List of Mazda platforms
Encyclopedia
This List of Mazda platforms describes following automobile platform
s which have been used by Mazda
since the 1980s.
on post-1981 vehicles. The first character is a letter representing the platform family, while the second is a sequential letter for the revision of the platform. For example, the Mazda N platform
used by the Mazda Miata started at NA and was updated in 1998 to NB. The 2006 and newer MX-5s are designated NC.
Mazda generally starts car
platforms at the letter "A", but van
and truck
variants often get different names, usually starting at "V".
Note: The US-built Mazda6 and Tribute
do not use the Mazda platform code in the VIN; in its place is an AutoAlliance
code. Instead of the platform code letter, position four in the VIN specifies the vehicle's safety systems, and position five specifies the marque, due to being built in a multi-brand facility.
The following pre-1981 platforms are known:
The next digit of the VIN specified the engine:
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
s which have been used by Mazda
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
since the 1980s.
Naming scheme
The company's platforms form the fifth and sixth characters of the VINVin
Vin may refer to:*Voltage input, an alternative form for Vin-People:*Vin Diesel*Vin Scully*Vin Suprynowicz*Vin, the name of a character from the video games Jak II and Jak 3*a diminutive of the name "Vincent"...
on post-1981 vehicles. The first character is a letter representing the platform family, while the second is a sequential letter for the revision of the platform. For example, the Mazda N platform
Mazda N platform
The Mazda N platform is an automobile platform for rear wheel drive sports cars. It was the basis for two generations of the Mazda MX-5.-NA:...
used by the Mazda Miata started at NA and was updated in 1998 to NB. The 2006 and newer MX-5s are designated NC.
Mazda generally starts car
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
platforms at the letter "A", but van
Van
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.In British English usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon or sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs...
and truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
variants often get different names, usually starting at "V".
Note: The US-built Mazda6 and Tribute
Mazda Tribute
The Mazda Tribute is a compact SUV made by Japanese automaker Mazda since 2001. It is jointly developed with Ford Motor Company and based on the front-wheel drive Mazda 626 platform, which is in turn the basis for the similar Ford Escape on the CD2 platform...
do not use the Mazda platform code in the VIN; in its place is an AutoAlliance
AutoAlliance
Ford Motor Company and Mazda have two joint-venture automobile plants called AutoAlliance:* AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Michigan* AutoAlliance Thailand in Rayong Province, Thailand...
code. Instead of the platform code letter, position four in the VIN specifies the vehicle's safety systems, and position five specifies the marque, due to being built in a multi-brand facility.
Old VINs
Prior to 1981, Mazda used a different VIN format and platform naming scheme. The platforms were given two characters, and the model a third, based on their names.The following pre-1981 platforms are known:
- M1 - FamiliaMazda FamiliaMazda's automotive plans for the early sixties consisted of growing alongside the Japanese economy. To achieve this goal, they began by building an extremely cheap Kei car, the R360 in 1960, planning on introducing gradually larger and pricier cars as the Japanese customers became able to afford them...
- S1 - CapellaMazda CapellaThe second generation rear-wheel drive Capella was available between 1978 and 1982, in both sedan and coupe forms. It was known on export markets as the Mazda 626, with the exception of the United Kingdom, where it was called the Mazda Montrose, the name was changed to honour the local Mazda...
/SavannaMazda SavannaMazda used the Savanna name on a number of rotary-powered sports cars in the Japan market.-1971:... - SA2 - SavannaMazda SavannaMazda used the Savanna name on a number of rotary-powered sports cars in the Japan market.-1971:...
/RX-7Mazda RX-7Series 1 is commonly referred to as the "SA22C" from the first alphanumerics of the vehicle identification number. This series of RX-7 had exposed steel bumpers and a high-mounted indentation-located license plate, called by Werner Buhrer of Road & Track magazine a "Baroque depression."In 1980... - LA - LuceMazda LuceMazda used the Luce name on its largest sedans in Japan from 1969 until 1990. These vehicles were exported under a variety of names, including RX-4, 929, and Cosmo. The Luce nameplate was replaced by the Mazda Sentia name in 1991...
- CD - CosmoMazda CosmoThere have been four generations of Mazda automobiles which went by the name of Cosmo, although they are not all particularly related. All were Grand tourers, with the first proving a successful launch for the Mazda Wankel engine and acting as a "halo" vehicle for the new Mazda brand...
- PA1/PA2 - Proceed
The next digit of the VIN specified the engine:
- 0 - 10A/10B
- 2 - 12A/12B
- 3 - 13A/13B
Mazda platforms
- DA/DL/DB/DW/DG/DYMazda D platformThe Mazda D platform is an automobile platform for subcompact cars developed by Mazda. It has been used for a number of Mazda vehicles, and also by models produced by Kia Motors and Ford.The Autozam Scrum keicar sold by Mazda is a badge-engineered Suzuki Every...
- subcompactSubcompact carSubcompact car is a North American term used to describe automobiles whose class size is smaller than that of a compact car, usually not exceeding in length, but larger than a microcar...
