Mazda's Electric Pivot: Betting Big on China with the EZ-60 SUV
By Team Dailyrevs May 6, 2025
Mazda is making an investment of $1.37 billion USD in a joint venture with Changan to produce 300,000 vehicles annually by 2027, 90% of which will be hybrid or electric.
The EZ-60 electric SUV that debuted at Auto Shanghai 2025 has a 295-mile range and fast charging, making it a serious contender in the EV market.
Mazda is leveraging Chinese manufacturing capability coupled with Japanese design ethos to make its EV thrust globally.
Mazda is pushing hard into electrification with its sights set on the world's largest EV market—China.
The automaker invested a record 10 billion yuan ($1.37 billion USD approx.) in a partnership with Changan Automobile. The two companies will make 300,000 cars a year by 2027, and 90 percent of them will be new energy vehicles (NEVs), i.e., electric and hybrid vehicles.
Welcome the Mazda EZ-60: New Addition to EV Fold
Premiering at Auto Shanghai 2025, Mazda's newest EZ-60 is Mazda's next-generation foray into electric driving. The all-new, jointly developed vehicle is built on the EPA1 platform and features:
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A 214 horsepower electric motor located rearward of the rear seat
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An 80kWh battery with approximately 295 miles of range
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Fast charging to 80% capacity in 35 minutes
The design of the EZ-60 is based on Mazda's Arata concept, focusing on aerodynamic efficiency and sharp lines. The SUV's interior includes a big dashboard display, voice control, and heads-up display that doubles as an entertainment screen when the car is parked.
Capturing China's Manufacturing Muscle
Mazda has chosen its Nanjing factory as the center of this growth. The factory integrates research, production, and export function, allowing Mazda to fully leverage China's robust EV supply chain. The setup is cost-saving and time-saves the development of new global models.
Competing in a Crowded Market
Entering a highly contested segment, the EZ-60 will battle it out with best-selling competitors like Tesla's Model Y and BYD's Sealion 7. Mazda will attempt to carve out its niche by merging Japanese design capabilities with Chinese cost-effective production. Two additional electric vehicles are also set to be launched by 2027 as well.
Safety and Global Reach
Mazda's safety-first policy is represented in its 6e model, which has undergone rigorous testing in extreme conditions and collision scenarios. The 6e is the first EV jointly developed to be certified safe by both Chinese and European regulators—a huge leap for the company's international drive.