Mazda Motor Corporation has announced plans to expand its SUV lineup starting from 2022. The new models will include the Mazda CX-50 to be produced in its new U.S. plant, as well as models in its Large Product group, including the Mazda CX-60, Mazda CX-70, Mazda CX-80 and Mazda CX-90, all of which are slated for introduction over the next two years between 2022 and 2023.
The Japanese auto maker is aiming to take full advantage of the increasing demands for SUV’s globally, to get production up the company will be making full use of its development and production technological assets, such as Skyactiv technology, bundled planning and flexible production, which have been accumulated over time based on its Building Block strategy, with the new addition Mazda is able to expand our SUV lineup efficiently and with low investment.
As for the models, the Mazda CX-50 is a crossover SUV that will be added as a new core model to the lineup and be introduced in the US market first, where a strong SUV presence as well as off-road performance are in high demand. This model belongs to the Small Product group just like the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30. The production of the CX-50 will begin in January 2022 at the new Mazda-Toyota joint venture factory, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing.
Markets with narrower roads and smaller parking lots such as Europe and Japan, will welcome the introduction of the two-row seat CX-60 and the three-row seat CX-80. Meanwhile, the CX-70 and CX-90 will hit the road in North America and other markets where larger models with a big presence are preferred. Both models feature the wide body type, with the CX-70 having two rows of seats and the CX-90 having three. These models will expand its mid-size crossover SUV lineup.
The Large Product group models will offer a variety of choices of electrified powertrains to respond to each country’s electrification roadmap. The European market, where electrification is already in-full-swing, will primarily see the introduction of plug-in hybrid models with straight-four gasoline engines combined with a motor drive. The straight-six new generation Skyactiv-X gasoline engine and Skyactiv-D diesel engine will also be introduced in combination with a 48V mild hybrid system. The aim being to achieve both high output and high environmental performance.
In North America where high-power performance is valued, the group will introduce both turbo-charged straight-six gasoline engine models and plug-in hybrid models to meet customer requirements and respond to environmental regulations. Due to the enduring popularity of diesel engines in Japan, a straight-six Skyactiv-D diesel model with a 48V mild hybrid system and plug-in hybrid models will be introduced to the Japanese lineup.
In addition, Mazda will introduce a product line that uses an EV-dedicated platform from around 2025. Through the introduction of these models, Mazda plans to complete the electrification of all the models it produces by 2030. For Malaysia markets, the models are distributed by Bermaz Motor, however no date has been advised for the launches here.
