Where is Mazda From and Where Are Mazdas Made?

Mazda has been a popular brand in North America for ages now and is well regarded by enthusiasts for the massively fun MX-5 Miata, along with its well-sorted lineup of spritely sedans and crossovers.

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Some people may not know where Mazda originated from, though, nor where the automaker builds its cars. In this post, we’re going to provide a brief overview of the history of Mazda, and list the various manufacturing facilities the company operates that serve the North American market.

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The company did not officially change its name to Mazda until 1984, although every vehicle it had produced bore the Mazda name as part of its model title. The company produced its first real car in 1960, the Mazda R360, and entered the North American market in 1970 with the RX-2. Its use of the Wankel rotary engine helped it rise to prominence in North America, although the automaker no longer produces an engine of this design right now.

Unlike its Japanese rivals like Honda and Toyota, Mazda does not build very many vehicles in North America. The majority of Mazda’s production happens in Japan, with the automaker operating only a handful of manufacturing facilities abroad.

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Mazda Hiroshima Plant – Aki, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

Mazda3

Mazda6

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-9

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Mazda CX-30

Mazda Miyoshi Plant – Miyoshi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

Four-cylinder engines

Mazda Hofu Plant – Hōfu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan

Mazda3

Mazda6

Mazda CX-3

Mazda CX-5

Mazda Salamanca Plant (Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation) – Salamanca, Mexico

Mazda3 (for North America)

Alabama Plant (under construction) – Huntsville, Alabama, USA

Production allocation to be announced, partnership with Toyota

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