Mazda produces its one millionth MX-5
The MX-5 is a symbol of Mazda's car-making philosophy and tireless pursuit of driving pleasure
POLOKWANE – Mazda Motor Corporation announced that the production of the Mazda MX-5 reached one million units on April 22, 27 years after the company began manufacturing the iconic roadster in Hiroshima in April 1989.
“From the first generation through to today’s fourth-generation model, the reason we have been able to continue selling the MX-5 all these years is due to the strong support of fans around the world,” says Mazda Motor Corporation representative director, president and CEO, Masamichi Kogai.
The MX-5 is a symbol of Mazda’s car-making philosophy and tireless pursuit of driving pleasure. Since its debut in 1989, the model has consistently offered driving fun that can only be experienced in a lightweight sports car and won the admiration of people from various countries, cultures and age groups.
The MX-5 is also critically acclaimed, with over 200 awards from around the globe to its name. The fourth-generation model released last year has won a string of awards, including 2015-2016 Car of the Year Japan, World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year 2016.
The MX-5 has held the Guinness World Record*1 for the best-selling open-top two-seater sports car for many years. With the achievement of one million units of production, Mazda will now attempt to break its own record.
History of the Mazda MX-5:
- February 1989 – Original MX-5 debuts at Chicago Auto Show
- October 1997 – Second-generation MX-5 debuts at Tokyo Motor Show
- December 1998 – Tenth anniversary Limited Edition MX-5 launched
- May 2000 – Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s best selling two-seater sports car with 531 890 units produced
- January 2002 – Production reaches 600,000 units (Guinness World Record updated)
- March 2005 – Third-generation MX-5 debuts at Geneva International Motor Show
- April 2005 – Production reaches 700 000 units (Guinness World Record updated)
- July 2006 – Retractable hardtop model debuts at British International Motor Show
- January 2007 – Production reaches 800 000 units (Guinness World Record updated)
- July 2009 – 20th Anniversary Limited Edition MX-5 launched
- February 2011 – Production reaches 900 000 units (Guinness World Record updated)
- April 2014 – 25th Anniversary Edition MX-5 launched
- September 2014 – Fourth-generation MX-5 debuts
- March 2016 – Mazda MX-5 RF debuts at New York International Auto Show.
