Mazda's engine strategy for the coming years

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Mazda has been taking an unconventional approach to drive systems for many years. This is quite interesting from a technical point of view from time to time, although it is not always clear what advantage this has for customers. With a three-part strategy that has now been presented, the brand wants to position itself broadly for the coming years. This includes battery-electric drives and a new combustion engine.

Three new electric cars

A new platform developed by Mazda is intended to be very flexible and allow different drive configurations. The battery cells are supplied by Panasonic. The first electric car based on this platform is due to be launched in 2027. By then, the brand wants to have another vehicle with a battery-electric drive on sale. This is likely to be an e-SUV. With these three models, Mazda says it wants to ensure that it "remains at the forefront of EV innovation". The aim is to maximize know-how and reduce costs at the same time with strong partners, according to the presentation. This is likely to refer primarily to a cooperation with Toyota.

To put it diplomatically, electric cars from Mazda have not been a great success to date. Whether this will change fundamentally with the Mazda 6e is at least doubtful. The saloon can be ordered from April, with a starting price of 44,900  euros. It will be delivered from summer 2025. There have been some minor changes to the technical data since the first presentation. An updated data sheet can be found on page 2.

New combustion engine from 2027

At the same time, Mazda is working on the development of a petrol engine with a displacement of 2.5  liters and four cylinders. Skyactiv-Z is to be a further development of the innovative SPCCI combustion process with compression ignition introduced in 2019 with the Skyactiv-X. Mazda promises brisk driving performance, high efficiency and compliance with the Euro 7 emissions standard, without which no new car could be registered in the EU at this time anyway. Development progress should also benefit the in-line six-cylinder engine. Even the Wankel engine should benefit. In combination with a hybrid drive, Skyactiv-Z will be launched for the first time in the next CX-5, which is scheduled for 2027.

Flexible production

Mazda wants to increase margins in the coming years with flexible production. Combustion engines and electric cars are to roll off the production line on one production line. The initial capital investment is to be reduced by 85 percent and the preparation time by 80 percent compared to the construction of new production facilities. Mazda's aim is to be able to react flexibly to fluctuations in demand and improve plant utilization. The brand also wants to make structural changes to the supply chain. Components should be built close to Mazda's plants.

The current situation of Mazda in Germany

Mazda sold around 45,000 cars in Germany last year. The bestseller with 10,819 first registrations was the CX-5 (test), closely followed by the CX-30 (9219 first registrations) and the small car 2 (8598). Electric cars are only available again with the 6e, after the MX-30 with electric drive was withdrawn from the market. Overall, Mazda's German sales figures are well behind Toyota, but still ahead of competitors such as Nissan, Tesla and Honda. However, Mazda's bestseller is getting on in years despite constant model updates – must hold out until 2027.