Mazda Uses Cork in MX-30 Cabin as Tribute to Its Past

Mazda-MX-30
Mazda, the Japanese car company behind the joy that is the MX-5, didn’t start out making cars. Beginning life in 1920, Mazda actually began by making cork, and was known back then as the Toyo Cork Kogyo. Though it abandoned cork production when it started making cars in 1931, Mazda signals a return of sorts to its roots with the forthcoming Mazda MX-30 EV, which applies a healthy helping of cork material in its cabin design. Mazda uses cork to line the floating center console and inner door handle trim of its first battery electric production car—a fitting tribute to a material that set in motion the enterprise now known the world over as Mazda Corporation. Mazda-MX-30 Mazda’s home town of Hiroshima is a big part of why cork was key to the founding of the company. The region was abundant with cork trees, and the local shipbuilding industry was thriving. Cork is an essential material in shipbuilding, thus, cork production was a sensible commercial venture to pursue for any business-minded individual like Jujiro Matsuda, the company’s founder. Although, his expertise was in machinery and engineering, Matsuda quickly proved his adaptability with several innovations including the production of pressed cork boards. Despite some initial setbacks, Jujiro - who would eventually take the post of president – succeeded in bringing new cork products to market including insulation and cushioning materials. After renaming the company Toyo Kogyo in 1927, he led the company into machinery manufacturing, which ultimately led to the production of three-wheeled trucks, building the basis of the Mazda we now know today. Knowing this background, it’s only apt that the design team of the Mazda MX-30 turned to cork when looking for a sustainable, stylish and durable material to use in the cabin of Mazda’s first battery electric production car. Mazda-MX-30 “With (cork) occupying such a significant place in Mazda’s history it’s only right we chose it for the MX-30 cabin,” said Yoichi Matsuda, Mazda MX-30 Chief Designer. “Especially as cork’s sustainability is perfectly aligned to a car like the MX-30, a car where we have also used a material made from recycled plastic bottles to make the fabric in the door trims, we even have bio-engineered plastic in elements of the front and rear doors,” he added. As Mazda celebrates 100 years, the decision to use cork in the MX-30’s cabin becomes more poignant, as it serves as a “perfect and a fitting reminder of the company’s origins.” The MX-30 EV starts arriving at global markets early next year.  

Also Read

Mazda Teases Its Upcoming EV with New Video

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Toyota PH recalls select LC300 units for possible faulty automatic transmission ECU
    Toyota PH recalls select LC300 units for possible faulty automatic transmission ECU
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • ENI now in PH
    ENI now in PH
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • Honda develops AI-powered accessibility app for blind, visually impaired
    Honda develops AI-powered accessibility app for blind, visually impaired
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Kia's first pickup truck named 'Tasman'
    Kia's first pickup truck named 'Tasman'
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Fuel prices continue to soar this week
    Fuel prices continue to soar this week
    Ruben Manahan IV . Apr 15, 2024
  • MIAS 2024: Here’s what transpired on the first day of the annual auto expo
    MIAS 2024: Here’s what transpired on the first day of the annual auto expo
    Paulo Papa . Apr 06, 2024
  • ELECTRIA: here are the EV classifications per DOE
    ELECTRIA: here are the EV classifications per DOE
    Paulo Papa . Apr 01, 2024
  • Brembo: an ideal choice for discerning Filipino car owners
    Brembo: an ideal choice for discerning Filipino car owners
    Paulo Papa . Mar 26, 2024
  • Flyweight feud: Suzuki S-Presso AGS vs. Honda Brio V CVT
    Flyweight feud: Suzuki S-Presso AGS vs. Honda Brio V CVT
    Paulo Papa . Mar 20, 2024
  • Cabin check: What’s inside the BYD Atto 3
    Cabin check: What’s inside the BYD Atto 3
    Paulo Papa . Mar 19, 2024
  • Here are some ideal destinations and safety tips for the upcoming Holy Week
    Here are some ideal destinations and safety tips for the upcoming Holy Week
    Paulo Papa . Mar 08, 2024
  • Here are some New Year’s resolutions for car owners
    Here are some New Year’s resolutions for car owners
    Paulo Papa . Jan 03, 2024
  • PH auto market: 2023 in retrospect
    PH auto market: 2023 in retrospect
    Paulo Papa . Dec 15, 2023
  • Here’s a holiday gift guide for car enthusiasts
    Here’s a holiday gift guide for car enthusiasts
    Hazel Nicole Carreon . Dec 15, 2023
  • Oil players cut pump prices anew
    Oil players cut pump prices anew
    Paulo Papa . Nov 14, 2023
  • ELECTRIA: Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid is fit for modern families
    ELECTRIA: Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid is fit for modern families
    Ruben Manahan IV . Apr 02, 2024
  • First look: JMC Vigus
    First look: JMC Vigus
    Paulo Papa . Apr 01, 2024
  • First look: JMC Grand Avenue
    First look: JMC Grand Avenue
    Paulo Papa . Mar 27, 2024
  • Above average: Toyota Raize G
    Above average: Toyota Raize G
    Paulo Papa . Mar 22, 2024
  • BYD Atto 3: from the metro to the mountains
    BYD Atto 3: from the metro to the mountains
    Paulo Papa . Mar 18, 2024