Mazda, History, efforts SkyActiv Environment, Technology, Motorsport
History

 

The History of Mazda

Mazda Motor Corporation is a Japanese car manufacturer that operates in various automotive markets around the world. Mazda is based in the Fuchu Aki district in Hiroshima, Japan. The majority of their vehicles are produced and assembled in their Japan based plants. They are then distributed worldwide to places where Mazda operates. Aside from the vehicles produced in Japan, Mazda also operates several assembly plants throughout the globe. Every unit produced in these facilities is distributed directly to their respective markets for sale.

Mazda during its earliest foundation and the Second World War

Mazda's earliest roots are traced back to the year 1920, when its founder Jujiro Matsuda and a small group of investors acquired a small company called, Toyo Cork Kogyo. Toyo Cork Kogyo manufactured machine tools for domestic sales. In 1927, the company changed its name into Toyo Kogyo Co. Ltd. Slowly, but surely, Toyo Kogyo's operation gradually shifted from producing machine tools to the production of vehicles.

The shift in production resulted to the introduction of a three-wheeled truck, called the Mazda-Go in 1931. Aside from producing this vehicle, Toyo Kogyo was also involved in the manufacturing of military weapons used by the Japanese military. These weapons were used in the Second World War, particularly the Type 99 rifle series 30 to 35.

Mazda after the Second World War

After the Second World War, Mazda continued producing vehicles under the name Toyo Kogyo. But, this was subsequently changed to "Mazda" in 1984. According to the company's website, this name was derived from "Ahura Mazda", a Persian-Zoroastrianism God. However, most automotive historians also believe that the company's name was derived from its founder "Jujiro Matsuda." These claims still remain unverified, even up till today. Another question that goes unanswered, is why most of the company's earliest vehicles carried the name "Mazda", even-though the change of name was not yet implemented during those times.

Mazda's popularity started to grow in 1960 when the company introduced its first real car, which was the Mazda R360. The Mazda R360 was a 4-seat, 2-door coupe, powered by a rear mounted air-cooled 356 cc V-twin engine. This engine was mated to either a 4-speed manual transmission or a 2-speed automatic transmission. That engine was capable of producing a maximum power output of up to 16 horsepower and 16 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine was capable of producing a top speed of about 52mph.

Aside from producing vehicles, Mazda's operation also involved the development of the Wankel rotary engine. The company's focus on developing this engine was basically triggered by Mazda's desire to use this technology as a means of differentiating itself from other Japanese car manufacturers. Mazda's efforts and resources used in developing the rotary engine eventually gained positive results. The company started selling the newly-developed engine in 1962. Five years later, Mazda released the limited edition Cosmo Sport. This 1967 sport was powered by Mazda's rotary engine. This type of engine was also used in the current RX-8 engine. These events titled Mazda as the sole car manufacturer engaged in the production of the Wankel engines.

Mazda's development and use of the rotary engine in the R100 and the RX Series increased the company's exports a great deal. The increase in exports was eventually followed by Mazda's expansion in other areas of the world. In 1968 Mazda started its formal operations in Canada. Two years after, Mazda began its operations in the American market and became very successful. As a result of its success in America, Mazda produced the Mazda Rotary Pickup, which was offered for North American buyers only.

The success of Mazda in the American and world markets, brought about by the growing demands for the rotary engine, suffered a major setback in 1973 when the "oil crisis" occurred. Fortunately, the company did not fully abandon the production of vehicles equipped with piston-powered engines. These vehicles saved Mazda complete collapse. As a result, the 4-cylinder powered models, such as the Mazda Familia and the Mazda Capella series, became very important during those times.

Despite the decline in demand for vehicles with rotary engines, Mazda was able to find a way to use them in some of their models. Instead of installing the rotary engine, Mazda has used them in sports cars. The Mazda RX-7 became the first recipient of this strategy in 1978, and was followed by the modern version RX-8. The company had also focused its attention in developing small and lightweight sports cars with powerful piston-powered engine. Mazda's efforts to develop this type of sports car resulted in the production of the Mazda Roadster or popularly known as the Miata, in 1989. The Mazda Roadster was then given credit for reviving the existence of small sports cars, which started to decline in the later parts of the `70s.

