Is Mazda the only rotary?

No. Mazda is not the only company to have used rotary (Wankel) engines, but it is the only major automaker currently selling a rotary-equipped production vehicle: the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, which uses a small rotary as a range extender in select markets. Historically, several carmakers and motorcycle brands produced rotary-powered models, and today a number of specialist firms build rotary engines for drones and other applications.

What “rotary” means in this context

In modern automotive conversation, “rotary” almost always refers to the Wankel rotary-piston engine, in which a triangular rotor spins inside an oval-like housing to create combustion cycles—distinct from the early-20th-century “rotary” radial aircraft engines where the entire engine rotated around a fixed crankshaft. The Wankel’s compact size, smoothness, and high power-to-weight made it attractive to engineers, even as emissions and fuel economy challenges limited mainstream adoption.

Who else built rotary-powered cars?

The following list highlights notable automakers that sold rotary-powered cars in series or limited production. It focuses on models that reached paying customers rather than prototypes.

• NSU (Germany): NSU Wankelspider (1964–1967) and Ro 80 (1967–1977), the first mass-produced Wankel cars.
• Citroën (France): M35 (limited leases, 1969–1971) and GS Birotor (1973–1975) via the Comotor joint venture with NSU.
• VAZ/Lada (USSR/Russia): Small-batch Wankel-powered Ladas (e.g., special-service 21018/21059/21079 variants) from the 1970s through the 1990s.
• Mazda (Japan): The most persistent adopter, from the 1967 Cosmo Sport through RX-series sports cars (RX-7, RX-8), specialty and racing applications, and today’s MX-30 R-EV range extender.

Beyond these, several brands built advanced prototypes or planned programs—such as Mercedes-Benz (C111), General Motors (Corvette “2-rotor”/“4-rotor”), and AMC (intended for the Pacer)—but none reached full customer sale. The takeaway: Mazda wasn’t alone historically, but it became the sole company to industrialize and sustain the technology at scale.

Rotary engines today: beyond Mazda and beyond cars

While Mazda is the only major automaker currently selling a rotary-equipped vehicle, rotary engines remain active in other sectors. The list below outlines contemporary uses and manufacturers.

• Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and defense: Specialized companies such as UAV Engines Ltd (UK), Rotron Power (UK), Advanced Innovative Engineering/AIE (UK), and Wankel AG (Germany) produce compact rotaries prized for smoothness and power density.
• Motorsport and niche powertrains: Firms like AIXRO (Germany) supply rotary engines for karting and light sport uses.
• New rotary architectures: U.S.-based LiquidPiston develops a high-efficiency rotary (“X-Engine”) with different geometry from a classic Wankel, targeting generators, drones, and defense applications.
• Historical but influential two-wheelers: Suzuki (RE5), Norton (Commander, F1, Interpol), Hercules/DKW (W2000), and Van Veen (OCR 1000) proved the concept in motorcycles during the 1970s–1990s.

In short, the rotary never disappeared; it migrated to niches where compactness and low vibration outweigh drawbacks in fuel economy and emissions, and it continues to evolve in specialized markets.

Mazda’s current role and where you can buy one

As of 2025, Mazda is the only major automaker offering a rotary in a production vehicle: the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, sold primarily in Europe and Japan. The car uses an 830cc single-rotor engine purely as a generator for a 17.8 kWh battery, delivering everyday electric driving with petrol backup. Mazda restarted rotary engine production to support this program and has showcased future intentions with concepts such as the Iconic SP, which imagines a two-rotor generator paired with an electrified sports car platform. Mazda has also long explored alternative fuels for rotaries, including hydrogen-fueled RX-8 test fleets in the 2000s, and continues research into low-carbon combustion for range-extender roles.

Why most automakers stepped away

Automakers largely abandoned Wankel engines due to the combination of emissions compliance, real-world fuel consumption, and durability concerns related to sealing and oil control. Modern materials, precision machining, improved oil metering, and cleaner combustion strategies have mitigated some issues, making the rotary more viable as a steady-state generator in range-extender hybrids—where the engine can operate at optimal load and speed, simplifying emissions control.

What to watch next

Expect the rotary’s near-term future to center on range-extender hybrids, drones, compact generators, and potential low-volume enthusiast applications. Key signposts include Mazda’s decision on a production sports car leveraging a rotary generator, ongoing defense/UAS procurement of rotary powerplants, and progress by developers of next-generation rotary architectures aimed at higher efficiency and lower emissions.

