The Toyo Kogyo (Mazda) brand

mazda's entry into the Japanese automotive industry began with a motorcycle. Mazda was founded in 1920 as a cork manufacturing company in Japan. What prompted Mazda to enter the automotive industry? A motorcycle prototype that the company began developing in 1929.

at that time, motorcycle racing in Japan was at the height of its popularity. In Hiroshima, racing was a regular attraction at a memorial service called "Chinkon-no Matsuri" for the war dead.
Most motorcycles were imported or made in Japan with imported parts.

mazda, or Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. as the company was known at the time, wanted to make an urban motorcycle. Toyo Kogyo began development of a prototype in 1929. In October 1930, Toyo Kogyo's motorcycle, powered by a 250cc 2-stroke engine, entered the race at "Chinkon-no Matsuri". To everyone's surprise, it beat the Ariel (British-made), which was a strong favorite, and won the race on its very first attempt. The Ariel was one of the world's most popular motorcycle manufacturers, and was commonly seen in Japan.

mazda went on to produce thirty units of motorcycles in the same year, sold with a brand name designed by combining the company emblem and the inscriptions "TOYO KOGYO". Each motorcycle was sold for between 350 and 380 Japanese yen at the time (at today's prices, it would be worth between $31,800 and $34,500).

following the success of his motorcycle, Toyo Kogyo soon concentrated on the production of three-wheeled trucks. The Mazda motorcycle story lasted just those thirty units. You could say that entering the race with a just-finished bike and winning the race marked a glorious start to Mazda's sporting heritage.

News and image credits: Mazda