Mazda Motor Corporation (マツダ株式会社, Matsuda Kabushiki-gaisha) (TYO: 7261) is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Hiroshima, Japan.

As of 2006, the company is expected to produce 1.25 million vehicles per year, with sales evenly divided among Japan, Europe, Australia, and North America, followed by Latin America.

The name of the company is supposedly derived from Ahura Mazda, the transcendental god of Zoroastrianism. It is also said that Mazda coincides with the anglicized pronunciation of the founder's name, Jujiro Matsuda, who was interested in spirituality, and chose to rename it in honor of both his family and the Zoroastrians. Mazda means "great wisdom" in the Iranian Avestan language. However, in Japanese, the company has always been pronounced and spelled as "Matsuda" leading many to believe that Mazda is really just a poorly anglicized version of the founder's name. (It comes to English by way of German, Mazda being pronounced Mats'da in German.)

Mazda began as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd, founded in Japan in 1920. Toyo Cork Koygo renamed itself to Toyo Koygo Co., Ltd. in 1927. Toyo Kogyo moved from manufacturing machine tools to vehicles, with the introduction of the Mazda-Go in 1931. Toyo Kogyo produced weapons for the Japanese military throughout the Second World War, most 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.

The Ford Motor Company had owned 15% of Mazda, and its stake was increased to a 33.4% controlling interest on 31 March 1999 after Mazda fell into financial crisis. Ford executive Mark Fields is credited with Mazda's turnaround. Ford has based many of its models on Mazdas, such as the Probe, late model (North American) Escortand Mercury Tracer, and the co-developed Escape/Mazda Tribute.

Mazda also helped Ford develop the 1991 Explorer, which Mazda sold as the 2-door only Mazda Navajo (1991–1994). Ironically, Mazda's version was unsuccessful, while the Ford (available as a 4-door or 2-door) instantly became the best selling SUV and kept that title for over a decade. Mazda has used Ford's Ranger pickup as the basis for its North American-market B-Series trucks, starting in 1994 and continuing today. These trucks are manufactured in the US. They now use a Mazda-sourced 2.3L I4 instead of the old Ford Lima 2.3L I4. Both 3.0L(discontinued after 2007 model year) and 4.0L Ford V6s are available, as is 4-wheel drive and a 4-door (albeit with the clamshell style rear doors, not a true 4-door crew cab as offered by GM, Nissan, and even Ford with the Sport Trac).

The 1979 deal paved way for Ford selling badge-engineered Mazdas in Asia and Australia, such as the Laser and Telstar. These models replaced the models from Ford Europe sold throughout the 1970s. Ford also used the Mazda models to establish its own retail presence in Japan – the Autorama dealers sold these cars, plus the occasional Ford US and Ford Europe models. The badge-engineered models came to an end in the early 21st century, as Ford replaced the Laser with its own Focus, and Telstar with its own Mondeo.

The reverse also happened, with Mazda selling badge-engineered Fords in Europe, such as the Mazda 121 based on the Ford Fiesta. Ford and Mazda have moved onto collaboration in a more fundamental sense, by way of platform sharing.

Mazda has used a number of different marques in the Japan market, including Autozam, Eunos cars, and Efini, although they have been phased out. This diversification stressed the product development groups at Mazda past their limits. Instead of having a half-dozen variations on any given platform, they were asked to work on dozens of different models. And consumers were confused as well by the explosion of similar new models.

Today, the former marques exist in Japan as sales channels (specialized dealerships) but no longer have specialized branded vehicles. In other words, the Carol is sold at the Autozam store (which specializes in small cars), but it is sold with the Mazda marque, not as the Autozam Carol as it once was.

In early 1992 Mazda almost created a luxury marque, Amati, to challenge Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus in North America, and was to begin selling in late 1993. The initial Amati products would have been the Amati 500 (which became the Mazda Millenia), and the Amati 1000 (a new rear wheel drive V12 successor to the Mazda 929). This never happened, leaving the near-luxury Millenia to the Mazda brand.

In Europe, the equivalent Xedos marque was associated with two vehicles, the Xedos 6 and Xedos 9, but it unfortunately lasted just a few years. Xedos didn't have a special logo afixed to the grille and trunklid, however. The Mazda badge from the years 1992-1997 was used instead.


Demio/2

The Demio (also sold as the Mazda 121, Mazda Metro, Mazda2 and Ford Festiva Mini Wagon) is a small minivan or tall station wagon which debuted in 1996. As of 2005, 892,000 Demios had been sold worldwide since introduction.

