| Mazda Demio | |
|---|---|
_Metro_Shades_hatchback_(2016-01-04)_01_(cropped).jpg) 2000 Mazda 121 Metro Shades (Australia) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mazda |
| Also called | Mazda 121 (1996–2002) Mazda2 (2002–2019) |
| Production | 1996–2019 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact/Supermini (B) |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Mazda D platform |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford Festiva/Mazda 121 Autozam Revue |
| Successor | Mazda2 (DJ) (renamed to) |
The Mazda Demio (マツダ・デミオ, Matsuda Demio) is a subcompact/supermini/B-segment small car manufactured by Mazda since 1996. While sold across four generations in the domestic Japanese market, the Demio nameplate was rarely used outside of Japan, where it was usually called the Mazda2. The Demio nameplate was retired in 2019 as Mazda changed over to "Mazda2" for their home market as well.
The Demio is built on the Mazda D platform and was preceded by two other small cars based on the platform: the Ford Festiva (designed and built by Mazda for Ford and also sold as the Mazda 121) that was introduced in 1986 and the Revue (sold by Mazda's Autozam marque) introduced in 1990. The name "Demio" is derived from Latin meus to show possession, which in many Romance languages has become "mio."
The third generation Demio was among the top three finalists of the World Car Awards, which it won,[1] while the fourth generation won the 2014–2015 Car of the Year Japan.[2]
The first generation Demio was sold as the Ford Festiva Mini Wagon in some markets.
- ^ "World Car of the Year Awards". World Car Awards. 2008. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
- ^ De Guzman, Marcus (13 October 2014). "All-new Mazda2/Demio wins the Japanese Car of The Year award". Autoindustriya.com. Retrieved 13 October 2014.