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Okay, so they didn’t wait till a million before breaking into the really big song and dance, but 900,000 is kinda good enough to pop the bubbly, in this case.
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That’s the number of MX-5s Mazda has churned out in the past 21 years and 10 months, which makes it the best selling two-seater sportscar in the world. Actually, that’s a title the roadster has held for a while now – back in 2000, it was certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s best selling two-seater sportscar when production reached 531,890 units in May of that year.
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Since then, Guinness updated the record when production passed 700,000 and 800,000 units, and now Mazda is reapplying to have the record updated to acknowledge production of the 900,000th vehicle. The car remains the longest-running model in Mazda’s global line-up.
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Since its introduction in February 1989, the MX-5 has undergone two complete product redesigns and a series of upgrades. As it heads toward the next production milestone of one million units, Mazda says it is committed to further evolving the roadster, and will refine its fun-to-drive character and further enhance its environmental and safety capabilities as it makes its way toward the mark. Do we hear 1.5 million, then?
congrats mazda! it’s an achievement worth celebrating for, and it just shows how brilliant MX-5 is. i believe this will come down as one of the most iconic cars mazda has ever produced, as well. kudos mazda!
That the Spirit of Zoom-Zoom! :) For my personally opinion Mx-5 is suit for the “uncle” level age driver :P.. when I 40+, I will consider it.. now I am still happy with my Mazda 3..
zoom-zoom!
On the contrary, the MX5 is a nice fun vehicle for a drive for a younder driver.
Of course given the taxes we get here, you’d have to be uncle age (or born with a silver spoon in your mouth) to afford one.
As much as it has improved on safety, its still a very small car. I once drove a MK1 next to a slightly lifted Jeep Cherokee and the Cherokee’s “bumper” is at my head level. Quite a sobering thought to think what would happen if that car T-boned me…..
On the flipside, I can understand why Mazda is celebrating. It revived the small roadster market, and despite the competition that followed, it stayed popular while competitors either moved to a different market segment (Mercedes SLK, BMW Z3/Z4 or died alltogether (S2000, MGF, MR2 Targa, Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky)… even in the face of its initial German counterparts, it was a far greater driver’s choice. Much of that success was it being true to what it was for and avoided the temptation to put to much power and bulk in proceeding models. Simple, compact, fuel efficient, fun to drive car. (kind of the same formula that made the Honda CRX such a compelling and missed car)
But then again, celebrating the 900,000 mark is like celebrating a 90m dash. Almost there, but not quite just yet :) Good job mazda. No doubt, knowing Mazda, there are a couple more special editions in its lifeline to reach 1mill.
hmm… time for Lotus @ Proton to replace this convertible coupe at a affordable price!
cant wait for the new mx5 =)
why no interview of the ‘father’ of mx5? ;)