Mazda Celebrates 100 Years

by Michael Satterfield

Mazda has unveiled a 100th Anniversary Special Edition series inspired by the white-and-burgundy two-tone exterior/interior combination of Mazda’s first passenger car: the Mazda R360 Coupe. The series was scheduled to be unveiled at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, and the 100th Anniversary models span the full range of Mazda's catalog.

Limited numbers of Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda CX-3, Mazda CX-30, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-8, Mazda6, plus RF and Convertible MX-5 will be offered in Japan through to the end of March 2021. Later this year, just 100 of each 100th Anniversary Mazda MX-5 Convertible, Mazda CX-30, and Mazda3 will be offered in the UK, with the possibility of the Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5 Anniversary editions coming in early 2021. Mazda USA has not released any plans for US availability of the 100th Anniversary editions, however, it seems likely the US market would at least get the MX-5 in limited numbers. But Mazda's official statement is "In the midst of the global crisis, U.S. availability of the 100th Anniversary Special Edition models has not been announced."

All commemorative models are finished in Snowflake White Pearl Mica premium exterior paint and accented by red accents. A minimalist “100 Years 1920 – 2020” badge adorns the fender, and the wheel center caps feature the 100th Anniversary Special Logo. Inside, red leather seats embossed headrests and red carpets with red floor mats share a badge similar to the fender. Anniversary cars also received an embossed key fob with the 100th Anniversary Special Logo presented in a special edition box.