Last Friday, Mazda built the one-millionth MX-5 Miata. The 2016 1.5-liter Mazda Roadster is a Japanese-market variant, and it is headed out on a world tour. It will start its victory lap at May 3 at the Hiroshima Flower Festival where the car will participate in the Flower Parade.
Now in its fourth generation after its release about one year ago as the new 2016, ND version, the Miata’s sales have been spread out pretty evenly over the years. Introduced in 1989, by 2000 it had sold over half a million units. The third-generation, NC version was produced from about 2006.5 through last April and sold roughly 200,000 units. The new MX-5 Miata is presently outselling Porsche’s sports car models most months.
“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 Masamichi Kogai, Representative Director, President, and CEO. “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. Mazda aims to create a special bond with customers and become a ‘one-and-only’ brand they will choose again and again.”
Most Miatas are produced in Hiroshima, Japan. The latest news on the iconic roadster was the introduction of the hard-top fastback.