Mazda Mazda-Go Type-DA
In 1931, Mazda was still Toyo Kogyo, and its first vehicle was not a family car. The Mazda-Go Type-DA was a compact three-wheel truck made to carry goods through narrow Japanese streets. Its motorcycle-like front end steered, while two rear wheels supported the cargo bed.
Mazda-Go Type-DA.jpg · Unknown author · Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto and PD-1996)
Research pending
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More than a set of wheels.
The Type-DA marked Toyo Kogyo's move into motor vehicles. Mazda says the company aimed for class-leading performance and maximum payload, developed the engine itself, fitted reverse and a rear differential, and patented several parts. Mitsubishi handled sales, so early Mazda-Go branding paired the Mazda name with Mitsubishi's three-diamond mark. The vehicle also established the Mazda name decades before it became the company's corporate name.
Look a little closer.
The first Mazda vehicle wore both the Mazda word and Mitsubishi's three-diamond emblem because Mitsubishi's trading company sold it.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Why three wheels made sense
A single front wheel kept the steering mechanism narrow and simple, while the paired rear wheels made a stable platform for cargo. For a young manufacturer, that layout concentrated engineering effort on the parts that mattered most to a delivery vehicle: an engine, a reversible gearbox, a differential and a useful load bed.
Source: Mazda — Mazda-Go ↗A Mazda with Mitsubishi diamonds
The shared badge is a clue to how a small maker reached customers. Toyo Kogyo built the truck, while Mitsubishi Shoji's sales network distributed it. The arrangement put Mazda's new name in front of buyers without pretending that Mazda already had a nationwide retail network of its own.
Source: Mazda — Evolution of the Mazda Brand Symbol ↗Where these facts come from
- Mazda — Mazda-Go
- Mazda Virtual Museum — Mazda-Go Type-DA gallery
- Mazda — Evolution of the Mazda Brand Symbol
- Mazda — History Highlights
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed 2026-10-01.