MAZDA

In 1960, Mazda’s first passenger vehicle came off the production line of the company’s computer-controlled, cutting-edge factory. This was the company’s first big step in its endeavor to become a full-line automaker. Newly developed micromini cars produced hit after hit, making Toyo Kogyo’s annual automobile production volume the largest in Japan for three consecutive years. While expanding its product lineup of small passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, Toyo Kogyo started building critical infrastructure for business, including Ujina Plant and the Miyoshi Proving Ground. To drastically boost the company’s presence as an automobile maker, the company joined the race to develop rotary engines, often referred to as a dream engine. The introduction of the Cosmo Sport with the world’s first two-rotor rotary engine in 1967 demonstrated the company’s advanced technological prowess across the globe. It also gave strong momentum to the top-class sedan Luce for its full entry into the European market. In the 70s, regulations regarding exhaust gas emissions were tightened. However, rotary engines already had better prospects of meeting the regulations than competitors at the time, resulting in the engines gaining popularity as a low-pollution engine all around the world. As a result, Toyo Kogyo’s product strategy shifted to one centered around rotary-engine powered vehicles, and its vehicle exports to the U.S. were substantially sped up.