Mazda said today it is ramping up its electrification efforts with a highly flexible in-house battery EV platform set to debut in 2027.
The first model, produced in Japan using Panasonic Energy Corporation battery cells, will lead Mazda’s next phase of electric vehicle (EV) expansion. Following the Mazda6e, a new SUV EV is also in the pipeline as part of the company’s roadmap towards 2030.
To support this transition, Mazda is refining its production technology, leveraging its existing mixed-flow manufacturing system to cut capital investment by 85% and reduce preparation time by 80%.
The company will also introduce Factory OTA (Over-the-Air) technology and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to enhance flexibility in production and supply chain efficiency.
Mazda’s broader strategy rests on three pillars:
– Lean Asset Strategy: Optimising investments and cutting projected spending from 2 trillion yen to 1.5 trillion yen through collaborations with partners like Toyota, Denso, and Changan Automobile.
– Multi-Solution Strategy: Offering a mix of internal combustion engines, hybrids, and EVs to meet diverse customer and market needs.
– Monozukuri Innovation 2.0: Expanding model-based development to improve efficiency, speed, and flexibility in integrating combustion and electrified technologies.
Mazda also revealed its next-generation SKYACTIV-Z engine, designed for small vehicles, which will comply with Euro 7 emissions standards while enhancing performance and fuel efficiency. It will debut in the 2027 Mazda CX-5, featuring an in-house hybrid system.
In related developments, Mazda is sticking to its 1.5 trillion yen (RM45 billion) investment plan through 2030, despite rising costs driven by inflation.
Without efficiency measures, the company estimates its investment needs could have climbed by a third to 2 trillion yen compared to its original forecast in November 2022.
To control expenses, Mazda will modify existing production lines to accommodate EV manufacturing, avoiding the high costs of building dedicated EV plants.
This move is expected to significantly cut capital spending and streamline production lead times.
CEO Masahiro Moro said strategic partnerships — including with Toyota, which holds a 5.1% stake in Mazda — will be key to staying competitive in the evolving automotive landscape.
