Mazda's new logo

HIROSHIMA: Mazda Japan has released pictures of its new brand symbol, which featured on the new 626 first launched in England this week.

The design features an oval containing a stylized winged M.

The previous symbol was used on all Mazda export vehicles but did not appear on some Japanese market vehicles. It was disliked in internal Mazda circles in Japan.

Mazda hopes the symbol will establish a stronger international identity for the marque.

It was developed by Rei Yoshimura, who designed Mazda's existing corporate symbol, which has only been in existence for the past six years.

When Mazda launched its existing symbol in 1991 it raised the ire of Renault of France, which claimed it was too similar to the Renault logo.

Renault's much older and more established corporate identification was similar to the Mazda design.

Renault lodged strong protests to Mazda Japan.

Mazda Japan hopes its new symbol will be received with less controversy.