The History and Evolution of the Mazda Logo

By: Anas Assaf

March 25,2018

2 min read

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Introduction

The Mazda logo is one of the most recognized symbols in the automotive world, reflecting the rich history of the company over time. Established in 1920 under the name Toyo Cork Kogyo, Mazda originally produced heavy machinery and tools. Although the vehicles it manufactured began featuring the Mazda logo in 1934, the company officially adopted the name Mazda in 1984.

First Appearance of the Logo

The Mazda logo made its first appearance when the company began producing three-wheeled trucks. The name "Mazda" was inspired by Ahura Mazda, the god of wisdom, reflecting the company's desire to enhance the image of its compact vehicles. Additionally, the name is said to be influenced by the founder's name, Jujiro Matsuda.

Evolution of the Logo Over the Years

Logo in 1936

In 1936, Mazda introduced a logo resembling its name on the vehicles it produced at the time. This was later changed to a design featuring three stacked "M" letters, representing the initials of Mazda Motor Manufacturer, with wing-like extensions symbolizing agility and speed.

Logo in 1959

In 1959, Mazda unveiled a new logo after it began manufacturing passenger cars. This logo featured an "M" adorned within a circle and was first seen on the R360 Coupe, which also showcased some of the company's latest technologies.

Logo in 1975 and Beyond

Following a corporate identity overhaul in 1975, Mazda introduced the logo that is now widely recognized, which became the foundation of its visual identity to this day. In 1991, the company presented a new diamond-shaped logo referred to as "Cylon" by fans. The design was intended to symbolize a circle of light surrounding the sun and wings but was refined the following year by rounding the diamond's angles to create a more circular logo. This change aimed to reduce similarity to Renault's logo and was dubbed the "Eternal Flame."

Current Logo

The current Mazda logo was adopted for the first time in 1997. It features an "M" with wings, signaling the company's forward-looking vision. The bold design of the letter symbolizes flexibility, creativity, passion, and diversity for the Japanese brand, encircled by a ring that represents the company's readiness for the 21st century.