Mazda's huge new model offensive

Mazda isn’t resting on its laurels.

The Japanese brand has just launched the Mazda 6e, its second-ever electric car in Australia. It spawned from Mazda’s partnership with Chinese automaker Changan and shares its underpinnings with the Deepal S07 that launched in Australia late last year. 

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We won’t have to wait long with the brand stating during a briefing at its research and development centre in Tokyo it will have its own electric car platform, which will bear fruit by 2028.

Test mules have now been spied undergoing evaluation overseas of a new electric SUV, which is believed to be the first model to be built on this new platform.

Mazda is using the next two years to transition to electrification with a focus on battery tech development and procurements before the first dedicated electric car rolls off the production line.

The company is developing a new way of producing cars that would allow one production line to make internal-combustion engined vehicles, hybrids and electric vehicles depending on demand.

This would help it adjust to lulls in EV demand without having to mothball production lines, which has impacted other major makers such as Ford and Volkswagen.

This doesn’t mean that Mazda is turning its back on Changan.

The 6e sedan is just the first of potentially four vehicles to spring forth from the partnership.

Next up is likely to be the EZ-60, which is an electric mid-size SUV based on the 6e. It is yet to be confirmed for Australia, but it would be a shock if it didn't come here as a follow-up act to the 6e considering the popularity of mid-size SUVs compared to sedans.

Mazda Australia boss Vinesh Bhindi said SUVs are where the buyers are but currently they only have the 6e available globally as the EZ-60 is China-only for now.

"Two things need to happen. One, Mazda Corporation needs to say, 'it's a global car', and that's fantastic. And then the second hurdle to jump over is right hand drive."

"Once those two things are ticked off then it is up to us to build a business case, and we're just waiting for those opportunities."

Mazda has also said it is now considering a third and fourth model from the Changan partnership.

There are several electric models available from Changan’s Deepal brand, including a compact electric SUV and a large electric SUV.

This could make a Mazda-ified version of the Deepal S05 and S09 a possibility ahead of the arrival of its own dedicated electric vehicle.

Mazda is also on the cusp of rolling out hybrid power to a range of its vehicles.

The brand’s in-house developed petrol-electric set-up will debut in the new CX-5 in 2027, which is more than a year after it goes on sale as a petrol-only proposition.

The company said the hybrid engine — dubbed Skyactiv-Z — will be the core power source for its line-up in the electrification era over the next decade.

Mazda hasn’t committed to what models will use the hybrid, but said it could be introduced to any model and it could become mainstream.

That means we could see a next-generation CX-30 or Mazda3 hybrid in the coming years, as Mazda’s Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Guyton said the next-generation small cars were the next priority after the brand finishes its hybrid development.