Mazda vs Suzuki: Founders, CEOs and History
Mazda was founded in 1920 by Jujiro Matsuda, Kenichi Yamamoto and is led by Masahiro Moro. Suzuki was founded in 1909 by Michio Suzuki and is led by Toshihiro Suzuki.
Company facts
Founders
Mazda
Jujiro Matsuda
Jujiro Matsuda founded the company (originally Toyo Cork Kogyo) in 1920 in Hiroshima. He rescued a failing artificial cork manufacturing business and aggressively pivoted it into machine tools and eventually three-wheeled autorickshaws (the Mazda-Go).
Kenichi Yamamoto
Kenichi Yamamoto is widely considered the 'father of the rotary engine.' While not the original founder, he was the absolute driving engineering force that convinced Mazda to bet the entire company's survival on the highly experimental Wankel rotary engine in…
Suzuki
Michio Suzuki
Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Works in 1909. A brilliant, highly pragmatic inventor, he initially built incredibly reliable, highly innovative mechanical weaving looms for Japan's massive silk industry.
CEOs and their tenures
Mazda
- Takashi Yamanouchi2008–2013
President and Chief Executive Officer
He launched the Skyactiv technology programme. Masamichi Kogai succeeded him in 2013.
Source - Akira Marumoto2018–2023
Representative Director, President and CEO
Serving as CEO from 2018 to 2023, he guided Mazda through the catastrophic semiconductor shortage, completely abandoning massive sales volume targets to focus entirely on per-unit profitability.
Source - Masahiro Moro2023–present
Representative Director, President & CEO
As CEO, he navigated the massive, systemic crisis of Mazda's extreme delay in EV development by aggressively focusing on the highly lucrative North American market to generate the cash needed for survival.
Source
Suzuki
- Osamu Suzuki1978–2021
President & Chairman (19782021)
Transformed a regional Japanese motorcycle and kei car manufacturer into a global automotive leader producing over 3 million cars annually.
Source - Toshihiro Suzuki2015–present
Representative Director & President / CEO
Modernized Suzuki's product lineup, maintained market leadership in India and Japan, and navigated the capital-intensive transition to electrification while preserving corporate profitability.
Source
Timeline: Mazda and Suzuki side by side
1909Suzuki
Michio Suzuki Founds Suzuki Loom Works: Michio Suzuki establishes Suzuki Loom Works in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, manufacturing innovative weaving looms for Japan's booming textile trade.
1920Mazda
Toyo Cork Kogyo Founded in Hiroshima
Jujiro Matsuda established artificial cork manufacturing in Hiroshima.
1931Mazda
Launch of Mazda-Go Three-Wheeler
Introduced Mazda's first motorized vehicle to support Japanese transport.
1945Mazda
Surviving Hiroshima & Rebuilding
Factory sheltered from the atomic bomb, serving as the city's reconstruction HQ.
1952Suzuki
Launch of Power Free Motorized Bicycle: Suzuki enters motorized transportation with the Power Free 36cc two-stroke motorized bicycle, designed to provide affordable transportation for post-war Japanes…
1955Suzuki
Launch of Suzulight: Japan's Kei Car Pioneer: Introduces the Suzulight, a lightweight front-wheel-drive 360cc passenger car that helped pioneer Japan's official kei car minivehicle regulations.
1967Mazda
Commercial Launch of Rotary Cosmo Sport
Commercialized world's first dual-rotor Wankel rotary sports car.
1970Suzuki
Launch of First-Generation Jimny (LJ10): Unveils the Jimny LJ10, the world's first mass-produced 4x4 minivehicle, initiating a half-century global off-road cult phenomenon.
1982Suzuki
Historic Joint Venture Agreement Forming Maruti Udyog in India: Osamu Suzuki signs a landmark joint venture agreement with the Government of India, establishing Maruti Udyog Limited to motorized the s…
1983Suzuki
Rollout of the Maruti 800 in India: The first Maruti 800 rolls off the Gurgaon assembly line, priced accessibly to become the definitive people's car that motorized modern India.
