My Mazda, My Story

Masahiro Moro, chairman and CEO of MNAO, continues to cultivate lifelong Mazda fans

Mazda North American Operations CEO and President Moro-san

Celebrating 30 Years of the MX-5 Miata begins with celebrating our fans and their stories. We asked owners and enthusiasts from around the country to submit their MX-5 stories to celebrate the debut of the 30th Anniversary MX-5 Miata at the Chicago Auto Show.

In his more than 30-year tenure at Mazda Motor Corporation, Moro, now the chairman and CEO of Mazda North American Operations and senior managing executive officer of Mazda Motor Corporation, has spent his career serving in various marketing, sales and customer service capacities around the globe for Mazda, with the sole focus of making lifelong fans out of Mazda customers.

“Since its world debut 30 years ago, MX-5 Miata has one of the strongest fan-followings of any single car in our lineup,” Moro explained. “Across the four different generations of the MX-5, the fan base continues to grow in size and loyalty and it’s something we’re forever grateful for.”

“In the late ‘80s, it was all about having large, high-power sports cars,” Moro said. “MX-5 really broke that mold by being a lightweight roadster with exceptional driving dynamics. The amazing part is that over MX-5’s 30-year history, it’s stayed completely true to its roots.”

The latest generation MX-5 was designed around the driver, with great thought given to the slightest details. Pedals were optimized to fall in-line with the natural movement of the driver’s feet to help achieve greater comfort. The hood has been lowered, the windshield A-pillars pushed back and made more upright for greater visibility and the exterior paint color has been brought into the door panels – all to help provide a greater sensation of the world outside of the car.

“I remember the first time I saw the MX-5,” Moro recalled. “I was shocked--it was completely different than anything out there and instantly brought a smile to my face. Now all these years later, I still catch myself with a smile when I’m behind the wheel of one.”

Continuing to embrace the aspiration infused into the original 1989 MX-5 Miata, the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary represents three decades of history. Those three decades have been filled with so many people. From the passionate Mazda engineers who took on the challenge of building on the ambitions of their predecessors, to all the customers around the world, this vehicle is truly an iconic roadster. It is so revered that the MX-5 was able to achieve production of the one millionth unit in April 2016.

“MX-5 has won over 280 awards around the world,” Moro said. “This could not have been possible without all of the dedicated men and women at Mazda over the years nor would it have been possible without the unshakable support of Mazda owners and fans all over the world. Our goal for this special edition was to commemorate all of the milestones and all of the important people that have been part of this incredible journey, especially Mazda’s enthusiastic fans.”

For Moro, the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary marks a major milestone for the iconic roadster and it holds a special place in his heart.

“With every MX-5, we’re aiming to further enhance our customer’s sense of exclusivity and pride of ownership,” Moro explained. “I’m particularly proud of the impactful the MX-5 has on the lives’ of our owners. I have a great deal of pride for the MX-5 and couldn’t be more thankful to our dedicated fans, owners, employees and advocates around the world.”