Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) will accelerate its research and development of rotary engines (RE) that are adapted to the new era in its efforts to continue to deliver the joy of cars through solutions that are appropriate for the times toward the realization of carbon-neutral society.
Electric Drive Unit of Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV
The ‘RE Development Group’ has been reinstated in Powertrain Technology Development Department of Powertrain Development Division on February 1, 2024, preluding a sequel of the RE story. The new RE Development Group will continue to evolve RE used as generators, and will conduct research and development in areas such as regulatory compliance in major markets as well as the application of carbon-neutral fuels.
Commenting on the move, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer, and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Ichiro Hirose said, “In Mazda’s history, the rotary engine is a special symbol of our ‘challenger spirit.’ We are deeply grateful to all those who have supported RE to date, and are pleased to announce the rebirth of the organization that develops RE, the engine that has been loved by customers around the world. For the last six years, RE engineers have been part of the engine development organization where they engaged in the development of state-of-the-art internal combustion engine functions as well as the ultimate improvement in efficiency. Those engineers have broadened their perspective beyond the boundaries of engine systems, and have trained themselves to master the ‘Model-Based Development,’ which is one of Mazda’s engineering strengths. This time, 36 engineers will gather in one group to make a breakthrough in the research and development of RE. In the age of electrification and in a carbon-neutral society, we promise to keep delivering attractive cars that excite customers with our ‘challenger spirit.'”
The rotary engine is an engine with a unique structure that generates power by rotating a triangular rotor. Mazda was the first to install RE in the Cosmo Sport introduced in 1967, and for many years since then, Mazda has been working to improve performance in terms of output, exhaust-gas purification, fuel economy, and durability as the only automobile manufacturer to mass-produce rotary engines. In June 2023, the company resumed mass production of vehicles with rotary engines for the first time in approximately 11 years since the end of production of the Mazda RX-8 in 2012. Currently, the Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV, the 12th model that mounts a rotary engine, has been introduced in Japan and Europe.
Mazda will continue to pursue the ‘Joy of Driving’ under its core value, “Human Centric”, and aim to deliver ‘Joy of Living’ by creating moving experiences in customers’ daily lives.
Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that total production volume of rotary engine vehicles has surpassed two million units.*
The rotary engine is an engine with a unique structure that uses rotational movement of triangular rotors to generate power. The first vehicle Mazda equipped with a rotary engine was the Mazda Cosmo Sport (Mazda 110S), introduced in 1967. From there, Mazda continued to refine the performance of their rotary engines, making improvements to output, fuel economy, and durability, and maintaining their position as the only automaker mass-producing rotary engines for many years. In June this year, Mazda resumed production of rotary engine vehicles for the first time in eleven years after having ended production of the Mazda RX-8 in 2012 and is set to begin sales of their twelfth rotary engine vehicle, the Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV, in the coming days.
Takeshi Mukai, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer at Mazda, made the following statement in response to reaching two million total production units.
“The rotary engine is a special part of Mazda history and represents our ‘never-stop challenging spirit.’ The rotary engine is much loved by customers around the world, and we are excited to resume production and see it make a comeback. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us on this journey—in particular, the many customers who have purchased rotary engine vehicles, our rotary engine fans, and all our business partners who were involved in development and production. Moving forward, we will continue to pass on this ‘never-stop challenging spirit,’ offering attractive vehicles that provide our customers with an exciting driving experience even in the age of electrification.”
Mazda will continue to pursue the ‘Joy of Driving’ under its core value, ‘Human Centric,’ and aim to deliver ‘Joy of Living’ by creating moving experiences in customers’ daily lives.
Mazda Rotary Engine Timeline
July 1961
Technical tie-up with NSU and Wankel
May 1967
Completion of the rotary engine announced and Mazda Cosmo Sport(Mazda 110S) launches
July 1968
Mazda Familia Rotary coupe (Mazda R100 coupe) launches
October 1969
Mazda Luce Rotary coupe (Mazda R130 coupe) launches
May 1970
Mazda Capella Rotary series (Mazda RX-2) launches
September 1971
Mazda Savanna (Mazda RX-3) launches
November 1972
2nd Generation Mazda Luce Rotary series (Mazda RX-4) launches
June 1973
Total rotary engine vehicle production volume reaches 500,000
Mazda Motor Corporation today unveiled the MAZDA ICONIC SP, a new concept car for the first time at Japan Mobility Show 2023.(1)
MAZDA ICONIC SP is a new type of compact sports car concept, designed to adopt to the new era and respond to the emotions of customers who “love cars” and “desire a car that simply embodies the joy of driving”. This powertrain features Mazda’s unique two-rotor rotary EV system, which remains compact and thus offers a high degree of layout flexibility, enabling the concept model to have a low center of gravity to enhance driving performance. Batteries are charged by recyclable energy source and the two-rotor rotary engine, used for power generation, is powered by carbon-neutral fuel. The vibrant red color of Viola Red, is a concept color created by overlaying Mazda’s corporate philosophy of “enrich life-in-motion for those we serve” based on Mazda’s desire to “cherish the color red.”
Masahiro Moro, Mazda’s Representative Director, President and CEO made the following comment: “Mazda will always deliver vehicles that remind people that cars are pure joy and an indispensable part of their lives. As a car-loving company that mass-produces the inspiring mobility experience, we are committed to shaping the future with our partners sharing the same goal, as well as our fans, where everyone can proudly say, ‘we love cars.’ With such a strong will, Mazda is committed to enrich life-in-motion for those we serve.”
Mazda will continue to pursue the ‘Joy of Driving’ under its core value, “Human Centric”, and aim to deliver ‘Joy of Living’ by creating moving experiences in customers’ daily lives.
