- Mazda has reportedly delayed the launch of its first dedicated electric car once again.
- This model, which is based on a custom platform, is scheduled to be launched for the first time next year.
- Japanese media reported that Mazda would instead focus on hybrid cars as a way to overcome market uncertainty.
Mazda’s electric vehicle portfolio has never been anything to write home about, and that’s not about to change anytime soon. after MX-30 is slow selling, Mazda It has delved into the development of an all-new electric vehicle based on a dedicated electric platform It was supposed to go into production next year.
But this plan was cancelled. The upcoming electric vehicle, which is expected to be a mid-size crossover, has now been delayed by at least two years, and is scheduled to begin production in 2029 at the earliest, according to Japanese newspapers. Nikki and Nikan Jidoshaquoted from Car News.
Mazda hasn’t given up on electric cars entirely, but it did leverage its ties with China’s Changan to develop the CX-6e pictured above, which is not sold in the United States.
Photo by: Mazda
Blame it on tariffs, changing emissions regulations and the elimination of the $7,500 federal tax credit, which has taken a toll on the big players in the industry, not to mention a small, independent company like Mazda.
In a statement sent to Car NewsA Mazda spokesman said that the company is still evaluating the timetable for launching the electric car. “Our company did not release this information,” the spokesperson said. “We continue to advance the technology development of our battery electric vehicles based on our multi-solution strategy and will determine the timing of our rollout while carefully evaluating regulatory trends in each country and changes in customer needs.”
Mazda’s Hovo assembly plant in western Japan is said to be responsible for producing the new electric vehicle, but import tariffs implemented last year have made the business proposition more difficult to digest.
However, the Japanese automaker has not completely given up on electric cars. It recently unveiled two completely new models, namely 6h thatn and Crossover CX-6eWhich is manufactured in cooperation with the Chinese company Changan and is sold in Europe, Australia and other parts of the world. However, because they are made in China, they would be subject to a 100% import tariff in the US, making them unsaleable here.
Mazda’s move mirrors moves by other players in the industry, including big names like… Ford, GM and excellent. Ford recently It has discontinued production of the F-150 Lightningwhich has been America’s best-selling electric truck for most of its history. Meanwhile, Stellantis has pulled the plug on the all-electric Ram 1500 Even before a single unit comes off the assembly line, and GM has canceled the BrightDrop electric truck.
However, electricity is still here to stay, with multiple affordable options in the pipeline. Ford’s $30,000 midsize pickup is scheduled to debut next year, while the new Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf are already heading to dealerships across the country.
