Why Mazda waited so long, but is now working on a new EV 8

CEO Masahiro Moro explains the reasoning behind Mazda’s tactics in a conversation with Automotive News. According to the CEO, the brand has deliberately positioned itself not as a market leader, but as a follower. The director – who took over at Mazda earlier this year – has a good reason for this: “For us, the demand for electric models is very uncertain. At the moment, customers are still looking for alternatives that are not electric cars.”

The new EV 8 from Mazda

Right now, the Mazda MX-30 is the only electric car in the Japanese model lineup, but that’s about to change. According to Mazda, between 25 and 40 percent of global sales should be electric by 2030. To achieve this, the brand wants to come up with 8 new EVs between now and then.

The new electric vehicles will be delivered in phases. The first models will be launched in Japan between 2025 and 2027. The brand then wants to expand to North America in 2028. Two years later, all 8 new EVs should be available worldwide.

A new platform

Mazda has launched a department to develop these new vehicles based on the new EV platform. That is expected to debut between 2025 and 2027. Mazda also wants to collaborate with Toyota on software and battery packs. No less than 90 percent of the software is based on Toyota software, including hardware and operating systems.

According to Moro, Mazda needs a partnership with Toyota: “It is better because the software will be the basis of many products in the future. Mazda cannot do it alone as an individual company.

Also an electric Mazda MX-5?

We welcome the development of new electric models from Mazda. The Mazda MX-30 is a great car to drive, but it disappoints with its range. Perhaps a partnership with Toyota could further support Mazda’s EV technology. We sincerely hope that one of the 8 new electric cars is the new Mazda MX-5, as a good roadster will be a good addition to a road scene full of large SUVs. Fingers crossed.