Here’s why Mazda MX-5 is still popular after 30 years

MANILA: On Sunday morning, over 2,000 Mazda MX-5 cars paraded the streets and entered the Miyoshi Proving Ground. Proud owners of the iconic roadster drove into the testing facility to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Among those who attended were members of the Miata Club of the Philippines.

MX-5 owners from Australia, Italy, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and other parts of the world also joined in a display of camaraderie. The event was organized by the Roadster Club of Japan with one thing in mind – their love for the MX-5.

“Welcome home to Hiroshima,” the signs cheeringly greeted drivers as they drove into Mazda’s main testing facility. With them was their beloved Mazda MX-5, also known as Mazda Roadster in Japan and Mazda Miata in the United States.

The Philippines was the largest group to attend the event, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. The country is the second-largest Asian market for the roadster next to Japan.

To date, Mazda Philippines has sold more than 650 units of the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 ND. Its sales have surpassed the first-generation NA, the second generation NB, and the third generation NC models altogether.

It’s been thirty years since the first model was released. But what does the Mazda MX-5 have that people continue to fall in love with it? Is it the car’s lightweight and compact design? Is it the open-top? Or is it the rear-wheel-drive?

The answer: It’s a combination of all three. Since releasing the first MX-5 NC model in 1989, Mazda stuck with the basic principle that made their sportscar lovable. However, with each new generation, its power was improved.

By producing all MX-5 cars in Hiroshima, Mazda was able to keep its strict standards. The Japanese automaker made sure they were all lightweight, open-top sportscars with rear-wheel drive.

Kiyoshi Fujiwara, Vice President of Mazda Motor Corporation (MMC) says you can expect to see the same elements in the fifth-generation Mazda MX-5 NE. Masashi Nakayama, the chief designer of the sportscar, says that the latest version will be an “evolution” of the MX-5 ND.

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