The Mazda 323, is a small family car that was manufactured by Mazda between 1963 and 2003. It is known as Zimbabwe’s car since it was assembled in Zimbabwe at Willowvale Motor Industries , where it became a popular vehicle due to its affordability as a locally produced vehicle thus becoming a legacy brand.
Willowvale Motor Industries (WMI) was established in 1961 when Ford Motor Corporation of Canada imported a complete assembly plant to assemble Ford motor vehicles for the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) bought the company in 1967 for contractual assembly. Due to changes in government policy, the company was restructured into an automotive group called Motec Holdings under a joint venture partnership between Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe (IDCZ), Mazda Corporation of Japan and Itochu Corporation (C Itoh & Co then) of Japan. This agreement was signed in 1989 and expired in 2014.
WMMI, a subsidiary of Motec Holdings (as it was then), started to concentrate on assembling the Mazda Brand, achieving significant gains in productivity. Over the years the partnership contributed to the enhancement of production capacity, quality and skills development to enable the company to produce world class vehicles for Zimbabwe and the region.
One of the key reasons why the Mazda 323 became such a popular car in Zimbabwe was its durability. Many of these cars are still on the road today, and can often be found in pristine condition due to the fact that since it was assembled in Zimbabwe its parts are still readily available. This is in part due to the car’s simple design, which makes it easy to repair and maintain.
Another factor that contributed to the popularity of the Mazda 323 in Zimbabwe was its affordability. The car was relatively cheap to buy, making it accessible to a wide range of people. This helped to make it a common sight on Zimbabwe’s roads, and contributed to its reputation as the country’s own car.
Despite being a small car, the Mazda 323 was also known for its comfort and practicality. It had enough space to comfortably seat a family of four, and also offered good fuel efficiency. This made it an ideal car for everyday use, and helped to cement its place as one of Zimbabwe’s most popular vehicles.
In conclusion, the Mazda 323 is a car that holds a special place in the hearts of many Zimbabweans. Its affordability, durability, and practicality helped to make it a common sight on the country’s roads, and contributed to its reputation as Zimbabwe’s own car. Even today, many Zimbabweans continue to drive and cherish their Mazda 323s even though the Honda Fit is becoming a strong contender.
Reference:
