Laser Ford

Relationship to Mazda 323

The Ford Laser was a restyled version of the Familia/323 models produced by Mazda in Japan from 1980 onwards. (Ford had acquired a 25% stake in Mazda in 1979.)

In Australia and New Zealand where Ford was seen as a 'local' brand, the Laser outsold its Mazda twin, but in neighbouring Asian countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, as well as Japan itself, the reverse was the case. However, pooling resources with Mazda allowed Ford to maintain a foothold in the region. This was also the case in South America, Africa, and the Caribbean, where the Laser was also sold, in many cases being locally assembled.

KA 1981-1983, KB 1983-1985

Engine specifications:

* Mazda E1, 41 kW 1.1L Carb 8V SOHC (‘L’ and ‘GL’ New Zealand models)
* Mazda E3, 49 kW 1.3L Carb 8V SOHC (‘L’ and ‘GL’ models)
* Mazda E5, 54 kW 1.5L Carb 8V SOHC (‘L’, ‘GL’ and ‘GHIA’ models)
* Mazda E5, 59 kW 1.5L Twin Carb 8V SOHC (‘Sports’ models)
* Mazda E5T, 78 kW 1.5L Carb 8V SOHC Turbo (limited edition‘Turbo’ models)
* Mazda E5T, 85 kW 1.5L EFI 8V SOHC Turbo (‘Turbo’ Japan models)