Mazda cars are primarily made by Mazda Motor Corporation, an independent Japanese automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
Mazda is known for its Kodo design philosophy, its signature rotary and skyactiv engines, and a driver focused approach that has earned the brand a reputation for producing some of the most engaging cars in the mainstream segment.
Mazda Motor Corporation is a publicly traded, independent Japanese automaker, not a division of Toyota or any other company, though Toyota holds a minority stake of approximately 5% in Mazda as part of a strategic alliance.
Knowing who makes Mazda helps buyers understand why the brand’s vehicles feel so distinct from competitors, and what manufacturing heritage backs the reliability and engineering in every model.
This article covers Mazda’s ownership, founding story, where its vehicles are built, its current lineup, and how the brand compares to other Japanese automakers in terms of independence and manufacturing origin.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Mazda?
Mazda is owned by Mazda Motor Corporation, a publicly traded company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
No other automaker has a controlling interest in Mazda. Toyota holds approximately 5% of Mazda’s shares as part of a strategic partnership, but that stake gives Toyota no management control or ownership authority over the brand.
Mazda controls its own engineering, design, manufacturing, and long term product strategy entirely independently.
This is fundamentally different from luxury divisions like Lexus, which is wholly owned by Toyota, or Acura, which is wholly owned by Honda.
Before Toyota’s partnership, Ford Motor Company held a significant stake in Mazda for several decades, at one point owning more than 33%. Ford fully sold its Mazda stake by 2015, leaving Mazda to operate as a fully independent automaker for the first time in modern history.
When Was Mazda Founded?
Mazda traces its origins to January 30, 1920, when Jujiro Matsuda founded Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. in Hiroshima as a manufacturer of cork products.
The company moved into machine tools and then three wheeled motorized vehicles before producing its first automobile in 1960.
The Mazda name was officially adopted as the company’s brand identity in 1984, though the Mazda name had been used on vehicles since the early 1930s.
The company renamed itself Mazda Motor Corporation in 1984 to align its corporate and brand identity.
Mazda’s hometown of Hiroshima shapes much of its corporate culture. The company rebuilt its facilities after World War II when much of the city was destroyed, and the brand has maintained deep roots in the Hiroshima region throughout its entire history.
Where Are Mazda Cars Made?
Most Mazda vehicles are assembled in Japan at three main plants. The Ujina plant near Hiroshima manufactures the MX-5 Miata and CX-5. The Hofu plant in Yamaguchi produces the Mazda3, CX-30, CX-70, and CX-90. The Miyoshi plant focuses on engine manufacturing to supply the other facilities.
The only Mazda model currently assembled in the United States is the CX-50, built at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA plant in Huntsville, Alabama. That facility is a 50/50 joint venture between Mazda and Toyota, opened in January 2022 with a combined investment of $2.3 billion and capacity for 300,000 vehicles annually.
For the North American market, the Mazda3 and CX-30 are assembled at Mazda’s plant in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico. Mazda also has manufacturing operations in China and Thailand serving those regional markets.
What Models Does Mazda Currently Offer?
Mazda’s current North American lineup centers on its SUV range. The CX-30 is the compact entry. The CX-5 is the brand’s best selling midsize crossover. The CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90 round out the larger SUV options, with the CX-90 serving as the three row flagship.
The Mazda3 remains the brand’s sole sedan offering in the US, available in sedan and hatchback body styles. The MX-5 Miata, the world’s best selling two seat sports car, continues in production at the Hiroshima plant.
The full current lineup and specifications are available on the Mazda global website. Mazda produced approximately 1.2 million vehicles globally in the fiscal year ending 2024.
Mazda vs Toyota vs Honda: Who Owns Each Brand?
The ownership structures across these three Japanese brands are fundamentally different. Toyota is an independent publicly traded company that fully owns Lexus as a division. Honda is an independent publicly traded company that fully owns Acura as a division. Mazda is also an independent publicly traded company, but unlike Toyota and Honda, it does not own a luxury brand.
Toyota and Honda both have minority stakes in various other automakers, similar to Toyota’s 5% stake in Mazda. These are strategic alliances, not ownership relationships, and do not affect the independent management of the companies involved.
Mazda’s independence means it competes directly against Toyota and Honda in the mainstream market without a luxury division to absorb higher margin sales. The brand instead focuses on making every model feel more refined and driver focused than its price point would suggest.
Does Toyota Make Mazda Cars?
No. Toyota does not make Mazda cars and does not control the Mazda brand. Toyota’s 5% shareholding is a strategic investment that facilitates technology collaboration, not a manufacturing or ownership arrangement. Every Mazda vehicle is engineered, designed, and built under Mazda’s own direction.
The Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Alabama is a joint venture where both brands have equal ownership and share the same facility. The Mazda CX-50 and the Toyota Corolla Cross are built at the same plant, but they are entirely different vehicles developed independently by each company.
Outside of that shared plant, Mazda and Toyota do not produce vehicles together. Every other Mazda in the lineup is designed and assembled without any Toyota involvement.
What Is Next for Mazda?
Mazda is moving toward electrification at a measured pace compared to some rivals. The brand introduced the MX-30, its first battery electric vehicle, and has expanded its hybrid offerings across the CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90 lineup to meet North American demand.
Mazda has signaled that inline six cylinder engines will play a central role in its near term lineup, pairing them with mild hybrid systems for improved efficiency. The CX-70 and CX-90 models already use a 3.3 litre inline six turbo engine that represents the direction the brand is taking for premium models.
The Huntsville, Alabama plant is expected to expand its production capacity and potentially add additional Mazda models as the brand grows its US market presence beyond the CX-50.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Mazda
Is Mazda owned by Toyota?
No. Mazda is an independent publicly traded company. Toyota holds approximately 5% of Mazda’s shares as a strategic partner, but Mazda operates entirely independently. Toyota has no management authority or ownership control over Mazda’s products, engineering, or business direction.
Which Mazda models are made in the USA?
The Mazda CX-50 is the only Mazda currently assembled in the United States. It is built at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA plant in Huntsville, Alabama, which began CX-50 production in January 2022.
Where is the Mazda MX-5 Miata made?
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is assembled at Mazda’s Ujina Plant No. 1 near Hiroshima, Japan. The Miata has been produced in Hiroshima since its debut in 1989 and has never been assembled outside Japan.
When did Mazda and Toyota start their partnership?
Mazda and Toyota announced a capital alliance in August 2017, with Toyota initially acquiring a 5% stake in Mazda. The two companies announced plans for the Alabama joint venture plant at the same time. Full production at the Huntsville facility began in early 2022.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.