Mazda-Ford Partnership

Mazda Motor Corporation developed a partnership with Ford Motor Company when Mazda experienced financial turmoil in the 1960s. Ford became a willing investor and the American car manufacturer earned a 7% financial stake in 1979, which had then increased to 27% during the `80s. Since Mazda had been suffering from financial difficulties, Ford continued to acquire some of the company's stakes, and in 1996 Ford was able to gain 33.4% of Mazda's financial stakes. These stakes, however, were sold by Ford in 2008, when the American car manufacturer was struck by the negative effects of the world financial crisis. As a result, Ford reduced its involvement with Mazda's operation, which eventually allowed the Japanese car maker to handle its own affairs and engage the global automobile market with the utmost independence.

Aside from acquiring Mazda's financial stakes, Ford was also involved in several projects with its newly established partner. Most of these projects were focused on the development of smaller cars and pickups. Aside from this, Mazda had also shared some of its resources with Ford. The Mazda Familia shared its platform with several Ford models, such as the Escort and the Laser. Mazda Capella's architecture was also used in Ford's Probe sports model and the Telstar sedan.

In addition to this, Mazda had also helped Ford develop some of its own vehicles, including the Ford Explorer in 1991. In fact, Mazda also sold a similar vehicle called the Mazda Navajo, but its sales became a failure. As a result, the Japanese car maker decided to discontinue sales of the Navajo. Mazda had also used the Ford Ranger as a base for its B-Series trucks. These trucks were sold in the North American market from 1994 to 2010. Due to poor sales, Mazda decided to discontinue the production of the B-Series as-well.

Mazda and Ford's partnership started to weaken when the Japanese car maker was headed by several presidents, such as Henry Wallace in 1996, James Miller in 1997, and Mark Field, who was a Ford executive, in 1999. Under Field's leadership, Mazda had started expanding its product line-up and marked the start of Mazda's independence from Ford. The global economic crisis further weakened the alliance between the two companies and Ford then sold its part of the stakes on Mazda. In November 2010, Ford's financial stake on Mazda was reduced to merely 3%, and this allowed Mazda to pursue its own interests and enhance its growth in the emerging markets. The partnership between the two companies is currently confined to several joint ventures and some technological information exchange.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marty_Bay

 The Tale of the Mazda Protege

Also known as the Mazda Familia in Japan, the Mazda Protege has gone through various forms and various names. Like in South Africa, this vehicle is known as the Mazda etude. In truth, the Mazda Protege, the Mazda GLC, and the Mazda 323 is just one vehicle. They are one and the same. Changes had only been made to its name and of course, there were little furnishings here and there. However, for most, all these point to one vehicle which is the Mazda Protege. These Mazda Protege vehicles are built in Japan. However, the assembly is done on various countries which include Taiwan, Malaysia, South Africa, Colombia, and in New Zealand.

The Mazda Protege is a subcompact car that is produced by the Mazda Motor Corporation which has its headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan. This vehicle, has been introduced to the United States. To actually tackle information about the Mazda Protege per se, it would be quite a difficult task for there are areas which overlap each other. The name Mazda Protege actually was used starting from 2004. Come the year 2004, use of this name was stopped and was later on replaced by the Mazda 3 which was actually a Ford based vehicle line. That might be the fact behind the Mazda 3, however, Mazda still did give some contributions to this.

Because the Mazda Protege was built in Japan, it was actually sold much more expensive than its competitors which were the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. And since its introduction, it became a favorite among US car magazines. This was due to the Mazda Protege's reputation for bearing, delivering, and providing a spirited handling. This vehicle was the very first small Japanese car to cross over to the EPA "compact" class. Later on, the Mazda Protege became the basis of other vehicles like the Ford Laser and the Ford Meteor which were actually marketed in Asia, and Australia, and also the For Escort which was also marketed in the United States and the rest of North America.

