Mazda produces its one-millionth MX-5 Miata after 27 years

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is undoubtedly a popular car and has been ever since it was introduced 27 years ago. Now, after nearly three decades, Mazda officially produced their one-millionth example ever, marking a huge point in the car’s overall history.

Although the Miata is popular, it’s still a very niche vehicle and so thus, it obviously pales immensely when compared to major sales giants like the Toyota Corolla, with over 40 million sold. Relatively speaking however, in terms of niche vehicles, this is still an impressive feat.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata first broke ground and took the world by storm in 1989. It has become the choice for beginner and even professional level motorsports, and just for those who want a fun-ass, lightweight convertible with rear-wheel drive. Not to mention, the Miata helps maintain the perspective that it’s certainly fun to drive a slow car fast and power isn’t everything.

The Miata also has its fair share of record as it holds one with the Guinness Book of World Records as being the best-selling two-seat sports car in history with 531,890 units in 2000. Mazda continued to hold that record several years over while the last time it was documented, in February of 2011, Mazda reported around 900,000 units. All records aside though, the Miatas can by far be the happiest cars ever made:

“From the first generation through to today’s fourth-generation model, the reason we have been able to continue selling the MX-5 all these years is due to the strong support of fans around the world,” said Mazda’s CEO Masamichi Kogai, in the statement. “Mazda was founded in Hiroshima 96 years ago, and as we move toward our centennial year we will continue offering customers the joy of driving with this model, which has become a symbol of our brand.”

Congratulations Mazda!

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Here’s a quick rundown of the key points in the history of the Mazda MX-5

History of the Mazda MX-5

Feb 1989	Original MX-5 debuts at Chicago Auto Show
Oct 1997	Second-generation MX-5 debuts at Tokyo Motor Show
Dec 1998	10th Anniversary Limited Edition MX-5 launched
May 2000	Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car (531,890 units produced)
Jan 2002	Production reaches 600,000 units (Guinness World Record updated)
Mar 2005	Third-generation MX-5 debuts at Geneva International Motor Show
Apr 2005	Production reaches 700,000 units (Guinness World Record updated)
Jul 2006	Retractable hardtop model debuts at British International Motor Show
Jan 2007	Production reaches 800,000 units (Guinness World Record updated)
Jul 2009	20th Anniversary Limited Edition MX-5 launched
Feb 2011	Production reaches 900,000 units (Guinness World Record updated)
Apr 2014	25th Anniversary Edition MX-5 launched
Sep 2014	Fourth-generation MX-5 debuts
Mar 2016	Mazda MX-5 RF debuts at New York International Auto Show

– By: Chris Chin

Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/1WmJ18D