Quite a few manufacturers were slow to catch on to the FWD Hatchback revolution, famously taking the likes of Ford decades to finally answer what Renault created with their 16 in 1965. Japanese brands were similarly reluctant in their approach, surprising given their ability to learn quickly.
Mazda was one of the earlier far-eastern brands to release a hatchback, although its conventional RWD layout still appeased the conservative home markets. Based on the previous generation Familia, the drivetrain layout restriction would eat up passenger space and force the need for a high boot sill, but did offer a pleasant and undemanding driving experience and rarely went wrong.
Introduced into the UK in 1977 badged as the 323, its RWD mechanical simplicity must have given it some advantage to those still unconvinced by the thought of owning an FWD car, and the option of an automatic gearbox offered a distinct advantage too. It provided Mazda with their best-selling UK car of the 70s and opened up the way for Mazda’s first FWD, the BD series 323 in 1980.