The Mazda Protege was also known to boast of a European-inspired styling. Aside from having a spirited handling, the Mazda Protege also holds a very comfortable interior, a smooth driving experience as well as grandiose features. It was made available in three trim levels which comprised of the ES, the LX, and the DX. The ES came equipped with a 1.8 liter engine with four cylinders. It was capable of providing 122 horsepower, and the trim level also held bigger front disc brakes and quality standard equipments. As per the other two trim levels, the LX and the DX, both were powered by the very same 1.6 liter engine with four cylinders. It was very much capable of creating an output of 105 units of horsepower. For all three trim levels, made standard was a five speed manual transmission system and given as an option was a four speed automatic transmission system. Other features for this vehicle include the anti lock braking system, side impact air bags, rear drum brakes and all disc brakes.

No matter what, the Mazda Protege sure has been able to perform and to deliver. And to assist Mazda and the Mazda Protege in continually providing and doing what is expected of them, Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts takes care of this amazing vehicle. They have a wide array of Mazda parts like Mazda Portege parts to pamper and maintain your precious Mazda vehicle.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberly_Meyer

Mazda began as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., founded in Hiroshima, Japan in 1920. Toyo Cork Kogyo own name to Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. in 1927. In the late 1920s the company had to be rescued from bankruptcy by Hiroshima Saving Bank and leader Other businesses in Hiroshima.
In 1931 Toyo Kogyo moved from manufacturing machine tools to vehicles with the introduction of the Mazda-Go autorickshaw. Toyo Kogyo produced weapons for the Japanese military throughout the Second World War, notably the series 30 through 35 Type 99 rifle. The company formally adopted the Mazda name in 1984, though every automobile sold from the beginning bore that name. The Mazda R360 was introduced in 1960, followed by the Mazda Carol in 1962.

Mazda Cosmo Sport

Started in 1960, Mazda was inspired by the NSU Ro 80, and decided to put a major engineering effort in the development of the Wankel rotary engine as a way to differentiate itself from other Japanese auto companies. The company established a business relationship with the German company NSU, and started with a limited production of Cosmo Sport in 1967 and continues today with the Pro Mazda Championship, Mazda has become the sole manufacturer of Wankel-type engines for the automotive market, especially by means of friction (NSU and Citroën both give in to the design during the 1970s, and efforts to General Motors Corvette prototype never made it to production.)
This effort to bring attention to themselves apparently helped, as Mazda rapidly started exporting vehicles. Both piston-powered and rotary-powered models made their way around the world. Rotary models quickly became popular for their combination of good power and light weight in comparison with competitors piston engined heavier required V6 or V8 engine to produce the same power. The R100 and RX series (RX-2, RX-3, and RX-4) led the company's export efforts.
During 1968, Mazda began official operations in Canada (MazdaCanada) although Mazdas seen in Canada since 1959. In 1970, Mazda formally entered the US market (Mazda North American Operations) and was very successful there, going so far as to create the Mazda Rotary Pickup (based on the conventional piston-powered B-Series model) solely for North American buyers. To this day, Mazda remains the only automaker to have produced a Wankel-powered pickup truck. In addition, it is also the only marque to have ever offered a rotary-powered bus (the Mazda Parkway, offered only in Japan) or station wagon (within the RX-3 line and RX-4 for the US market). After nine years of development, Mazda finally launched a new model in the United States in 1970.
Mazda rotary success continued until the 1973 oil crisis. As American buyers (as well as people in other countries) to quickly switch to vehicles with fuel efficiency better, relatively thirsty powered rotary models began to fall from favor. Combined with the most efficient automaker in Japan (in terms of productivity), inability to adjust to excess inventory and over-reliance on the US market, the company suffered heavy losses in 1975. An already heavily indebted Toyo Kogyo was on the verge of bankruptcy and only Sumitomo keiretsu saved through the intervention group, namely Sumitomo Bank, and the company subcontractors and distributors. Fortunately, the company had not actually turned on the engine piston, as it continues to produce a wide range of four-cylinder models throughout 1970. The smaller Familia lines were particularly important for Mazda sales worldwide after 1973, as did a bit bigger Capella series.

