What started out as a tiny cork manufacturer in Hiroshima, Japan, today stands as a world leader in the production of commercial and passenger vehicles.
1990
The Jim Russell Driving School designed the Formula Mazda open-wheel racing car for instructional use. The vast popularity of the instruction vehicle resulted into the development of the Star Mazda Series, which is the most popular open-wheel spec racing series today.
1991
The Mazda 787B No. 55 wins the LeMans 24-Hour Endurance Race claiming the first victory for a Japanese automobile and the rotary engine.
1992
The rebirth of the RX-7. Mazda introduced its 3rd generation RX-7, the "FD," a pure high-powered sports car featuring a record breaking power-to-weight ratio and is still regarded as one of the best handling production cars of all time. All models are powered by a 255 hp refinement of the 13B engine featuring the first sequential twin-turbo system available in the US.
The Mazda Global Environmental Charter’ is adopted
Mazda develops the world’s first repeatedly-recyclable plastic composite. The new Mazda 626 receives the ‘Import Car of the Year’ award from Motor Trend magazine
1993
The little known film Only the Strong opens featuring the Afro-Brazilian martial art Capoeira and introduces "Zoom-Zoom-Zoom" which later becomes a well-known theme song for Mazda.
1994
Mazda introduced the all-new Millenia. This is a luxury level sedan that features the high-output, fuel-efficient Miller-cycle engine (in the Millenia S), and the first automotive application of Miller-cycle technology.
1995
High insurance rates and a high yen-to-dollar ratio marked the end of RX-7 import into the US. Mazda continues production of the vehicle for other markets however, through 2002.
Mazda celebrates its 75th Anniversary.
Mazda celebrates its 25th year of doing business in the U.S.
1996
Scottish born Henry Wallace was hired as CEO of Mazda, making this the first time a Japanese car company had a non-Japanese CEO.
Mazda opens the new parts distribution center in Mississippi.
1997
Mazda MX-5 Miata wins ‘All Stars’ by Automobile magazine for the seventh consecutive year.
1998
The passion continued as Mazda unveiled the 2nd generation MX-5 Miata at the Chicago Auto Show.