Mazda gears up for an electrified future

Mazda Motor Corporation today unveiled its strategy heading toward its electrified future.

President and CEO, Masahiro Moro, and members of his leadership team, announced three measures to address the electrification era.

Firstly, Mazda will improve its competitiveness by optimising investments in batteries and suchlike. It is making a 1.5 trillion-yen investment through collaboration and partnerships. In doing so, it will improve expertise and reduce costs in areas such as electronic architecture, hybrid systems, and battery and thermal management. It has partnered with Changan Automobile, and has technology partners in Toyota, Denso and BluE Nexus.

Secondly, Mazda will continue to provide customers with ‘the right powertrain sources’. This, it says, ensures great driving experiences for years ahead. Mazda will offer the most suitable powertrain options by market.

Thirdly, Mazda will evolve its model-based development to improve flexibility, efficiency, and speed across the entire supply chain. By combining internal combustion engines and electrification technologies, Mazda aims to achieve significant operational efficiencies by 2030. 

President Moro said: “As the automotive industry is going through a once-in-a-century seismic shift, Mazda keeps on evolving by updating our “joy of driving” for the next generation of vehicles. All of us at Mazda are committed to striking the right balance of efficient business management and development of sustainable technology to deliver unique value regardless of business scale.”

Three pieces of technology will help to deliver these outcomes.

The new SKYACTIV-Z engine will form the core of Mazda’s line-up in the electrification era. It will meet Euro 7 emissions standards and provide engaging driving performance. Combined with Mazda’s in-house hybrid system, it will debut in the next-generation Mazda CX-5, out by 2027. SKYACTIV-Z will also reduce the number of engine units and control software required.

Mazda’s in-house platform for battery EVs will be highly flexible, allowing for use of various battery types and vehicle models. 

See more on Mazda 6e here.

The company’s own battery EV, the 6e saloon, is set for release in 2027. Mazda and Panasonic Energy Corporation will collaborate and it will sell globally. 

Following the Mazda 6e, a new SUV EV model based on the Arata concept will launch by 2027.

Mazda’s existing production line will also be used for battery EVs, reducing initial capital investment and preparation time markedly compared with new plant construction. The introduction of Automatic Guided Vehicles will improve flexibility in response to changes in vehicle type and production volume.

These innovations ensure Mazda’s continued commitment to providing customers with great-to-drive cars in the future.