Mazda MX-5 Miata: World’s Best-Selling Sports Car Explodes in Demand

Miata 4 Selling Faster than 3 Despite Decade on Sale

As of April 22nd, 2016, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has sold an impressive one million units since it was offered to the public 27 years ago. We understand since then, the iconic two-seater sports car continues to be a top seller worldwide as it nears its 1.2 millionth purchase.

As part of our investigation into the ranking of each era of Mazda Miata from least good to most esteemed, representatives from the auto manufacturer were eager to assist us in gathering data, which showed that up until the end of August 2023, a total of 1,192,886 MX-5 Miata units had been sold around the globe since its introduction at the Detroit Auto Show back in 1989.

In spite of September’s sales figures, a proclamation released by Mazda at the Japan Mobility Show illustrated that their iconic sports vehicle had already created its 1.2 millionth unit, firmly cementing another great accomplishment in its glamorous history.

By May 2023, Porsche had sold an equivalent amount of 911s, a revered sports car that has been in existence for almost double the amount of time as the Miatam. This year, the iconic vehicle is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Refreshed figures don’t just present positive news for the distinguished Guinness World Record set in May 2000 (531,890 cars then), but also shows robust sales of the car, a sign that it may acquire its next 200,000 units to sell in far less time than it took to offload the latest 200,000.

It has been around 6.5 years for Mazda before their 200,000th sports car was sold. Previous to this, near to nine years (June 2007 – April 2016) had gone by since they achieved a milestone of 800,000 vehicles to 1,000,000. Five and a half years (January 2002 – June 2007) were used to complete the 200,000th which is not the speediest within Mazda’s chronicles but still emphatically portrays that there is persevering need from buyers for the fourth-generation sports car despite the fact that it will have been for sale since 2024 for nearly 9 years.

Mazda has just unveiled a new spate of modifications for the ND3 facelift intended for the remaking of the 2024 model year. This comprises redesigned headlights and tail lamps, an exclusive asymmetrical differential assisting in honing the driving ability of the sports car to an increasingly sharp level, as well as a distinctive DSC Track mode. With no sign of abatement, these updates are likely to ensure the future of Mazda will be thriving.

Mazda’s engineers have drawn a comparison between the conception of the MX-5 and that of the Porsche 911, implying that the base of this car can be modified to remain pertinent within varying markets. This was observed by following generations as they maintained a unified frame, and it could possibly be the same for the NM platform, making the third-generation MX-5 the only single-edition structure, albeit one shared with the Mazda RX-8.

When it comes to the ND chassis, Dave Coleman, Mazda’s vehicle development engineer, had this to say to CarBuzz: “Yeah, I think it’s got life. Obviously, I can’t tell you what our future product plans are, but take a look back at the NA and NB as an example of how much longevity you can get out of a sports car platform.”

Mazda has no intention of allowing the MX-5 to become a thing of the past, while it may become mandatory to use electrification, they will make sure there is no decrease in the key points that give the Miata its special identity, including lightweight build and exhilarating driving mechanisation.

Despite the fact that sports cars represent a niche sector in a waning compact automobile market, appetite for the Mazda MX-5 Miata appears to be augmenting – contradicting standard industry tendencies in multiple aspects. It is thus displaying that there remains consumer enthusiasm for sporting models, while denying the concept that contemporary vehicles must be bigger and more substantial than before. We fervently hope this continues unimpeded.