The company that famously declared it would be the last automaker in the world to field an EV-only fleet has just commissioned a lithium-ion 10GWh battery plant in Japan.
Mazda Motor Corporation announced the structure of a new module plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, to manufacture battery modules from cylindrical lithium-ion cells sourced from Panasonic.
While major brands are embarking on an electric future, Mazda has yet to build its first electric vehicle on a committed EV platform.
This milestone is expected to be reached in 2027, with the launch of a five-seat crossover electric vehicle on a committed EV platform developed through Mazda.
In accordance with the company’s control policy for 2030, the electric vehicle and its derivatives will be placed under the auspices of a logo determined to continue offering combustion cars in the near future, and which has not only introduced a new gasoline engine last year, but also restarted its progression of rotary engines.
Mazda’s CEO, Masahiro Moro, has repeatedly damped down EV evangelists, suggesting Mazda would be the last car company to use an internal-combustion engine.
“The trend towards vehicle electrification is unlikely to slow down, but is the solution replacing all the world’s cars with electric cars?Moro asked in an internal Mazda blog.
“It is mandatory to offer multiple solutions, from empty diesel engines to hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, capable of adapting to these varied conditions while preserving customers’ freedom of choice. »
Mazda’s agreement with Panasonic dates back to 2023, when the two Japanese signed an agreement to purchase cylindrical lithium-ion cells.
Whatever the first version of Mazda’s new EV family turns out to be, expect better luck than with the MX-30, a combustion vehicle with suicide doors and very limited EV range.
It sold only 324 MX-30s in the US in 2022 and was retired in North America in 2023.
One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.
Our network aims to connect others through open and thoughtful conversations. We need our readers to share their perspectives and exchange ideas and facts in one space.
In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site’s Terms of Service. We’ve summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.
Your message will be rejected if we realize that it seems to contain:
User accounts will be locked if we become aware that users are engaging in:
So, how can you be a user?
Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site’s Terms of Service.