The New Mazda 2 is the first of Mazda's Zoom-Zoom cars to receive an upgrade. The New Mazda2 is also a radical departure from the 2002 model. It abandons the practical and boxy shape and replaces it with a more sleek body. The Demio is expected to be revamped for the 2007 model year, with the sporty MicroSport coupe added for Europe and Japan. Mazda has announced that the next generation of the car, referred to as "the next sub compact, B-segment Mazda", will not be manufactured in Valencia, Spain, but in Hiroshima, Japan. It will feature either an MZR 1.35 liter engine, or a larger MZR 1.5 liter engine. Additionally, Mazda has released information regarding a Mazda2 MPS model with a direct-injection Turbo engine and all-wheel-drive. Photos of the new Mazda2 can be seen in Mazda's pertinent press release.

Mazda has already announced that the sedan verion of Mazda2 will be produced for the Chinese market by Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. at its Nanjing plant. The car will go on sale in the first half of 2008.


Axela/3

The Mazda Axela is a compact car manufactured by the Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan. Outside of its home market, it is marketed as the Mazda 3 (spelled "Mazda3" in North American and European marketing). The Axela was introduced for the 2004 model year, replacing the Mazda Familia (323 or Protegé in export markets). A more "performance-oriented" version of the Mazda 3 is marketed as Mazdaspeed 3 in North America.

The Mazda 3 has been very well-received in all markets. In 2006 the 3 was the second best-selling car in Canada and the best selling car in Israel during 2005-2007. Mazda is increasing production of the 3 at its Hofu 1 and 2 factories to meet heavy worldwide demand of over 300,000 units per year.



Premacy/5

The MAZDA5 (currently called Mazda Premacy in its home market and formerly in Europe) is a compact MPV built by the Japanese manufacturer Mazda since 1999. The first generation Premacy was built in Japan and exported to Europe and Asia. A re-badged version was sold by Ford in a few Asian markets (including Japan) as the Ford Ixion or Ford MAV. The second generation is sold outside of Japan as the MAZDA5. Ford Lio Ho in Taiwan, which assembles Mazda 5 for the local market, adapted a re-badged version as the Ford i-MAX in 2007. As of March 31, 2005, 285,258 Premacy and MAZDA5 models had been sold worldwide.

The first generation Premacy was a 2 or 3-row, 5 or 7-passenger vehicle, while the second generation adds a third row of seats for up to 6 passengers in American form, and 7 passengers outside the United States. Both generations were true vans with near-flat floors, folding or removable 2nd row, and fold-flat rear seats.


Atenza/6

The Mazda 6 or Mazda Atenza is a mid-size car produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Mazda since 2002. The name Atenza is used only in Japan with the Mazda 6 moniker used everywhere else in the world. The Atenza/Mazda 6 replaced the Capella/626, and has sold over one million units worldwide since its introduction, meaning it reached the one million mark faster than any previous Mazda.

The Mazda Atenza was the first of the new generation of 'Stylish', 'Insightful', and 'Spirited' range from Mazda. It was followed by the Mazda 2 in December 2002, RX-8 in August 2003, Mazda3 in January 2004, MX-5 in October 2005, and Mazda CX-7 in November 2006.

The Mazda Atenza is currently raced in the SCCA Pro Racing Speed World Challenge Touring Car Series. Mazda finished first in the manufacturer's championship standings. Mazda Atenza/6 drivers also finished first and second in the Touring Car driver points.


MPV

The Mazda MPV is an MPV (minivan) manufactured by Mazda. It was introduced in 1989 as a rear wheel drive model and was replaced in 2000 with a more modern front wheel drive version. Over 1 million MPV models had been produced since its introduction.

On February 2, 2006, the third generation Mazda MPV went on sale in Japan as a model year 2007 car. It is powered by either a 4 cylinder MZR 2.3 naturally aspirated engine or 4 cylinder MZR 2.3 Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) turbo engine.

The third generation MPV is currently available only in Japan and Hong Kong.



MX-5/Miata/Roadster

The Mazda MX-5, also known as Miata (pronounced /miːˈɑːtə/) in North America and Roadster (pronounced [ɺ̠odosɯta]) in Japan, is a sports car built by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan, since 1989. Its introduction was a significant development in the motor car industry that revived the roadster segment of sports cars, with other companies promptly introducing roadsters to their model ranges, such as the MG F, and the third-generation Toyota MR2.

