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Mazda has been constructing automobiles since 1920, however its journey from a Japanese cork producer to a worldwide automaker has been something however simple. Some a long time noticed the model attain unbelievable heights with rotary-powered sports activities automobiles and light-weight roadsters, whereas others had been marked by struggles to seek out an identification.
Let’s rank every decade based mostly on efficiency achievements, design excellence, innovation, and market success.
1. Nineties – The Golden Period
This was Mazda firing on all cylinders. The last decade opened with the revolutionary Miata already changing into a sensation, proving that inexpensive enjoyable might promote, and the RX-7 FD reached its absolute peak with the third-generation mannequin’s beautiful curves and refined rotary engine.
Mazda gained Le Mans in 1991 with the 787B, changing into the one Japanese producer and the one rotary-powered automobile to ever declare that trophy, whereas again residence the model was crafting driver-focused machines that fanatics nonetheless worship as we speak.
2. 2010s – The Renaissance
Mazda reinvented itself with Skyactiv know-how and the Kodo design language, proving you didn’t have to go hybrid or turbo to construct environment friendly, attractive automobiles. The fourth-generation Miata returned to the unique’s light-weight philosophy whereas the CX-5 turned a gross sales powerhouse, and all of the sudden Mazda was the scrappy underdog punching above its weight class with interiors and driving dynamics that rivaled premium manufacturers.
The corporate lastly found out the right way to be worthwhile whereas staying true to its zoom-zoom roots.
3. Eighties – The Rotary Revolution
The RX-7 arrived in 1978 however actually got here into its personal in the course of the ’80s, with the second-generation FC mannequin changing into an icon of the period’s sports activities automobile growth. Mazda was promoting rotary know-how throughout its lineup, from the common-or-garden GLC to the luxurious Cosmo, whereas establishing itself as a critical participant within the American market with sensible automobiles that had been genuinely enjoyable to drive.
The partnership with Ford deepened throughout this decade, giving Mazda monetary stability even when it meant some badge-engineered fashions.
4. 2000s – Discovering Route
The RX-8 arrived with its intelligent suicide doorways and was an attention-grabbing tackle the rotary sports activities automobile, even when it couldn’t fairly match the RX-7’s legend. We nonetheless need it again. Additionally, the Mazda6 proved the model might construct a genuinely aggressive midsize sedan. However this decade noticed Mazda combating identification, relying closely on Ford’s platforms whereas gas costs soared and rotary engines turned more and more impractical.
Nonetheless, the second-generation Miata saved the roadster dream alive, and the seeds of the Skyactiv revolution had been being planted.
5. Seventies – Rising Pains
Mazda almost went bankrupt in the course of the 1973 oil disaster as a result of it had wager closely on rotary engines proper when gas economic system turned everybody’s high precedence. The RX-3 and RX-4 had been genuinely fast and enjoyable, profitable races and constructing a cult following, however the timing couldn’t have been worse.
The last decade ended on a excessive word with the introduction of the 626 and the unique RX-7 in 1978, exhibiting that Mazda had realized its lesson about diversification.
6. 2020s – Current Day (Incomplete)
We’re solely partway via this decade, however Mazda is taking part in it protected with refinements slightly than revolutions. The CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90 are strong entries within the crossover wars, and the model is lastly dipping its toes into electrification whereas everybody else is diving in headfirst.
There’s speak of rotary engines returning as vary extenders and rumors of electrified sports activities automobiles, however proper now Mazda feels prefer it’s in a holding sample, ready to see which method the wind blows earlier than making daring strikes.
7. Nineteen Sixties – Discovering Its Footing
Mazda was nonetheless determining what sort of automobile firm it needed to be, constructing small vans and primary sedans for the home market. The Cosmo Sport arrived in 1967 as Japan’s first rotary-powered manufacturing automobile, which was genuinely groundbreaking, however the model was nonetheless tiny in America with minimal presence.
The rotary know-how licensed from NSU would outline Mazda’s future, however on this decade, they had been nonetheless studying the right way to construct dependable automobiles round it.
Fifties – The Starting
Mazda constructed its first actual automobile, the R360 coupe, in 1960, so most of this decade was spent making three-wheeled vans referred to as the Mazda-Go. These weren’t automobiles in any significant sense however slightly industrial autos serving to Japan rebuild after World Warfare II.
There’s not a lot to rank right here since Mazda was barely within the passenger automobile enterprise, although the corporate’s dedication to constructing transportation options would finally evolve into the zoom-zoom philosophy.
Conclusion
Mazda’s historical past reads like an underdog story with real peaks and valleys. The model has all the time been at its greatest when it took dangers, whether or not that was constructing rotary engines when everybody mentioned they had been impractical or creating a light-weight roadster when SUVs had been taking up.
The worst a long time had been when Mazda performed it too protected or received caught flat-footed by market modifications. Proper now, the model sits at a crossroads once more, and historical past means that the following nice Mazda period will come once they cease being cautious and begin being daring.
