MAZDA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF DEFYING CONVENTION

On May 30, 1967, Mazda Motor Corporation began its legacy of doing what was said couldn’t be done. This was the day the independent Japanese company started to sell the Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S—the world’s first production twin-rotor, rotaryengine car.

It was Mazda’s first sports car, and for a company more well known for its small passenger cars and work trucks up to that date, this was a huge step into the big leagues.

Mazda—then Toyo Kogyo Corporation—needed to create a unique technology that would differentiate it among a rapidly globalizing Japanese automotive industry in order to stay independent. In 1961, Mazda licensed NSU Motorenwerke AG and Wankel GmbH’s rotary engine technology, sharing learn- ings with the German companies in hopes of making wider use of the engine. Using its engineering might, Mazda worked hard on making rotary engine technology work. It had wagered its entire existence on this and failure would not be an option.

Mazda never stopped challenging its engineers and designers to keep improving their craft. Eventually, those efforts would spawn championshipwinning motorsports programs all over the world, as well as lead the way for subsequent sports cars that focused on lightweight performance over brute strength.

The highest point of Mazda’s development of the rotary engine was in 1991, when the quad-rotor-powered Mazda 787B won the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“The spirit to innovate, challenge and defy convention lives on in every Mazda product we offer to our customers,” shares Steven Tan, president and CEO of Bermaz Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country.

He adds, “Mazda has always prided itself in being at the forefront of driving technology. Our current SKYACTIV lineup is a direct product of this ingrained culture that pushes the boundaries of engineering to deliver more efficient and exciting products that emotionally connect to our customers.”

Mazda continues to push technology, engineering and design thresholds to deliver cars and crossover SUVs for people who cherish driving.