The company's model codes form the fourth and fifth characters of the VIN on post-1981 vehicles.
Instead of the model code letter, position four in the VIN specifies the vehicle's safety systems, and position five specifies the marque, due to being built in a multi-brand facility.
Prior to 1981, Mazda used a different VIN format and model code naming scheme.
The following pre-1981 model groups are known: The next digit of the VIN specified the engine: The rear multi-link suspension is remarkably similar to the "E type" found in the HC's platform.
Although also similar to Ford's own design, Mazda engineers said this is a revival of the "E type" multi-link.