Mazda RX-7 (first generation)

Mazda refocused efforts and make a selection of rotary engines for sports riders than the main powerplant. Starting with the lightweight RX-7 in 1978 and continuing with the modern RX-8, Mazda continued dedication to this unique powerplant. This switch in focus also resulted in the development of another lightweight sports car, piston-powered Mazda Roadster (perhaps better known throughout the world as the MX-5 or Miata), inspired by the concept of 'Jinba Ittai'. Introduced in 1989 and gained recognition around the world, the Roadster has been widely credited with reviving the concept of the small sports car after a decline in the late 1970s.
A partnership with the Ford Motor Company
From 1979 to 2010, Mazda has a partnership with Ford Motor Company, which bought shares 7% in 1979 and in 1996, owned 33.3% of Mazda. Under the administration of Alan Mulally, Ford gradually divested its stake in Mazda 2008-2010, with Ford currently holds a 2.1% stake in Mazda in 2014 and decided that the most production and development relationship.

A partnership with the Ford Motor Company started because of financial difficulties Mazda during the 1960s. Started in 1979 with a 7 percent financial stake, Ford began a partnership with Mazda produces various joint projects. During the 1980s, Ford gained another 20 percent financial stake. This includes large and small efforts in all regions of the automotive landscape - especially in the realm of pickup trucks (such as the Mazda B-Series, which gave birth to the Ford Courier variant in North America in 1972) and a small car. For example, Platform Mazda Familia used for Ford models like the Laser and Escort, while the Capella architecture found its way into Ford Telstar sedan and Probe sports models. In 2002 Ford gained 5 percent additional financial stocks.

The Probe is built in a factory new Mazda company in Flat Rock, Michigan along with the mainstream 626 sedan (North American version of the Capella) and a companion Mazda MX-6 sports coupe. Ford also loaned Mazda some capacity when it is needed: the Mazda 121 sold in Europe and South Africa, for the time being, a variant of the Ford Fiesta built in plants in Europe and South Africa. Mazda is also making efforts in the past to sell some Ford cars in Japan, mainly through its Autorama dealer group.

Mazda also helped Ford develop the 1991 Explorer, which Mazda sold as the 2-door only Mazda Navajo from 1991 to 1994. Ironically, Mazda's version was unsuccessful, while the Ford (available from the start as a four-door or two-door model) instantly became the best selling sport-utility vehicles in the United States and continue titles for more than a decade. Mazda has used Ford Ranger pickup as the basis of the North American-market B-Series trucks, starting in 1994 and continuing until 2010, when his Mazda stopped importing B-Series trucks in North America, because of costs related to taxes chicken.

Mazda Millenia

After a long pull handle with alternative engine technologies, Mazda introduced the first Miller cycle engine for automotive use in the Millenia luxury sedan of 1995. Though the Millenia (and Miller-type V6 engine it) was discontinued in 2002, the company has recently introduced a Miller cycle four-cylinder engine that is smaller for use in its Demio starting in 2008. As the leadership in Wankel technology, Mazda remains (so far) only cars have been using Miller-cycle engine in the automotive realm.