FWDFWDFWD may refer to:* Front-wheel drive, a common method of vehicle propulsion.* FWD Campaign from USAID* Free World Dialup , a non-commercial Voice over IP network....
(ex: Mazda DemioMazda DemioThe Mazda Demio is a subcompact car manufactured by Mazda introduced in 1996, now in its third generation, marketed globally also as the Mazda2 — and previously marketed under nameplates including Mazda 121, Mazda Metro and Ford Festiva Mini Wagon.The third generation Demio earned the 2008...
) - SS/SR/SGMazda S platformThe Mazda S platform is an automobile platform for subcompact minivans.-SS:* 1989–1995 Mazda Bongo * 1990 Eunos Cargo * 1989–1995 Ford Spectron -SG:* 1995–2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee...
- subcompactSubcompact carSubcompact car is a North American term used to describe automobiles whose class size is smaller than that of a compact car, usually not exceeding in length, but larger than a microcar...
minivanMinivanMinivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
FWDFWDFWD may refer to:* Front-wheel drive, a common method of vehicle propulsion.* FWD Campaign from USAID* Free World Dialup , a non-commercial Voice over IP network....
(ex: Mazda BongoMazda BongoThe Mazda Bongo, also known as Mazda E-Series and Mazda Access, was a van manufactured by Japanese automaker Mazda from 1978 to 2001.-First generation :...
) - BD/BV/BF/BG/BA/BH/BW/BJ/BKMazda B platformThe Mazda B platform is an automobile platform for compact cars. It has been used by a number of vehicles from Mazda and Ford Motor Company in Japan and abroad.-BD:...
- compactCompact carA compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
FWDFWDFWD may refer to:* Front-wheel drive, a common method of vehicle propulsion.* FWD Campaign from USAID* Free World Dialup , a non-commercial Voice over IP network....
(ex: Mazda FamiliaMazda FamiliaMazda's automotive plans for the early sixties consisted of growing alongside the Japanese economy. To achieve this goal, they began by building an extremely cheap Kei car, the R360 in 1960, planning on introducing gradually larger and pricier cars as the Japanese customers became able to afford them...
/Mazda GLC/Mazda 323/Mazda Protege/Mazda3) - CA/CB/CG/CPMazda C platformThe Mazda C platform is an automobile platform for midsize cars. It was derived from the Mazda G platform used in the Mazda Capella/626. Unlike the wider, early-90s 626, cars based on the C platform were limited to 1700 mm in width.-CA:...
- mid-size FWDFWDFWD may refer to:* Front-wheel drive, a common method of vehicle propulsion.* FWD Campaign from USAID* Free World Dialup , a non-commercial Voice over IP network....
(ex: Mazda LantisMazda LantisThe Mazda Lantis was a series of two cars sold in Japan from 1993 to 1996. In the rest of the world it was also known as 323F, Astina, Allegro Hatchback or Artis Hatchback....
) - GC/GD/GV/GE/GF/GW/GG/GYMazda G platformThe Mazda G platform is an automobile platform for midsize cars. It has been used by a number of vehicles from Mazda in Japan and abroad.Prior to 1981, Mazda coded the rear wheel drive Capella platform as "S1" in the VIN code...
- mid-size FWDFWDFWD may refer to:* Front-wheel drive, a common method of vehicle propulsion.* FWD Campaign from USAID* Free World Dialup , a non-commercial Voice over IP network....
(ex: CapellaMazda CapellaThe second generation rear-wheel drive Capella was available between 1978 and 1982, in both sedan and coupe forms. It was known on export markets as the Mazda 626, with the exception of the United Kingdom, where it was called the Mazda Montrose, the name was changed to honour the local Mazda...
/AtenzaMazda AtenzaThe Mazda6 or Mazda 6 is a mid-size car produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Mazda since 2002...
/626Mazda 626The Mazda 626 is an automobile that was produced by Mazda for the export market. It was based on the Japan-market Mazda Capella. The 626 replaced the 616/618 and RX-2 in 1979 and was sold through 2002, when the new Mazda6 took over as Mazda's large family car...
/MX-6Mazda MX-6The first generation MX-6 appeared in 1988 and lasted until 1992 in the United States. In some markets the model years were from 1987 to 1991. It was based on a series of futuristic sports compact concept cars of the early 1980s...
/6/Ford ProbeFord ProbeThe Ford Probe was a coupé based on the Mazda GD platform, and powered by a 2.2 L SOHC 4 cylinder Mazda F2 engine.The first generation Probe appeared in 1988 and lasted until 1992 in the United States. In some markets the model years were from 1987 to 1991...
) - MA/MBMazda M platformThe Mazda M platform is an automobile platform for midsize cars.Note that some Mazda vehicles have similar platform codes but are unrelated. The following vehicles use the Suzuki M platform, not the Mazda M platform:* Mazda AZ-Wagon MD-MA:...
- mid-size FWDFWDFWD may refer to:* Front-wheel drive, a common method of vehicle propulsion.* FWD Campaign from USAID* Free World Dialup , a non-commercial Voice over IP network....
