Cheap Mazdas to be axed

The writing has been on the wall for years now, but Mazda will cease production of two of its entry-level models as it gears up to launch an all-new replacement, according to reports.

As reported by Japanese publication Creative311, Japanese production of the Mazda CX-3 will cease in March 2026 and Japanese production of the Mazda 2 will cease soon after in June 2026.

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"This information has not been announced by our company," said a Mazda Corporation spokesperson.

"In Japan, production of Mazda 2 (Hofu Plant) and CX-3 (AAT) is continuing, and we will announce future product plans at an appropriate time.

"In addition, production of the Mazda 2 and CX-3 will also continue at the Mexico plant.

"Going forward, Mazda will continue to optimise its product lineup and production locations based on market demand and regulatory requirements in each global market."

All Australian-specification versions of the third-generation Mazda 2, which launched in 2014, have been produced in Thailand.

Also, while production of the related CX-3 in Australian-specification started in Japan in 2015, it switched to Thai-sourcing in 2022.

The Mazda 2 and CX-3 are now the Japanese carmaker’s oldest models still on sale locally and are both now over a decade old.

Mazda has continually given the two entry-level cars updates and facelifts over the years. The latest in 2025 included more sophisticated autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard.

At last year’s Japan Mobility Show Mazda gave us a first glimpse at what could be a replacement for the Mazda 2 and/or CX-3.

The Mazda Vision X-Compact concept is a tiny 3.8-metre long crossover hatchback-looking vehicle with visual language hinting at its potential electrification.

Creative311 reports Mazda will make a production version of this concept and it’ll be made in Thailand. This new entry-level model will also replace both the Mazda 2 and CX-3.

Previous reports have floated the name CX-20, though it’s unclear whether Mazda actually intends to use this name on its potential, new small car.

In February 2025, Mazda Thailand announced it will be the centre of the development and production of new compact electric SUVs for both domestic and export markets, though it didn’t indicate a timeframe of when this will commence. It’s also unclear whether this is the aforementioned Mazda 2 and CX-3 successor.

Mazda Chief Financial Officer Jeff Guyton told CarsGuide last year its new-generation small cars were the priority after the brand finishes its hybrid development. The Japanese carmaker’s in-house hybrid powertrain will debut in the new CX-5 in 2027.

This likely points to this new entry-level Mazda launching in 2028 at the earliest.

“It comes (down) to being a modestly sized company. Our return on sales (of small cars) isn’t good enough from a business standpoint,” said Guyton in October 2025.

“Our highest priority has been our large platform products, and finally getting those right, and using those to make some money.

“Next priority is the CX-5, which will come to your market soon, and soon-ish thereafter is the hybrid version of that car with Mazda’s own hybrid.

“Soon after that, the next priority is smaller architecture cars.”