Introduced in a time full of negative press coverage, the Demio became a surprise hit for Mazda in Japan, and also foreshadowed the current crop of B-segment minivans such as the Opel Meriva, Fiat Idea and the Renault Modus.

[6] Production of the car for European market was consigned to the Almussafes Ford plant in Valencia, Spain since 20 January 2003.

The European-exclusive version of Mazda2 (DY) uses a pedal box directly sourced from Ford Fiesta, with their own 4x108 bolt pattern instead of 4x100.

In some European countries such as the Netherlands, there was the option to buy the gasoline car in bi-fuel LPG version from the factory.

[citation needed] The Chinese model of the Mazda2 in five-door hatchback body style launched at the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show.

[25] The sedan body style was manufactured in Thailand and China and marketed only in Southeast Asia, Oceania, South America and the Caribbean.

[33] Chinese models were built in Changan Ford Mazda's Nanjing plant at the end of October 2007.

[35][36] Mazda2 local assembly in Vietnam began in October 2011 at the Nui Thanh Quang Nam plant owned by Vina Mazda Automobile Manufacturing.

In February 2011, Mazda Australia had reverted to Japanese sourced production, which led to the discontinuation of the sedan being offered after just 9 months on-sale.

[42] The North American version of the Mazda2 debuted at the 2009 LA Auto Show,[43] and later at the 2010 Canadian International AutoShow.

The 15C (with CVT), 13C-V and 13C (with a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission) models include Mazda's eco-lamp.

Sport, 15C, 13C-V and 13C (with e-4WD) model grades include new three-point seatbelt and headrest on the second-row center seat as standard equipment.

[citation needed] The 13-Skyactiv model includes the first Skyactiv engine, a 1.3-liter with 83 hp (62 kW) and 83 lb·ft (113 N·m) of torque, intelligent-Drive Master (i-DM), CVT transmission, 14-inch alloy wheels, Aquatic Blue Mica exterior body color option, dynamic stability control with brake assist, traction control.

[51] The Demio EV is a limited (100 leased units) production electric vehicle for the Japanese market.

[58] Its design was previously previewed by the Mazda Hazumi Concept model, which was showcased at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

[66] Production of the Mazda2 for various North and South American markets began in October 2014 at the newly built Mazda de México Vehicle Operation (MMVO) factory in Salamanca, Guanajuato.

[67][56][68] Despite being produced in North America, Mazda did not sell the vehicle in Canada or the United States (except in Puerto Rico).

With the facelift model, the Demio nameplate for the Japanese domestic market was renamed into Mazda2 moniker in September 2019.

Auto-folding side mirrors, dusk sensing for the LED headlights, and rain-sensing windscreen wipers are standard.

[75] The Mazda2 uses Mazda's Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic and Skyactiv-MT five- and six-speed manual gearboxes[76] as well as stop-start technology ("i-STOP" turns the engine off when the car is stationary) and a brake energy regeneration system ("i-ELOOP" uses braking to charge a capacitor for all car electronics, in place of an alternator charging a battery).

In February 2024, Mazda introduced the Mazda2 Grand Touring LX Carbon Edition hatchback in Colombia, which is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and 186 N⋅m (137 lb⋅ft) of torque.

[77] While the Mazda2 is produced in North America at Mazda's plant in Mexico, the company did not sell the vehicle in Canada or the United States (except in Puerto Rico).

[69][70] The rebadged Mazdas received different model codes starting with DA, DB, or DD.

[83] For 2019, with the Yaris Sedan rebranding, the vehicle received a minor facelift, and L, LE and XLE trim levels were introduced with a variety of interior and exterior options.

[85][86] Exports of both the sedan and hatchback to the United States were stopped in June 2020 due to new regulations and slow sales.