Autozam Carol History

Mazda revived its historic Carol nameplate in October 1989 for the new Autozam sub-brand. Although its mechanicals — front-wheel-drive platform, 547 cc (later 657 cc) Suzuki F-series engine — were shared with the contemporary Suzuki Alto, the Carol wore unique bodywork with large round headlights and a boldly curved, friendly exterior that stood apart from the angular kei cars of the era.

When Japan updated its kei-car regulations in January 1990, raising the maximum displacement to 660 cc and maximum length to 3,300 mm, Mazda quickly updated the Carol with the new 657 cc engine producing 52 PS. The Carol's distinctive round-headlight styling proved enormously influential: within a few years rounded, expressive kei car design had become the industry norm.

The Carol was the brand's genuine commercial hit, popular particularly with young female buyers in Japan. When Autozam was wound down in 1998 and stores were rebranded 'Mazda Autozam', the Carol was renamed the Mazda Carol. A completely new generation appeared in October 1998 under the Mazda name, and the Carol nameplate has continued into the 2020s as a Suzuki Alto-based product.