Mazda's little MX 5 reaches magical milestone

Mazda has sold 900,000 MX-5s since 1989. Photo / Supplied

The 900,000th example of the two-seater Mazda MX-5 has rolled off the production line, 21 years and 10 months after the first MX-5 was built in April 1989.

The MX-5 is the longest-running model in the Mazda's line up.

In the year 2000, it was certified by Guinness World Records as the world's "best-selling two-seater sportscar" when production reached 531,890 units.

Since then, Guinness updated the record when production passed 700,000 and 800,000 units, and Mazda is in the process of reapplying to Guinness World Records to have the record updated again.

With the 900,000th unit, the Mazda MX-5 will cement its place in the record books as the world's favourite two-seater sports car.

"Since Mazda launched the original MX-5, it's undergone two complete product redesigns and a series of upgrades," said Mazda NZ managing director Andrew Clearwater.

"Its enduring success is due to the strong support it enjoys from MX-5 fans both around the world and here in New Zealand."

Mazda New Zealand will soon release a special edition version of the MX-5 to celebrate the milestone.

"Despite the additional packaging, the vehicle is priced the same as the current MX-5 manual-transmission coupe," said Clearwater.

The MX-5 will also come with a folding hard-top with rear glass window, a six-speed manual gearbox and the same 2-litre MZR engine as the current MX-5 coupe.