2006 Mazda3

Further financial difficulties at Mazda during the 1990s (partly caused by losses associated with the Asian financial crisis of 1997) caused Ford to increase its stake to a controlling 33.4 percent in May 1996. In June 1996, Henry Wallace was appointed President, and he set about restructuring Mazda and setting the new strategic direction. He laid out a new direction for the brand, including design of the present Mazda marque; he put a new product plan to achieve synergies with Ford, and he launched Mazda digital innovation program to accelerate the development of new products. At the same time, he began to take control of overseas distributors, rationalized dealerships and manufacturing facilities, and driving much needed efficiencies and cost reductions in operations Mazda. A lot of preliminary work put Mazda back to profitability and lay the groundwork for future success. Wallace was replaced by James Miller in November 1997, followed in December 1999 by Ford executive Mark Fields, who has been credited with expanding the lineup of new Mazda products and lead changes during the early 2000s. Ford increased influence in the 1990s allowed Mazda to claim another distinction in history, having maintained the first foreign-born head of the Japanese car company, Henry Wallace.

2014 Mazda6

In the midst of the world financial crisis in the fall of 2008, there were reports that Ford has been contemplating the sale of its stake in Mazda as a way to streamline its asset base. BusinessWeek describes the alliance between Ford and Mazda has been a very successful one, with Mazda saving perhaps $ 90 million per year in development costs and Ford "several times" it, and that the sale of its stake in Mazda would be a desperate measure. On 18 November 2008, Ford announced that it would sell a 20% stake in Mazda, reducing its stake to 13.4% thus handed over the reins of the company, which is held since 1996. On the following day, Mazda announced that, as part of the deal, it bought back 6.8% of its shares of Ford for around US $ 185 million while the rest will be acquired by the company's business partners. He also reported that Hisakazu Imaki will resign as chief executive, to be replaced by Takashi Yamanouchi. On November 18, 2010, Ford reduced its stake further to 3%, citing a decrease in ownership will allow greater flexibility to pursue growth in emerging markets, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group is believed to be the largest shareholder. Ford and Mazda remain strategic partners through joint ventures and exchange of technology information.
Post Partnership with Ford
Mazda Motor Corp. (7261) collected more than 150 billion yen (US $ 1.9 billion) in sales of stock footage to raise capital because of the biggest annual loss in 11 years, part of a resume used to build a car factory in Mexico. The Mexican plant built jointly by the company and Sumitomo Corp.

Marques

Japan's Mazda dealership in Saitama, Japan

Mazda Motors square symbol based Sumitomo family crest, and is an affiliated company of the Sumitomo Group

