If you are searching who owns Mazda, you are not alone. Questions like who owns Mazda cars, who owned Mazda in the past, and who owns the Mazda car company are searched tens of thousands of times every month. The confusion is understandable, given Mazda’s long history of partnerships with other automakers.
The short answer is simple: Mazda is owned by the Mazda Motor Corporation, an independent Japanese automaker headquartered near Hiroshima, Japan. However, the full story behind Mazda ownership, including Ford’s past involvement and Mazda’s current partnerships, is far more nuanced.
This guide breaks down who owns Mazda today, who owned Mazda in the past, and how Mazda operates as an independent brand in a global automotive industry dominated by large conglomerates.
Who Owns Mazda Today?
Mazda is owned by the Mazda Motor Corporation, a publicly traded Japanese company. Mazda operates independently and is not controlled by any other automaker.
Unlike brands such as Lexus (Toyota), Acura (Honda), or Audi (Volkswagen Group), Mazda does not function as a subsidiary or luxury division of a larger parent company. Mazda controls its own engineering, design language, manufacturing strategy, and long-term product planning.
This independence is a defining characteristic of the brand and plays a major role in why Mazda vehicles often feel more driver-focused than many competitors in the same price segment.
Who Owned Mazda in the Past?
To understand why many people still ask who owned Mazda, it is important to look at Mazda’s history with Ford Motor Company.
In 1979, Ford Motor Company purchased a minority stake in Mazda. This partnership deepened over time, and by the mid-1990s, Ford owned more than 33 percent of Mazda, making it the largest shareholder but not the outright owner.
During this period:
- Mazda and Ford shared vehicle platforms
- Engines and transmissions were co-developed
- Manufacturing plants were jointly operated in some regions
- Several Mazda models were closely related to Ford vehicles
Despite this close relationship, Mazda remained a separate legal entity. Ford never fully owned Mazda outright, but its influence was substantial for more than two decades.
When Did Ford Stop Owning Mazda?
Following the 2008 global financial crisis, Ford began selling off non-core assets to stabilize its business. Mazda was one of those assets.
Ford gradually reduced its stake, and by 2015, Ford had fully sold its remaining shares. From that point forward, Mazda returned to complete independence, ending one of the longest strategic partnerships in modern automotive history.
This moment is critical for anyone researching who owns Mazda car company today, because since 2015, Mazda has been fully independent.
Who Owns the Mazda Car Company Now?
Today, the answer to who owns the Mazda car company is straightforward:
Mazda is owned by:
- Its shareholders
- Managed and operated by Mazda Motor Corporation
- Headquartered in Japan
- Not controlled by Ford, Toyota, or any other automaker
While Mazda does collaborate with other companies on specific projects, ownership and control remain entirely with Mazda itself.
Is Mazda Still Connected to Ford?
No. Mazda and Ford no longer share ownership, platforms, or joint product development.
While some older Mazda models still reflect Ford-era engineering decisions, modern Mazda vehicles are developed entirely under Mazda’s current engineering philosophy. This shift is especially noticeable in:
- Interior quality
- Driving dynamics
- Engine tuning
- Design language
Anyone asking who owns Mazda cars today should understand that Ford has no ownership, governance, or control over Mazda products.
Mazda’s Partnership With Toyota Explained
Although Mazda is independent, it does maintain a strategic partnership with Toyota, which often leads to confusion about ownership.
Toyota does not own Mazda. Instead, the two companies collaborate in specific areas, including:
- Shared manufacturing facilities
- Limited technology development
- Electrification and future mobility research
The most notable example is the joint manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama, which began production in 2021. This partnership helps Mazda remain competitive without sacrificing independence.
Where Are Mazda Cars Manufactured?
While ownership is Japanese, Mazda vehicles are built in multiple countries.
Most Mazda vehicles are still manufactured in Japan, where the company’s primary plants are located. These facilities are central to Mazda’s reputation for reliability, precision engineering, and build quality.
Mazda also operates manufacturing plants in:
- Mexico
- Thailand
- China
- Vietnam
- Malaysia
In addition, Mazda returned to U.S. manufacturing in 2021 through its Alabama plant with Toyota. This marked Mazda’s first American production since the early 1990s.
Mazda’s Manufacturing History in the United States
Mazda previously built vehicles in the U.S. between 1987 and 1992, when the Mazda MX-6 was produced at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan.
After that period, Mazda shifted all production outside the U.S. until its return nearly 30 years later. Despite the production gap, Mazda maintained a strong North American presence through Mazda North American Operations, headquartered in Irvine, California, which oversees:
- Sales
- Marketing
- Customer service
- Parts distribution
Mazda currently supports more than 600 dealerships across the U.S. and Mexico.
What Does the Mazda Name Mean?
The name “Mazda” has both cultural and personal significance.
It was first used in 1931 with the Mazda-Go, a three-wheeled vehicle produced by what was then called Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. At the time, the company primarily manufactured industrial machinery.
The name “Mazda” comes from two sources:
- Ahura Mazda, the ancient Persian god of wisdom and harmony
- Jujiro Matsuda, Mazda’s founder, whose surname is pronounced similarly in Japanese
Mazda officially adopted the Mazda name as its corporate identity in 1984, aligning its brand with both innovation and heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mazda Ownership
Who owns Mazda today?
Mazda is owned by the Mazda Motor Corporation, an independent Japanese automaker. It is not owned by Ford, Toyota, or any other car company.
Who owned Mazda before?
Ford Motor Company previously owned more than 33 percent of Mazda but fully sold its stake by 2015.
Who owns Mazda cars?
Mazda cars are produced and sold by Mazda Motor Corporation. Ownership does not vary by region.
Is Mazda a Japanese company?
Yes. Mazda is headquartered near Hiroshima, Japan, and remains a Japanese-owned company.
Does Toyota own Mazda?
No. Toyota does not own Mazda. The two companies have a strategic partnership but remain separate and independent.
Final Answer: Who Owns Mazda?
To summarize clearly:
- Mazda is owned by Mazda Motor Corporation
- Mazda is an independent Japanese automaker
- Ford previously owned a large stake but exited completely by 2015
- Toyota is a partner, not an owner
- Mazda controls its own engineering, design, and future strategy
If you are researching who owns Mazda, who owned Mazda, or who owns the Mazda car company, the conclusion is simple: Mazda stands on its own.
