History of the Mazda brand

The Mazda brand from Japan is one of the car brands that has a good reputation among consumers, especially in Malaysia.

Placing itself in the category of niche brands that do not follow the rhythm of other competitors, the sales strategy adopted by Mazda is clearly effective helped by the public’s confidence in the brand, quality, service and history of this well-known company that has introduced various motoring innovations over a long period.

One of Mazda’s innovative efforts during the company’s seldom-told heyday, was the design of a vehicle that could be carried anywhere like a suitcase. This is the story of how Mazda created the car. According To FaceStory Poor fisherman’s son established the Mazda Company | History of the Mazda brand | From pumps to cars

The glorious era of the Mazda decade of the 90s

The introduction of the Mazda MX-5 model also known as the Mazda Roadster or Mazda Miata in its home country in 1989, changed the fortunes of the Japanese company.

The iconic MX-5 vehicle, which is the result of Mazda’s experience in developing their flagship model, the RX series of high-performance cars, has received encouraging response, not only in the local market but also around the world.

The Mazda MX-5 is said to be responsible for restarting the carmaker’s trend of developing small-sized high-powered cars, which were previously popular around the 70s.

Mazda’s positive development aided the company’s victory under its subsidiary Mazdaspeed in the 24 Hour Le Mans long race; placing Mazda as the first Japanese vehicle manufacturer to win the race.

The sales of the MX-5, which supports Mazda’s business journey as well as the brand’s good image in the media, allow Mazda to be more bold in conducting a lot of research and development to get new ideas in car development technology.

The idea of ​​developing a mobile car

Mazda management initiated the initiative of opening invitations to all divisions within Mazda to present ideas that could be developed, which will be presented at an event organized by the company dubbed Fantasyard.

The invitation was welcomed by Mazda’s gear mechanism development engineering division or Manual Transmission Testing and Research Group, led by Yoshimi Kanemoto. Kanemoto presents a unique but strange idea – ‘a mobile car that is more like a suitcase of clothes.’

The idea stems from a problem Kanemoto faces every time he finishes boarding a plane, where he has to spend time queuing to get a taxi.

For an individual like him who often has to move from airport to airport, it is easier for a person to have his own vehicle that can be transported anywhere to avoid wasted time just like that.

The idea was well received by Mazda management who announced them as winners, agreeing to channel funds for the development of the idea. Seven engineers from Mazda formed a group led by Kanemoto to realize the vision.

Developed the first prototype of the Mazda bag car

In developing the idea, Kanemoto set some targets that they needed to achieve: the car must be portable, can be taken anywhere especially the airport, easy to install as well as have the features of a complete basic car.

Kanemoto chose a large-sized bag from the Samsonite brand that is famous for its durability to be used as the frame of the car. In the selection of the engine, the engine that will be used does not have to be too powerful enough to be able to drive an individual.

The group of engineers bought a mini motorcycle. From the motorcycle, a 33.6cc engine, tires and handles were taken to be used as components for the car to be built.

They carried out modifications to the Samsonite bag, creating an additional structure that would serve as a car frame support. Simple seats are installed to allow the driver to sit easily.

The first prototype was well received

After a series of developments, the Mazda luggage car was successfully completed. The first prototype of the car has a payload of 32 kg.

Although still heavy as hand luggage, the available wheels allow the luggage to be carried anywhere like regular luggage and able to accommodate all the components needed to build the car.

After the luggage is opened and leveled, the driver will have to install the steering wheel, tires and headlights themselves, with an estimated 1 minute required for that purpose.

The finished Mazda luggage car is capable of reaching speeds of up to 30m/h using petrol fuel. The driving is easy due to the gravity point of the bag car which is close to the floor/ground, allowing the driving to be done stably.

The success of the first prototype has become the talk of the automotive industry in Japan because of its uniqueness. Mazda released funds to develop two more similar vehicles for promotional use in the US and European markets.

At the 1991 Frankfurt Vehicle Expo, although Mazda lined up many great models in the wake of their then-peaking name, Kanemoto’s invention the luggage car stole the public’s attention because of its uniqueness.

Unique ideas that are not magnified

The success of Mazda’s gear mechanism division in Japan in developing the ‘Mazda luggage car’ is one of the proofs of the innovation that Mazda tried to do that decade.

Unfortunately, Mazda management sees the idea even though it has been realized in prototype form, less suitable for development into the commercial market. The three luggage carts made were only used for promotional purposes and marketing gimmicks.

While Mazda’s luggage cars are just a gimmick to boost Mazda’s reputation in the international automotive industry, the idea for a manufacturer to be able to develop a mobile vehicle is something that is quite thoughtful if it can be realized in the commercial market.

A mobile vehicle is able to speed up travel time in a short distance as well as able to reduce the problem of vehicle parking that is increasingly plaguing some communities.

Unfortunately, this Mazda bag concept car is stuck in the middle of the road.

The original prototype of the Mazda bag car was destroyed in an accident at an automotive expo in 1991.

Only in 1994 an automotive company from California, USA agreed to rebuild the luggage car using its original components.

The vehicle remains the only Mazda bag car that still works to this day.