Autozam logo

Observe logo
Mazda had previously used a number of different marques in Japan (and occasionally Australia) markets, including Autozam, Eunos, and Ẽfini, which has since been removed. Motivation brought by the market competition from other Japanese auto businesses in offering vehicles in some Japanese dealer network offered by Toyota, Nissan, and Honda. Implementation of the Mazda brand diversification reflects Japanese engineering philosophy, called Kansei engineering, which is used as an advertising slogan in North America. This selective marketing experiment ended in the mid-1990s due to economic conditions, largely due to the collapse of Japan's asset price bubble in 1991.
This diversification emphasizes product development group in the past Mazda limit. Instead of having half a dozen variations on any given platform, developers are asked to work on dozens of different models and consumers are also confused with a similar explosion of new models. One of the most bizarre sub-Marques is M2, used on three rare variants of Eunos Roadster (which M2-1001, and M2-1028 M2-1002) and one Autozam AZ-1 (M2-1015). M2 even has its corporate headquarters avant-garde itself, but closed after a very short period of operation.
Today, the former Marques was no longer in Japan as a sales channel. The Carol was sold at Autozam store (which specializes in small cars), but now sold by Mazda marque, not as Autozam Carol as it used to.
At the beginning of 1992, Mazda plans to release a luxury marque, Amati, to challenge Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus in North America, which began selling in late 1993. The initial range will include Amati Amati 500 (which becomes Eunos 800 in Japan and Australia, Mazda Millenia in the US, and Mazda Xedos 9 in Europe), a rebadged version of the Mazda Cosmo and a Amati 1000 (rear-wheel drive V12 successor to Mazda Luce). The Amati marque finally canceled before the car hit the market. It is probably just curiosity, but "Observe" is an anagram of coincidence "Miata"
In Europe, Xedos name is also associated with Mazda Xedos 6, two models were in production from 1992 to 1997. Xedos line marketed under the Mazda marque, and used Mazda badge of the year accordingly.
Emblem
Year Symbol Description
1934-1936 first listed company logo, which appears in the three-wheeled trucks in 1936.
Branding 1936-1962 first style. Three mountains (representing Hiroshima) also form the Latin alphabet letter M, which is duplicated three times for "Mazda Motor Manufacturer". Representing the long side wing extensions for agility and speed.
1962-1975 Symbols and marks the company as seen on most cars Mazda from Mazda R360 until 1975
1975-1991 Between 1975 and 1991, Mazda does not have an official symbol, just a stylized version of his name; blue "m" before the symbol is still used in some dealerships until 1980, but then in a plain blue box next to the name Mazda often used on signs and documentation agent
1991-1992 In 1991, Mazda adopted the corporate symbol representing the sun and fire stand for genuine passion. It is often referred to in the Mazda enthusiast circles as "Cylon" logo
1992-1997 Shortly after the release of a new symbol, the design was smoothed to reduce its similarity to Renault. It is sometimes referred to as the "eternal flame" logo. It also represents the Mazda rotary engine designs are known for.
1997-Present A redesigned symbol introduced in 1997. It is a stylish, winged "M" is meant to show the Mazda stretch its wings for the future.
Leadership
• Jujiro Matsuda (1921-1951)
• Tsuneji Matsuda (1952-1970)
• Kouhei Matsuda (1970-1977)
• Yoshiki Yamasaki (1977-1984)
• Kenichi Yamamoto (1984-1987)
• Masanori Furuta (1987-1991)
• Yoshihiro Wada (1991-1996)
• Henry Wallace (1996-1997, appointed by the Ford Motor Company, the first non-Japanese CEO of the Japanese car)
• James E. Miller (1997-1999)
• Mark Fields (1999-2002)
• Lewis Booth (2002-2003)
• Hisakazu Imaki (2003-2008)
• Takashi Yamanouchi (2008-2013)
• Masamichi Kogai (2013-present)

 Environmental efforts
Mazda has been conducting research on hydrogen-powered vehicles for decades. Mazda has developed a hybrid version of the Premacy compact minivan version of the signature using a rotary engine capable of running on hydrogen or gasoline. Although plans to release it in 2008, as the year 2010 vehicles in a limited test.
In 2010, Toyota and Mazda announced an agreement to supply hybrid technology used in the Toyota Prius model.
Bio-Car
Mazda is to find a number of alternative uses for various materials and substances - ranging from plastic to milk - in the vehicle, as it aims to become more environmentally friendly. Mazda introduced several innovations this - internal console bioplastics and bio-fabric seats - in its Mazda5 models in EcoInnovasia 2008, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. Up to 30% of the parts in the Mazda5 interior components made from non-biomaterials, such as Poti (gobar cow).
SkyActiv Technology
SkyActiv technology is the umbrella name for a range of technologies used in certain new Mazda vehicle. These vehicles include the Mazda2 / Demio, Mazda6 / Atenza, the CX-5 and 2014 Mazda 3. Together these technologies improve fuel economy to a level that is similar to a hybrid drivetrain. Engine output increases and reduced emission levels. This technology includes high compression ratio gasoline engine (13.0 to 1), reduced compression diesel engine (14.0 to 1) with a new two-stage turbocharger design, highly efficient automatic transmission, lighter weight manual transmission, lightweight body design and electric power steering. It is also possible to combine this technology with a hybrid drivetrain for the fuel economy greater.
Motorsport
In the world of racing, Mazda has been a great success with both signature Wankel-engine car (in two-rotor, three-rotor, and form four rotor) and piston-engine models. Mazda vehicles and engines compete in various disciplines and series around the world. More Mazdas ran every week than any other brand cars (most of this statement speaks to the success of the MX-5 / Miata and hugs widely by grass roots motor). In 2014, Mazda remains the only Japanese car to win the 24 hours of Le Mans overall.
International Competition
Mazda competition debut was on 20 October 1968 when two Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S coupes entered the 84 hour Marathon de la Route ultra-endurance race at the Nürburgring, one finishing in fourth place and others violated the shaft after 81 hours. The next year, Mazda ran Mazda Familia R100 M10A coupe. After winning the Singapore Grand Prix in April 1969 and came in fifth and sixth in the Spa 24 Hours (only lost Porsche 911s), on October 19, 1969, Mazda again entering the Nürburgring 84-hour race with four Familias. Only one of these was completed, took fifth place.
The first racing victory with a Wankel-engined cars in the United States was in 1973, when Pat Bedard won the IMSA RS race at Lime Rock Park in the Mazda RX-2.
In 1976, Ray Walle, owner of Z & W Mazda, riding Cosmo (Mazda RX-5) from a dealer in Princeton, New Jersey, to Daytona, won the Touring Class under 2.5 liters at the 24 Hours of Daytona, and drove back to New Jersey. Cosmo placed 18th overall in the field of 72. The only modification racing brake pads, exhaust, and safety equipment.
After the huge success of the Mazda RX-2 and the Mazda RX-3, the Mazda RX-7 has won more IMSA races in its class compared to other models of cars, with a hundredth victory on September 2, 1990. After that, the RX ₩ -7 class in the IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona race ten consecutive years, beginning in 1982. The RX-7 won the IMSA Grand Touring Under Two Liter (GTU) championship every year from 1980 to 1987, inclusive.

