This list of Mazda model codes describes following model codes which have been used by
Mazda since the 1980s.
Naming scheme
The company's model codes form the fifth and sixth characters of the
VIN on post-1981 vehicles. The first character is a letter representing the model family, while the second is a sequential letter for subsequent models. For example, the Mazda N family used by the
Mazda Miata started at NA and was updated in 1998 to NB and in 2006 to NC. The 2016 and newer MX-5s are designated ND.
Mazda generally starts
car model codes at the letter "A", but
van and
truck variants often get different names, usually starting at "V".
Note: The US-built
Mazda6 and
Tribute do not use the Mazda model code in the VIN; in its place is an
AutoAlliance code. Instead of the model code letter, position four in the VIN specifies the vehicle's safety systems, and position five specifies the
marque, due to being built in a multi-brand facility.
Old VINs
Prior to 1981, Mazda used a different VIN format and model code naming scheme. The model families were given two characters, and the model a third, based on their names.
This is the first showing of Mazda's SS (self-stabilizing) rear suspension. The two lower parallel links of the rear strut are designed to induce toe-in on the rear tire on the outer side of the curve (e.g. right turn - left rear tire).
GC used Mazda's first
front-wheel drivemid-size car platform. Available body styles were the two-door coupe, four-door
sedan, and five-door
hatchback. The
Ford Telstar hatchback version was called the TX5: there was no Telstar version of the coupe. Production was in Japan, with local assembly in
Australia (Telstar only),
New Zealand,
Taiwan and
South Africa, where the model continued in production until 1993.
The Japanese market
Mazda Capella never used the GE's platform. Rather, a new model (the
Mazda Cronos) was introduced alongside the Capella, while the Capella continued on an updated version of the GC's platform until 1993 and was then moved to a new platform for the CG from 1994 through 1997. Basis for
Ford Probe,
Kia Credos and
Kia Carnival. As Ford and Mazda shared engineering technologies, the GE's platform is related to the
Ford CDW27/CD162/CD132, used for the
Ford Mondeo and
Jaguar X-Type.
The Capella and 626 were again reunited as the GF in 1997. An updated
station wagon version, the GW, was finally introduced as well. See
Ford CD2 platform.
The rear
multi-link suspension is remarkably similar to the "E type" found in the HC's platform. Although also similar to Ford's own design, Mazda engineers said this is a revival of the "E type" multi-link. Basis for
Besturn B70.
Introduced in 2008, GH uses a retuned and revised version of the preceding GG chassis. See
Ford CD3 platform. The code GH is also used for the first generation Mazda CX-5, though it primarily uses KE.
The HB was introduced in 1981 as the
Mazda Cosmocoupe and
Mazda Luce/
929sedan. The Luce was updated in 1986, with the 929 following the next year for some markets, but the Cosmo continued on until 1989.
The JC uses a totally new platform developed for 1990s and is unique to the JC Cosmo. Its closest cousin is the HD-929 from 1991 to 1995. It was a major update from the previous HB
Cosmo's platform.
The NA utilized many components in-house, such as the
323/Familia/Protegé engine and 323 GTX differential (1.6L),
RX-7 FC (non-turbo) differential (1.8L) and transmission, but the chassis was unique.
The NB was very close to the NA mechanically. Most changes were related to the vehicle systems, including electrical wiring and a new generation of the
Mazda B engine.
The NC utilized a shortened version of the SE RX-8's platform. Many suspension and braking components are interchangeable with the RX-8, while some interior components are shared with the
Mazda6,
Mazda3 and
CX-7.
NF uses a variant of the ND's platform for the 2016 Fiat 124 Spider. While the platform design is similar, the sheet metal and
drivetrain are completely different, using the Fiat 1.4
MultiAir turbo 4 cylinder and an updated Mazda NC 6-speed manual transmission.