2 (Japan, 1997)

Mazda launched and started the production of its model ‘Demio’ in 1996, when it still wasn’t known as Mazda 2. This car was actually a surprisingly great success for Mazda in Japan.
Outside the Japanese borders, Mazda sold this car as either the Demio or the 121, except for the Australian market where it was dubbed Mazda Metro. The same car was also badged with the Ford symbol as the American brand sold it under the name Ford Festiva Mini Wagon – only in Japan –, this being a consequence of the cooperative work that had been done between the two car companies.

In any case, the Mazda Demio was actually built at Mazda’s Spanish factory in Valencia. The Demio, or first generation Mazda 2, stopped being produced in 2001, giving space for a new generation to come.