Summary

Mazda is not the only company to use rotary engines—several automakers and motorcycle brands sold rotary-powered models in the past, and specialist firms build them today for drones and niche uses. However, Mazda is currently the only major carmaker selling a rotary-equipped production vehicle, employing the engine as a compact range extender in the MX-30 R-EV while continuing R&D that could shape the rotary’s future in electrified platforms.

Does only Mazda make rotary engines?

What’s more, NSU and Mazda are the only manufacturers ever to have mass-produced rotary engine vehicles, effectively meaning that Mazda is the only automotive manufacturer to have successfully commercialized the rotary engine.

Why did Mazda discontinue the rotary engine?

Mazda stopped producing mainstream rotary engines in 2012 primarily due to their poor fuel economy and high emissions, which could no longer meet tightening global regulations. While powerful for their size, the rotary’s design struggled with sealing issues, requiring oil injection into the combustion chamber (leading to consumption) and creating challenges for complete, efficient combustion. 
Here are the key reasons:

• Emissions: Rotary engines are inherently less efficient at completely burning fuel, leading to higher hydrocarbon emissions that make it difficult to comply with stricter environmental standards. 
• Fuel Economy: The same issues that contribute to emissions also lead to poor fuel efficiency, a major factor for consumers and regulators. 
• Oil Consumption: To lubricate the rotor seals and aid in sealing, oil is injected directly into the combustion chamber, a design feature that leads to significant oil consumption. 
• Sealing and Durability: Maintaining proper seals between the rotor and housing is challenging due to uneven heating and expansion. This leads to wear on the apex seals and can result in oil and gas leaks, affecting engine longevity. 
• Competition from Piston Engines: Piston engines became more efficient, powerful, and cost-effective to manufacture, making it harder for the niche rotary engine to compete. 

While the RX-8, the last production car to feature a rotary engine, was discontinued in 2012 due to these shortcomings, Mazda has continued to develop the rotary technology, potentially for use in hybrid vehicles as a range extender.

Do any cars still use rotary engines?

Yes, some cars still use rotary engines, though very few. Mazda is the main manufacturer, and they have recently reintroduced a rotary engine in the Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV as a range extender for its hybrid-electric system. While rotary engines were once abandoned by most manufacturers due to issues with emissions, fuel economy, and durability compared to piston engines, Mazda has found them a good fit for their hybrid applications, providing a compact and reliable power source.
 
The Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV 

• Function: The rotary engine in the MX-30 serves as a generator to recharge the battery and extend the vehicle’s driving range, rather than directly powering the wheels. 
• Benefits: Mazda considers a rotary unit to be well-suited for this role due to its compact size and ability to provide smooth, reliable performance. 
• Market: The Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV has been introduced in Japan and Europe. 

Why Most Car Manufacturers Don’t Use Rotary Engines

• Emissions and Fuel Economy: Rotary engines historically struggled to meet modern emissions standards and were less fuel-efficient than traditional piston engines. 
• Durability and Complexity: They can also be less durable and more expensive to manufacture than piston engines, making them less attractive to most automakers. 

The Future of Rotary Engines

• Hybrid Technology: Opens in new tabMazda’s strategy is to leverage the advantages of the rotary engine within a hybrid system, where it can operate at a more constant speed for greater efficiency. 
• Potential for Sports Cars: Opens in new tabWhile the current production rotary engine is for range extension, Mazda has also patented concepts for future rear-wheel-drive sports cars that use a rotary engine with hybrid technology. 

What was the last car with a rotary engine?

The Mazda MX-30 R-EV was the last production car with a rotary engine, with its production starting in June 2023 as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that used a rotary engine as a range extender to recharge the battery. Before the MX-30 R-EV, the Mazda RX-8 was the last sports car to be produced with a rotary engine, ending its production run in 2012.
 
The rotary engine’s timeline with Mazda

• 1961: Mazda entered a technical partnership with NSU and Wankel to develop the rotary engine. 
• 2012: Production of the Mazda RX-8, the last Mazda car to feature the rotary engine in a performance-focused role, ended due to increasing emissions standards. 
• 2023: Mazda reintroduced the rotary engine in the MX-30 R-EV, but this time as a power generator to extend the range of an electric vehicle. 

What does this mean for Mazda’s rotary engine history?

• While the RX-8 was the last “traditional” rotary car, the MX-30 R-EV shows that Mazda has not completely abandoned the technology. 
• The MX-30 R-EV is a significant development, allowing the company to keep the rotary engine alive and viable as a range extender. 
• There are also plans for future rotary-powered cars, though details remain limited.