their Mazda 323 model earned its place as the car of the year in Japan.

In 1984, the brand was renamed “Mazda Motor Corporation” and the name stands to this day. One of the main achievements of the brand was back in 1991 when their 787B model won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is an endurance sportscar race held annually in France.

This prestige award launched Mazda into the spotlight even further, and they kept up with impressive feats to this day. A unique Wankel rotary engine technology started with the RX-7 model and was capable of producing immense power in a low displacement. The story continued with the RX-8 model which is still quite popular in the US.

Their latest SkyActive technology utilizes individually built engine parts to maximize the power output, and fuel efficiency of a petrol engine as much as possible. Their latest SkyActiveX cars result in considerable engine power with the lowest possible consumption. So, yes, Mazda has quite a lot to brag about as a brand, and its rotary engine technology has changed the car industry forever.

Partnerships with other car brands

Over the years, Mazda had its share of partnerships with other car brands, but the most important thing is that none of these partnerships endangered the integrity of Mazda as a brand. Back in 1979, Ford bought a considerable amount of company shares and had its vote on some of the controlling board decisions.

However, Ford sold all their shares in the company and Mazda was once again a completely individual brand. When it comes to recent agreements and partnerships, Mazda signed a collaboration deal with Toyota in 2015.

Still, it’s not owned by Toyota, but the partnership is rather oriented towards achieving mutual goals and developing both brands by sharing some of their technology. As a result of this deal, we have the MTM factory in the US (Mazda Toyota Manufacturing) that focuses on the production of mutually-developed cars.

So, you can say that Mazda has never been completely under a different car brand in its 100-year-long history. Each of their models brings a dose of their styling ideas and engineering to confirm the brand’s authenticity.

Production of Mazda cars

Mazda cars are mostly made in the Mazda Motor Corporation factory near Hiroshima, Japan. Most of their cars are made in Japan, but there are several production plants that the company operates in the US. On top of that, there’s the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing facility we mentioned that produces the new Mazda CX-50.

Some of their commuter cars like the Mazda 5 Minivan and the CX-5 are produced in the Miyoshi part of the Hiroshima facility. Mazda also runs production plants in Michigan and Missouri where the Mazda 6 model is made. On top of that, there are numerous Japan-based facilities like the Hofu facility.

Over the years, these factories have produced thousands of different vehicle types and engine types. Most of Mazda cars are petrol-oriented, while they recently grasped the benefits of hybrid cars and even fully-electric models.

Who makes Mazda engines?

Due to the previously mentioned partnership with Ford and the fact that the US brand held a considerable amount of Mazda shares, the two brands used to share some technology. However, ever since Mazda regained possession of all of its shares, the company produces its engines.

It also did so even while parenting with Ford, but many drivers are wondering about the uniqueness of Mazda engines. After all, what’s there not to trust with all those innovative engine technologies we mentioned a while back?

Mazda helped innovate the automotive engineering scene with Wankel rotary engines, SkyActive engines, and the well-known 2.3-liter Disi Turbo engine that went into the Mazdaspeed 3 and 6 models, as well as the CX-7. On top of that, you can’t just go around the US-favorite Mazda Miata or the MX-5 which just got renewed for the fourth generation.

An exciting future ahead

Mazda’s lineup for 2023 already shows the ambition of the brand to keep producing premium-quality models in its Japanese and US-based facilities. The new Mazda CX-50 gets improved with the new 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that expands to 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

On top of this model that is produced in the US-based MTM facility, Mazda also plans on keeping up with the production of its Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback models, as well as the Mazda 6 sedan.

There’s also the new Mazda CX-30 and the MX-30 EV electric car. It’s also the final chance to grab a CX-9 large SUV model which gets replaced by the CX-90 after the 2023 production year. The CX-9 is made in the Aki plant in Hiroshima, and we are yet to see where the CX-90 will be made.

Those debating on Supercab vs Supercrew with the door size can rest assured that the CX-9 suits all needs, as it gets equipped with optional 2nd-row captain’s chairs. Overall, Mazda will keep producing top-quality cars in both Japan and the US with a suitable option for every driver.

Our take

Drivers who own Mazda cars or are planning on buying a Mazda are often confused after asking the question “who makes Mazda” and now your worries can come to an end. You can rest assured that Mazda is made in Japan and the US, so you get a traditional Japanese build quality.

The brand has stayed true to its name over the past 100 years, and partnerships with Ford and Toyota never affected the integrity of the brand.