THE one-millionth Mazda MX-5, a commemorative model produced to mark the milestone for the world's best-selling roadster, has returned home after a year-long tour that saw the model exhibited at events around the globe.

Mazda organized the special MX-5 tour to celebrate the achievement of one million units and to say thank you to the thousands of fans who have supported the model over the years.

Over the course of the tour the car was exhibited at 35 events in Japan, the UK, Spain, Germany, Belgium, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and more than 10,000 MX-5 enthusiasts and owners signed their name on the bodywork.

The unique MX-5 made its UK appearance at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed where it appeared alongside the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF as the latest version of Mazda's iconic sports car made its UK debut.

Masashi Nakayama, programme manager and chief designer of the fourth-generation MX-5, said: "Seeing so many signatures from all over the world really brought home the fact that people from different countries, cultures and generations have supported the MX-5 for more than a quarter of a century."

"We are forever grateful to these fans, and we will continue working to elevate this car, a symbol of Mazda's dedication to driving pleasure, to the realm of high culture as we set our sights on the next milestone - tw0 million units."

The one-millionth MX-5 will take part in a special parade in its home city of Hiroshima in Japan on May 3 and from May 8 to 12 it will be on display in the lobby of the Mazda headquarters in the city.