1989Mazda
World Premiere of MX-5 Miata
Unveiled the lightweight roadster that defined modern sports car joy.
1991Mazda
Historic Victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans
Mazda 787B became the first Japanese car to win Le Mans with rotary power.
2004Suzuki
Launch of First Global Strategic Vehicle: Suzuki Swift: Debuts the redesigned Suzuki Swift as a global strategic hatchback engineered to European driving dynamics, achieving over 9 million global sale…
2009Suzuki
Volkswagen Alliance
Volkswagen bought a 19.9 percent stake in Suzuki in December 2009. The alliance broke down and ended in 2015.
2015Suzuki
Victory in London International Arbitration Against Volkswagen: International Court of Arbitration orders Volkswagen to divest its 19.9% stake in Suzuki, vindicating Osamu Suzuki's defense of manageme…
2018Mazda
Akira Marumoto becomes CEO
Akira Marumoto became CEO of Mazda Motor in 2018. Led Mazda from 2018 until Masahiro Moro succeeded him in June 2023.
2019Suzuki
Capital Alliance Established with Toyota Motor Corporation: Toyota acquires a 4.94% equity stake in Suzuki, while Suzuki invests approximately $450 million in Toyota shares, cementing collaboration on…
2021Mazda
Opening of Mazda Toyota Alabama Plant
Inaugurated $2.3B joint venture factory assembling the CX-50.
2021Suzuki
Retirement of Osamu Suzuki at Age 91: Osamu Suzuki retires as Chairman after 43 years leading the corporation, transferring full stewardship to President Toshihiro Suzuki.
2023Mazda
Masahiro Moro becomes CEO
Masahiro Moro became CEO of Mazda Motor in 2023. Previously ran Mazda North American Operations; became President and CEO in June 2023 and is steering Mazda through US tariffs, the new CX-5 launch and a slower EV timeline.
2025Suzuki
Global Rollout of Suzuki eVX Electric SUV: Launches its first dedicated global battery electric SUV (eVX) manufactured in Gujarat, India, featuring 60 kWh battery capacity and 500 km electric range.
2026Mazda
US Tariffs Cut Operating Income to ¥51.6 Billion
FY March 2026 net sales were ~$33 billion (¥4.92 trillion); operating income fell 72% as US tariffs hit Japan- and Mexico-built exports.
Acquisitions
Mazda
No verified acquisitions are listed.
Suzuki
- Suzuki Motor Gujarat Pvt Ltd (Full Consolidation)2023$1.5B
- GMDAT2004Undisclosed
- Maruti Suzuki India Limited (Controlling Majority Equity Expansion)2002$242M
Questions about Mazda vs Suzuki
Who is the CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Mazda Motor Corporation is led by Masahiro Moro and Suzuki Motor Corporation is led by Toshihiro Suzuki. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Mazda Motor Corporation founded vs Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Suzuki Motor Corporation was founded in 1909 — 11 years before Mazda Motor Corporation, which was founded in 1920. Suzuki Motor Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Mazda Motor Corporation.
How many employees does Mazda Motor Corporation have compared to Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Mazda Motor Corporation employs approximately 48,000 people, while Suzuki Motor Corporation employs approximately 70,000. Suzuki Motor Corporation has the larger workforce at 70,000 employees, compared to Mazda Motor Corporation's 48,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Mazda Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation headquartered?
Both Mazda Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation are headquartered in Japan. Their local rules and tax obligations may still differ.
Who founded Mazda Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Mazda Motor Corporation was founded by Jujiro Matsuda, Kenichi Yamamoto. Suzuki Motor Corporation was founded by Michio Suzuki.
Which company has a longer operating history — Mazda Motor Corporation or Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Suzuki Motor Corporation has been operating for approximately 117 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Mazda Motor Corporation has been in operation for around 106 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Mazda vs Suzuki overview