Mazda
Mazda formed a relationship with NSU who were using Wankels patents to build the Rotary engine for commercial use and made their Cosmo Sport which predated NSU's offering. The Rotary engine offers great power for minimal weight, the downside being fuel economy. The 1973 fuel crisis nearly broke the company as they relied on their smaller piston engined models (Familia and Capella). The MX5 continued as Mazdas piston engined car, but their huge investment in R&D for the Rotary engine led to returning in 1978 with a more efficient Mazda RX-7 and later RX-8 models.
