- The MX-5 was unveiled to the public for the first time at the Chicago Motor Show in February, 1989.
- It was released in Australia on October 11, 1989.
- Recommended Retail Price (RRP) in October 1989 was AUD $29,550 without hardtop, $31,650 with hardtop.
- RRP in October 1993 was AUD $36,110 including power steering.
- Officially became a "classic" in June 1990.
- Road & Track magazine named the MX-5 as one of the "World's Best Cars" in its July 1989 issue.
- 1,853 MX-5's were sold in Australia in its first year of release.
- The MX-5 won all three of Australia's major car of the year awards in 1990 - Wheels' "Car of the Year", Motor's "Best Car" and Car Australia's "Car of Australia".
- The first Limited Edition - the BRG "Limited Edition MX-5" - went on sale in Australia on October 23 1990.
300 vehicles were imported fitted with tan leather interior, Momo gearshift knob, CD player, headrest speakers, stainless steel scuff plates, air conditioning, colour-keyed hardtop and special Neo Green body colour, the RRP was $38,250.
- The second Limited Edition MX-5, the "Malibu Gold MX-5", was introduced in Australia in December 1991.
60 Malibu Golds were built featuring remote boot release, storage box under the audio system, electrified hardtop, CD player, headrest speakers and a vivid chrome yellow colour, the RRP was $32,250.
- The third Limited Edition, the "Classic Red", was released in May 1993.
100 vehicles were imported into Australia featuring BBS alloy rims, tan softtop and interior, leather gear knob, leather upholstery, CD player, headrest speakers, stainless steel scuff plates, power steering and colour keyed hardtop.
- Quantities of MX-5's built:
- 45,266 built in 1989
- 95,640 built in 1990
- 62,491 built in 1991
- 52,712 built in 1992
- 44,743 built in 1993
- 39,623 built in 1994
- 31,886 built in 1995
- The 200,000th MX-5 rolled off the Hiroshima line in December 1991.
- The 250,000th MX-5 was built in November 1992 - three years and seven months after manufacture began on April 9 1989.
- Mazda MX-5 clubs have been formed in all states of Australia.
The Mazda MX-5 Club of Vic/Tas was the largest initial membership club ever affiliated with CAMS.
- A 1.8 litre facelifted model was introduced in November 1993.
- 4,567 MX-5's have been sold in Australia from October 1989 to end October 1996.
- The return of the Neo Green (BRG) Mazda MX-5 LE marks the second appearance as the cars' most sought after model.
- The 400,000th MX-5 was built in November 1996 - seven years and six months after manufacture began in April 1989.
|
