Mazda Laputa

The Mazda Laputa was a kei car that Mazda sold in Japan from May 1999 to 2006 as its own-badged version of the Suzuki Kei. Suzuki launched the Kei in October 1998 as its response to the revised kei car dimensions, first as a three-door hatchback, and added a five-door version in March 1999. The Laputa was produced by Suzuki and sold by Mazda, so it is an example of the badge engineering through which Mazda widened its small car range with a Suzuki design. The Kei itself stayed on sale until 2009, and its direct successor, the Suzuki Hustler, was launched in December 2013. Because the Laputa shares its design with the Suzuki, its running history follows the Kei's grade changes and facelifts in October 2000 and April 2006.