Summary of the MAZDA ICONIC SP
In creating the “framework” that forms the basis of the modeling, we aimed to achieve proportions with a low center of gravity that would give the impression of excellent driving performance. The concept of mounting the lightweight and compact rotary engine in the center of the car has resulted in a low hood.
The two-rotor rotary EV system, which utilizes a highly scalable rotary engine that can burn various fuels such as hydrogen, generates electricity with carbon-neutral fuel. In addition, when the battery is charged with electricity derived from renewable energy, it is possible to drive in a virtually carbon-neutral state.
The high output generated by the two-rotor rotary EV system, the proportions of the lower center of gravity, and the weight distribution of around 50:50 achieve excellent driving performance. In addition, although it is a sports car, it can supply power when enjoying outdoor leisure and in the time of a disaster.
The exterior body color “VIOLA RED” was created based on Mazda’s desire to “cherish the color red” and in conjunction with Mazda’s corporate philosophy of ” enriching life-in-motion for those we serve.” We focused on making a vivid color, while creating a sense of shade that accentuates the shape of the car.
(1) The Japan Mobility Show 2023 is organized by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. Press days will be held on Wednesday, October 25 (8:00-18:00) and Thursday, October 26 (8:00-13:00). The event will be open to the public from Saturday, October 28 through to Sunday, November 5.
Mazda’s JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023 website: www.mazda.co.jp/experience/event/japanmobilityshow2023/en/
Mazda Motor Corporation today released on the company’s official website the Mazda Integrated Report 2023(1), a structured presentation from both financial and non-financial perspectives of Mazda Group’s value creation over the medium- and long-term.
The Integrated Report is a comprehensive compilation of Mazda’s medium- and long-term management policies, solutions to social challenges based on ESG(2) perspectives, and approaches underlying these initiatives. The 2023 edition provides a summary of Mazda’s purpose in society, centering around the company’s 2030 VISION setting out the ideal of what Mazda should be as a company. Furthermore, the Integrated Report communicates to our stakeholders the value creation story for realizing our corporate philosophy, which clearly sets forth the principles indicating the direction that we want to pursue, as well as our initiatives for Management Policy up to 2030.
Mazda will continue to pursue the ‘Joy of Driving’ under its core value, “Human Centric”, and aim to deliver ‘Joy of Living’ by creating moving experiences in customers’ daily lives.
Mazda Integrated Report 2023 Contents
CHAPTER 1 ABOUT MAZDA:
Top Message, History of Mazda’s Growth, etc.
CHAPTER 2 VALUE CREATION STORY:
Value Creation Process, 2030 Management Policies, etc.
CHAPTER 3 VALUE CREATION INITIATIVES:
Initiatives for Achieving Sustainability, Carbon Neutrality, Human Development, and a Safe and Secure Automotive Society, etc.
Today, the Mazda Sustainability Report 2023(3) was also released, presenting a detailed picture of the company’s sustainability initiatives.
Mazda Sustainability Report 2023 Contents
CHAPTER 1 SUSTAINABILITY:
Approach to sustainability, etc.
CHAPTER 2 EARTH:
Carbon neutrality, climate change and resource circulation initiatives, etc.
CHAPTER 3 PEOPLE:
Commitment to customers, initiatives with employees, respect for human rights, etc.
CHAPTER 4 SOCIETY:
Safety initiatives, social contribution activities, etc.
CHAPTER 5 EARTH, PEOPLE, AND SOCIETY:
Commitment to quality, inter-company and industry-academia-government collaboration initiatives, etc.
CHAPTER 6 MANAGEMENT:
Corporate governance, risk management, compliance, etc.
(1),(3): The English versions of the Mazda Integrated Report 2023 and Mazda Sustainability Report 2023 will be available in December 2023. (2): ESG: Management and business activities that take into account Environment, Social, and Governance perspectives.
Mazda Motor Corporation’s production and sales results for July 2023 are summarized below.
I. Production
1. Domestic Production
Mazda’s domestic production volume in July 2023 increased 3.2% year on year due to increased production of passenger vehicles.
[Domestic production of key models in July 2023]CX-5: 29,971 units (up 0.5% year on year) CX-30: 11,607 units (up 64.4%) MAZDA3: 9,155 units (up 25.1%)
2. Overseas Production
Mazda’s overseas production volume in July 2023 increased 1.2% year on year due to increased production of passenger vehicles.
[Overseas production of key models in July 2023]CX-30: 11,664 units (up 11.6% year on year) MAZDA3: 6,622 units (down 17.6%) CX-50: 4,041 units (up 46.5%)
II. Domestic Sales
Mazda’s domestic sales volume in July 2023 increased 2.2% year on year due to increased sales of passenger and commercial vehicles.
Mazda’s registered vehicle market share was 4.6% (down 1.2 points year on year), with a 2.6% share of the micro-mini segment (up 1.0 points) and a 4.0% total market share (down 0.2 points).
[Domestic sales of key models in July 2023]CX-5: 2,155 units (down 4.8% year on year) MAZDA2: 1,816 units (down 35.2%) CX-60: 1,624 units
III. Exports
Mazda’s export volume in July 2023 decreased 12.4% year on year due to decreased shipments to Oceania, Europe, and other regions.
[Exports of key models in July 2023]CX-5: 25,646 units (down 7.4% year on year) MAZDA3: 8,415 units (up 34.3%) CX-30: 6,998 units (up 24.3%)
IV. Global Sales
Mazda’s global sales volume in July 2023 increased 18.6% year on year due to increased sales in the United States, Europe, and other regions.
[Global sales of key models in July 2023]CX-5: 28,761 units (up 9.6% year on year) CX-30: 16,543 units (up 2.6%) MAZDA3: 15,921 units (up 24.9%)
For more information, visit https://newsroom.mazda.com/en/publicity/release/2023/202308/230830a.html.
