MAZDA

MAZDA 100TH ANNIVERSARY

100 Years Timeline
Chapter 2
Reconstruction after war - Establishing a three-wheel truck mass production system
On Aug. 6, 1945, the city of Hiroshima was devastated by the atomic bomb. Located 5km away from the center of the bombing, the damage to Toyo Kogyo’s building was limited. While also cooperating to reconstruct the local community by tending to the victims and space in company buildings for administrative bodies of the prefecture to operate, Toyo Kogyo began working hard toward the resumption of production for their own products. Starting with the sale of an innovative 1-ton capacity vehicle in 1950, Toyo Kogyo became a leading brand in terms of upsized three-wheeled trucks, improving their performance and pursuing great design. The company’s production system was also improved, increasing the monthly output of 500 units in the post war period to 3,000 units in 1953, when a large-scale relocation and expansion of the production plant was completed. Furthermore, Toyo Kogyo concluded technology alliances with leading overseas companies and actively introduced advanced casting and surface treatment technologies, as a strategic investment toward entering the four-wheeled truck and passenger vehicle markets in the near future. Incorporating the results from the investment, Mazda three-wheeled trucks gained competitive pull and secured the industry’s top market share.
1946
Jan.
Resumes production of rock drills and tools
Feb.
Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. labor union is formed
1948
Nov.
Monthly production of 500 units for three-wheel trucks is achieved
1949
Apr.
Starts sale of three-wheel truck Type-GB
Aug.
Resumes production of three-wheel trucks for India
Oct.
Fulfilled plan to establish one sales company in each prefecture of Japan
Implements monthly-installment sales system for three-wheel trucks
1950
Jan.
History book issued to commemorate Toyo Kogyo's 30-year long history
Apr.
Starts sale of three-wheel passenger car Type-PB
May
Starts sale of rock drills developed completely in-house, including TY24 jack hammer and TY44 light drifter
Jun.
Starts sale of four-wheel truck Type CA with 1t capacity
Sep.
Starts sale of three-wheel truck Type CT with 1t capacity
1951
Jan.
New Mazda logo:
Aug.
Launches a traveling, after-sales service country-wide
Dec.
Tsuneji Matsuda becomes the third president, Jujiro Matsuda becomes the chairman
1952
Apr.
Factories designated to be the object of reparations after the ware are exonerated
Sep.
Starts selling cemented carbide bits and rods
Oct.
Type-CTL1 with 2t capacity completes a non-stop run from Hiroshima to Tokyo
1953
Mar.
Completed move and expansion work of three-wheel truck plant, increasing monthly production capacity to 3,000 units
Oct.
Kingoro's journey from Hiroshima to Tokyo with a three-wheel truck as part of a PR campaign
1954
Apr.
Participates in the first All Japan Motor Show
Sep.
Signs an agreement with Acme Resin for resin coated sand production technology
Introduction of punched card system
Oct.
Updates all three-wheel truck models at the same time
1955
Nov.
Starts production of Japan's first TY24-LD leg rock drill
Dec.
Holds a ceremony for the first usage of a continuous gas carburizing furnace
Starts selling Toyo Coated Sand for shell molding
1956
Jun.
Establishes mass production system for foundry with shell mold method
Sep.
First victory at Japan's corporate soccer championship
Starts production of T-111-type automatic precision internal grinding machine
1957
Jan.
Cumulative production of vehicles reaches 200,000 units
Aug.
Starts sale of Type-HBR 2t three-wheel truck with round steering wheel
Oct.
Installs first transfer machine
Nov.
Completes construction of Miyajimaguchi Guest Palace
Starts sale of Type-MAR 1t three-wheel truck with round steering wheel
1958
Apr.
Starts sale of Romper, four-wheel light truck
Jun.
Ignition ceremony held at the new forging plant in Fuchizaki district
Nov.
Establishes technical alliance with Founir Institute of Technology to manufacture liquid resin, shell molds and shell mold cores
1959
Mar.
Starts sale of D1100 and D1500 four-wheel trucks featuring a water-cooled engine
Jun.
Starts sale of T600 small three-wheel truck
Establishes technical alliance with Canadian Nickel Products Company to manufacture ductile cast iron
Jul.
A new "m" design symbol mark is launched
Aug.
Completion of a new factory manufacturing rock drills in Fuchizaki area
Sep.
Completion of a resin manufacturing plant and production of coated sand goes 100% domestic
Oct.
Starts sale of T1100 and T1500 three-wheel trucks featuring a water-cooled engine