The Mazda 787B, winner of the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans race
In 1991, four-rotor Mazda 787B (2622 cc in fact, judged by the FIA ​​Formula 4708 cc) won the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race directly. 787B remains unchallenged victory, because it is the only non-piston-engined car ever win at Le Mans, and Mazda is still the only Japanese marque has won overall at Le Mans - ironically after Nissan has closed its World Sportscar Championship Program and Toyota have choose to take time off for most of 1991 in order to develop its 3.5-liter TS010. This led to a ban on a rotary engine at Le Mans racing beginning in 1992, which has since been canceled. After the 1991 race, won openly engine disassembled for internal examination, which showed that although 24 hours is very difficult to use it to accumulate a bit of wear.
Le Mans win in 1991 was followed a decade of class wins from other Mazda prototypes, including 757 and 767. Sigma MC74 powered by Mazda 12A engine is the first machine and a team from outside Western Europe or the United States to complete the entire 24-hour race of Le Mans, in 1974. Mazda also the most reliable finisher at Le Mans (with the exception of Honda, which has been incorporated only three cars in one year), with 67% of entries finishing. Mazda will return to prototype racing in 2005 with the introduction of Courage C65 LMP2 car in the American Le Mans Series race at Road Atlanta. This prototype racers use of Wankel Renesis RX-8.
Mazda has also enjoyed great success in the World Land Speed ​​competition, SCCA competition, drag racing, rally pro competition (which Familia appeared in WRC several times during the late '80s and early' 90s), the One Lap of America race (won SUVs and trucks in MazdaSpeed5), and other places. Wankel engine has been banned for some time on the international Formula One racing, and also from the United States midget racing, after Gene Angelillo won the North East Midget Racing Association championship in 1985 with a car powered by the engine 13B, and again in 1986 in a car powered by 12A engine.
Spec series
The Cooper Tires Atlantic Championship powered by Mazda is the North American open wheel racing series. This is the peak level MAZDASPEED ladder, driver development program which rewards the winner of season one level with automatic vehicle at the next level. Since 2006, the Atlantic Championship has been run exclusively by Swift 016.a chassis powered by Cosworth MZR Mazda- 2,300 cc (2.3L) DOHC inline-four engine producing 300 bhp (224 kW). The cars are capable of speeds over 175 mph (282 km / h).
Formula Mazda Racing has an open-wheel race cars with Mazda engines, adapting to both oval tracks and road courses, at some level of competition. Since 1991, the professionals organized Star Mazda Series has become the most popular formats for sponsors, spectators, and upward bound drivers. This is the second highest level in the MAZDASPEED driver development ladder. Machines for the Star Mazda series all built by one engine builder, certified to produce the prescribed strength, and sealed to prevent tampering. They are in a relatively mild state of racing in tune, so they are very reliable and can go years between the motor rebuilt.
Spec Miata has become one of the class of road racing's most popular and most affordable in North America. The Spec Miata (SM) class is intended to provide an opportunity to compete in low-cost, production-based cars with limited modification, suitable for racing competition. Rules are deliberately designed to be more open than the Showroom Stock class but more limited than Improved Touring class.
Spec racing class club RX7 also popular mainly because of the availability of the first generation RX7 cars and low startup costs. Spec RX7 (SRX7) in some areas was recorded as one of the sports car class of the most cost effective.
Sponsor