(ex: Mazda PersonaMazda PersonaThe Mazda Persona was a mid-sized front wheel drive sedan sold in Japan in the late 1980s. It used Mazda's MA platform and was replaced by the Efini MS-8 in March 1993....
) - TA - mid-size FWDFWDFWD may refer to:* Front-wheel drive, a common method of vehicle propulsion.* FWD Campaign from USAID* Free World Dialup , a non-commercial Voice over IP network....
(ex: Mazda MilleniaMazda MilleniaThe Mazda Millenia is an automobile which was manufactured by Mazda in Japan from 1993 to 2003.The Millenia was originally planned as the second of three models for Mazda’s proposed luxury brand Amati...
) - HC/HD/HEMazda H platformThe Mazda H platform is an automobile platform for rear-wheel drive full-size cars. It has been used by a number of vehicles from Mazda in Japan and abroad.Note that a number of Mazda vehicles have similar platform codes but are unrelated...
- full-size RWDRWDRWD may refer to:* Rear-wheel drive, method of propulsion in an automobile* RWD , Polish aircraft manufacturer* RWD Technologies, software vendor of electronic performance support systems* Rewind Magazine, British based music magazine...
(ex: Mazda LuceMazda LuceMazda used the Luce name on its largest sedans in Japan from 1969 until 1990. These vehicles were exported under a variety of names, including RX-4, 929, and Cosmo. The Luce nameplate was replaced by the Mazda Sentia name in 1991...
/929Mazda 929The Mazda 929 was originally a mid-size car from 1973–1987 and as a full-size car thereafter. Marketed over three decades, the 929 was originally the export name for the Mazda Luce. When equipped with a rotary engine, it was called the Mazda RX-4 in export markets...
) - JCMazda J platformThe Mazda J platform is an automobile platform for rear-wheel drive full-size cars. It only existed for five years in the early 1990s, but was the basis for the famous Eunos Cosmo GT car....
- full-size RWDRWDRWD may refer to:* Rear-wheel drive, method of propulsion in an automobile* RWD , Polish aircraft manufacturer* RWD Technologies, software vendor of electronic performance support systems* Rewind Magazine, British based music magazine...
(ex: Eunos Cosmo) - LV/LWMazda L platformThe Mazda L platform is an automobile platform for minivans. It is the basis for the Mazda MPV family. The two generations of the L platform share almost nothing; each was based on a large Mazda sedan, but there is little continuity between them.-LV:...
- minivanMinivanMinivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
FWDFWDFWD may refer to:* Front-wheel drive, a common method of vehicle propulsion.* FWD Campaign from USAID* Free World Dialup , a non-commercial Voice over IP network....
(ex: Mazda MPVMazda MPVThe Mazda MPV is a minivan manufactured by Mazda. Introduced in 1989 as a rear-wheel drive model with optional selectable four-wheel drive, it was replaced in 2000 with a front-wheel drive-only version...
) - FB/FC/FDMazda F platformThe Mazda F platform is an automobile platform for rear wheel drive sports cars. It was the basis for three generations of the Mazda RX-7.Prior to 1981, the platform was coded as "SA2" in the VIN...
- sports carSports carA sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
s RWDRWDRWD may refer to:* Rear-wheel drive, method of propulsion in an automobile* RWD , Polish aircraft manufacturer* RWD Technologies, software vendor of electronic performance support systems* Rewind Magazine, British based music magazine...
(ex: Mazda RX-7Mazda RX-7Series 1 is commonly referred to as the "SA22C" from the first alphanumerics of the vehicle identification number. This series of RX-7 had exposed steel bumpers and a high-mounted indentation-located license plate, called by Werner Buhrer of Road & Track magazine a "Baroque depression."In 1980...
) - NA/NB/NCMazda N platformThe Mazda N platform is an automobile platform for rear wheel drive sports cars. It was the basis for two generations of the Mazda MX-5.-NA:...
- sports carSports carA sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
s RWDRWDRWD may refer to:* Rear-wheel drive, method of propulsion in an automobile* RWD , Polish aircraft manufacturer* RWD Technologies, software vendor of electronic performance support systems* Rewind Magazine, British based music magazine...
(ex: Mazda MX-5Mazda MX-5The MX-5, also known as Miata in North America and Eunos Roadster in Japan, is a lightweight two-seater roadster, of front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, built by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan. The model was introduced in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show...
) - SEMazda S platformThe Mazda S platform is an automobile platform for subcompact minivans.-SS:* 1989–1995 Mazda Bongo * 1990 Eunos Cargo * 1989–1995 Ford Spectron -SG:* 1995–2002 Mazda Bongo Friendee...
- sports carSports carA sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
s RWDRWDRWD may refer to:* Rear-wheel drive, method of propulsion in an automobile* RWD , Polish aircraft manufacturer* RWD Technologies, software vendor of electronic performance support systems* Rewind Magazine, British based music magazine...
(ex: Mazda RX-8Mazda RX-8The Mazda RX-8 is a sports car manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation. It first appeared in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the successor to the RX-7 and, like its predecessors in the RX range, it is powered by a Wankel engine. The RX-8 began North American sales in the...
)