There have been three generations of the MX-5, consisting of major stylistic and mechanical upgrades. The first generation, designated NA, sold over 400,000 units. It was produced from 1989 to 1993 with a 1.6-liter straight-4 engine, and from 1994-1997 with a 1.8-liter engine. The NA can be recognized by its distinctive pop-up headlights. The second generation (NB) was introduced in 1998 with a slight increase in engine power; it can be recognized by the fixed headlights, and the glass rear window. The third generation (NC) was introduced in 2005 with a 2.0-liter engine; it can be recognized by the fender bulges over the wheel wells.



RX-8

The Mazda RX-8 is a sports car manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation. It first appeared in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the successor to the RX-7 and, like its predecessors in the RX range, it is powered by a rotary engine. The RX-8 began North American sales as 2004 model year car.

The RX-8 was designed as a front mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupé. The car has a near 50:50 weight distribution, achieved by mounting the engine behind the front axle and the gas tank ahead of the rear axle. Weight is trimmed through the use of materials such as aluminium (hood & rear doors), and a carbon fiber composite driveshaft on the manual gearbox car; designed to reduce rotational mass connected to the engine. The rest of the body is steel, save for the plastic front and rear bumpers.

The car features a pair of rear-hinged "freestyle" doors (similar to suicide doors)in order to provide easier access to the rear seats. The RX-8 has no B-pillar between the front and rear doors, with the leading edge of the rear door acting as a "virtual pillar" to maintain structural rigidity. Because of the overlapping design, the rear doors can only be opened when the front doors are open.


CX-7

The CX-7 is a mid-size crossover SUV model from Mazda, the production version of the MX-Crossport concept car. The CX-7 is built in Hiroshima, Japan, starting in early 2006. The CX-7 was shown publicly for the first time at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show in January. Production officially began on February 20 at Mazda's Ujina#2 factory in Hiroshima. The CX-7 went on sale in spring 2006 as a 2007 model. It competes against the redesigned Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mitsubishi Outlander, as well as newcomers such as the Acura RDX and Ford Edge. It is also Mazda's first mid-size SUV since the Navajo was discontinued in 1994.

The CX-7 receives an all-new platform instead of sharing the Ford/Mazda CD3 platform used by the larger Mazda CX-9/Ford Edge/Lincoln MKX crossovers as well as the Mazda6. It uses the front suspension of the Mazda MPV minivan, with the rear suspension from the Mazda5. Many of the all wheel drive components come from the Mazdaspeed 6. It shares its turbocharged engine with the Mazdaspeed6. The only available transmission will be a 6-speed automatic in most countries. The CX-7 currently slots between the Tribute and CX-9.


Tribute

The Mazda Tribute (Code J14) is a compact SUV made by Japanese automaker Mazda since 2001. It is jointly developed with Ford Motor Company and based on the front-wheel drive Mazda 626 platform, which is in turn the basis for the similar Ford Escape on the CD2 platform. The Tribute is priced below the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner in Ford's CD2 SUV lineup.

The Tribute and Escape debuted in 2001, offering front and all wheel drive and a choice of a 2.0 L Ford Zetec 4-cylinder or Ford Duratec 3.0 L V6. Ford Escape was also sold as the Ford Maverick in Europe with a Ford 2.0 L I4 Zetec engine with manual transmission, or 3.0 L Duratec coupled to automatic transmission.

One main difference between the Tribute and the Ford Escape/Maverick is that the Tribute's suspension is tuned for a firmer ride than the Escape/Maverick, in order to correspond with Mazda's sporty image.


B-Series

Mazda has sold two entirely different compact pickup trucks under the B-Series name. The basic B-Series, like many vehicles, is named for its engine displacement. For example, the B2300 used a 2300 cc engine, while the B4000 used a much larger 4000 cc engine.

The B-Series line began in Japan in 1961 with the B1500 and continues to this day, though it is no longer available in the home market of Japan. The line split in 1994, with the North American B-Series becoming a rebadged Ford Ranger and the international version continuing development as a Mazda. Confusingly, the Mazda truck is sold with the Ford Ranger name in many markets. An offshoot SUV, the Ford Everest, is also produced. The B-series is also sold as the Bravo in some markets, including Australia.


BT-50

The BT-50 (model code J97M) is a 1-ton pickup truck from Mazda. It is a larger version of the predecessor B-Series/Ford Ranger pickup and is not sold in the North American market. The BT-50 was launched at the Bangkok Motor Show on March 22, 2006. It shares its Duratorq/MZR-CD 2.5 L and 3.0 L Diesel straight-4 engines with the Ranger. In late November 2006, the new 5-Speed automatic transmission with BorgWarner transfer case has been added, as well as side airbags.