Mazda headquarters in Fuchu, Hiroshima
Mazda is the main sponsor for several professional sports teams, including:
• Team Hometown:
o Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J. League): Originally known as Toyo Kogyo Football Club was founded in 1938, it is owned directly by Mazda until 1992 when Mazda reduced its stake to professionalize the J. League club to the new.
o Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Nippon Professional Baseball): The "Toyo" part of the team name is in honor of part-ownership of Mazda team since 1968 (when it was still known as the Mazda Toyo Kogyo). The Matsuda family, descendants of the founders of the Mazda, holds a majority stake in the ownership of the team.
• Tim abroad:
o North Melbourne Football Club (Australian Football League)
o ACF Fiorentina (Italian football league - Serie A)
o Nakhon Ratchasima (Thailand football league - Yamaha League 1)
The Company also sponsors a variety of marathon and relay events in Japan, such as the Hiroshima International Peace Marathon and Hiroshima Prefectural Ekiden Race, along with a wide range of sports and other charitable efforts in Hiroshima and Hofu. Mazda also sponsors the league for the now defunct Australian Rugby Championship.
Mazda also maintain sponsorship of the Laguna Seca race course in California, going so far as to use it for its own purposes as well as automotive testing various racing events (including some Mazda series special) that the host - as well as for the 2003 launch of the Mazda RX-8.
Mazda also sponsors the Western New York Flash, a professional women's football team playing in the WPA and has some of the best players in the world, including world player of the year.
Marketing
Mazda's advertising slogan past include: "The more you look, the more you like it" (1970s to early 1980s); "Mazda Experience" (mid-1980s); "A strong commitment to total satisfaction, that the Mazda Way" (end of 1980); "It Just Feels Right" along with ads depicting Mazda usage of Kansei engineering (1990-1995); "Passion for the road" (1996); "Come in. Be moved." (1997-1999)
Since 2000, Mazda has used the phrase "Zoom-Zoom" to describe what they call the "emotion of motion" which claims inherent in the car. Very successful and durable (when compared to other automotive marketing slogan), Zoom-Zoom campaign has now spread around the world from early use in North America.
Zoom-Zoom campaign has been accompanied by a "Zoom-Zoom-Zoom" song on many television and radio advertising. The original version, which is carried out by Jibril Serapis Bey (used in advertising in Europe, Japan and South Africa), was recorded long before it became the official song for Mazda as part of the soundtrack for the film Only The Strong (released in 1993). Serapis Bey is a cover version of the traditional Capoeira songs, called "Capoeira Mata Um". In 2010, the slogan now is "Zoom Zoom Forever". The longer a slogan (Used in TV ads) is "Zoom Zoom, Today, Tomorrow, Forever".
The initial ad campaign Zoom-Zoom also features a young boy (Micah Kanters) whispering "Zoom-Zoom" tagline.
Since 2011, Mazda is using the tagline Zoom-Zoom in another campaign called "What Do You Drive?". Punchline for this is "At Mazda, we believe because if it's not worth driving, it's not worth building. We built Mazdas. What do you drive?".


Article Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda