No other Mazda model has reached the milestone as quickly. The Mazda3 is one of the core models in the Mazda line-up, having been sold in more than 120 countries and regions, and accounting for approximately 30% of the company's annual sales volume.

Mazda produces the Mazda3 in its Hofu Plant (Japan), the Changan Mazda Automobile plant (China), Auto Alliance (Thailand), and Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation (Mexico), where production started in January 2014.

The model was fully redesigned for the third time in 2013, becoming the third in Mazda’s new generation of products adopting both SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and the KODO-Soul of Motion design theme. Sales commenced in North America in autumn of the same year, followed by Europe, Japan, Australia and others. A hybrid version has been added to the model line-up in Japan.