Mazda rotary engine production passes two million units
30/10/2023
- Production of rotary engines resumed in June 2023 for the Mazda MX-30 R-EV.
- Launched in 1967, the Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S was the first production rotary engine vehicle.
- The Mazda MX-30 R-EV features an 830cc singe-rotor motor generator and is on sale now.
Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that total production volume of Mazda rotary engine vehicles has surpassed two million units.
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 improving 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.
Commenting on reaching the 2 million rotary engine production mark, Takeshi Mukai, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer at Mazda, said: “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 Rotary Engine Timeline
July 1961 Technical tie-up with NSU and Felix 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.
February 1974 2nd Generation Mazda Capella (Mazda RX-2) launches.
April 1974 Mazda Rotary Pickup (REPU) launches in North America
July 1974 Mazda Parkway Rotary 26 launches.
April 1975 Mazda Roadpacer AP launches.
October 1975 2nd Generation Mazda Cosmo AP (Mazda RX-5) launches.
October 1977 3rd Generation Mazda Luce (Mazda 929L) launches.
March 1978 1st Generation Mazda Savanna RX-7 (Mazda RX-7) launches.
November 1978 Total rotary engine vehicle production volume reaches 1 million.
November 1981 3rd Generation Mazda Cosmo and 4th Generation Luce Rotary series
(Mazda 929) launch
October 1985 2nd Generation Mazda Savanna RX-7 (Mazda RX-7) launches.
April 1986 Total rotary engine vehicle production volume reaches 1.5 million.
September 1986 5th Generation Mazda Luce (Mazda 929) launches.
April 1990 4th Generation Mazda Cosmo (Eunos Cosmo) launches, equipped with a three-rotor rotary engine.
June 1991 Mazda 787B wins the 59th 24 Hours of Le Mans.
December 1991 3rd Generation Mazda RX-7 (ɛ̃fini RX-7) launches.
April 2002 The last Mazda RX-7 limited edition model, Spirit R Series, launches.
April 2003 Mazda RX-8 launches.
November 2011 The last Mazda RX-8 special edition vehicle, Spirit R, launches.
June 2012 Production of the Mazda RX-8 ends.
June 2023 Production of the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV starts.
October 2023 Total rotary engine vehicle production volume reaches 2 million.
- Ends -
Notes for Editors
For more information and stories on Mazda’s rotary heritage search ‘rotary’ at www.insidemazda.co.uk