CX-9

The Mazda CX-9 is a full-size crossover SUV, also described as a "modern station wagon", built by Mazda. It replaced the Mazda MPV minivan for North America. The CX-9 was unveiled on April 13, 2006 at the New York International Auto Show and went on sale in February 2007. The CX-9 competes with the Toyota Highlander, Nissan Murano, Hyundai Veracruz, Honda Pilot, Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave.

The CX-9 is built on the Ford CD3 Platform. Although it is similar in appearance to the smaller Mazda CX-7, the CX-9 shares little of that vehicle's platform components. It is a front-wheel drive vehicle with an optional four-wheel drive system.

The CX-9 is manufactured at Mazda's Ujina 1 plant in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

도요타 자동차 전체 라인업의 최고급 모델인 "크라운"이 13세대로 체인지 되었습니다.
전반적인 스타일링은 2007년 도쿄모터쇼에서 선보인 크라운 하이브리드 컨셉트카와 같습니다.





기존의 로얄살롱과 스포츠 버젼인 애슬렛과 더불어 지난 2007년 도쿄모터쇼에서 선보인 하이브리드모델을 추가했습니다. 
로얄 살롱은 2월 18일에 애슬렛과 하이브리드는 5월 6일에 추가로 선보일 예정이라고 합니다. 



  플랫폼은 기존의 플랫폼을 그대로 이용하며, 넓이와 함께 길이가 약간씩 늘어나는데 그쳤습니다. 전체크기는 길이 4870mm (+30) *  1,795mm (15 ±) × 1470mm (0) 입니다. 전체적으로는 도요타의 가장 최고 모델임에도 불구하고 국산차와 비교할 때 사이즈가 작습니다. 



 그릴 디자인을 차의 성격에 맞게 다르게 적용하였고, 범퍼와 에어로 파츠를 통해 세부적인 디자인을 변경하여 적용하였습니다. 
각 각의 버젼은 로얄살롱은 전반적으로 차분하고 고급스러움을, 애슬렛은 스포츠세단의 이미지를, 하이브리드는 정교한 느낌을 주고 있습니다. 


 
 인테리어는 도요타의 차들이 그러하듯이 정 가운데의 센터페시아를 기준으로 좌우가 정확히 나뉜 형태이고 선대 모델에 비해서 그렇게 더 좋아보이지는 않아보입니다. 지난 여름 일본에서 로얄살롱을 탔었을때 욷그레인이 너무 광택이 많이나서 저렴해 보였으나 이번 신형은 우드그레인 광택을 줄여서 번덕거리진 않아보입니다. 또한 시트는 편안함을 줄 수 있는 두꺼운 쿠션으로 처리하였으며 정교한 스티칭으로 도요타 디비젼의 최고급 모델임을 보여줍니다. 시트에는 전 좌석 열선시스템이 적용 되었고 모델에 따라 통풍기능도 장착됩니다. 또한 뒷좌석에서 조수석을 자유자재로 조향 할 수 있도록 설계되었습니다. 쇼퍼드리븐을 지향하는 모델으로서 뒷좌석에 다양한 편의장비를 장착한 점도 빼놓지 않았습니다. 이 부분은 현재 국산 최고급 차량이 더 많은 옵션이 장착되어 있다고 생각됩니다.




엔진은 기존의 215마력의 2.5 리터 v6엔진 그리고 256마력의 3.0 리터 v6에 렉서스 GS350에 적용되는 315마력의 3.5 리터 v6엔진이 추가 적용됩니다. 듀얼 vvt(가변 밸브 타이밍 메커니즘) 기술이 이번에도 적용 됩니다. 트랜스미션은 수동 조절이 가능한 6단 오토매틱 트랜스미션이 장착됩니다.



 하이브리드를 기반으로 설정할 수 애슬렛은 3.5 리터 v6 엔진을 튜닝하여 장착됩니다. GS450h에 적용되는 니켈 - 수소 전지 하이브리드 시스템과 결합하고 최대 345마력으로 튜닝 된 다고합니다. 연비는 리터당 15.8km입니다. 

 모니터에서 드라이버의 졸음 운전을 감지 경고하는 시스템이 장착되었습니다. 스티어링 휠에 장착 된 카메라가 아래쪽과 위쪽 눈꺼풀을 모니터하여 졸음경고 신호를 보낸다고 합니다. 기존의 차선감지 시스템에서 한층 업그레이드된 시스템이라고 할 수 있겠습니다. 도요타는 월 5500여대의 크라운을 목표로 하고 있다고 합니다.