Mazda plans to launch its first electric vehicle (EV) on a dedicated platform in 2027 to catch up with rivals in the switch to zero emission vehicles.
CEO Masahiro Moro said the company needed to speed up electrification and catch up with global rivals. He added the automaker planned to “ramp up” production of EV models from 2028 onwards. China, the world’s largest market, would be a key target to achieve these growth aims.
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Moro, promoted to CEO last month from senior managing executive officer, also said the company would accelerate development of EV electric control equipment in collaboration alliance partner Toyota.
Japanese automakers have been seen as lagging in the worldwide change to zero emission vehicles, having invested heavily in the last 20 years in hybrid vehicle technology and production capacity.
Mazda started selling EVs in 2021, a battery version of the MX-30 crossover which was originally launched as a hybrid. So far it has not developed a dedicated EV.
The automaker recently began building its petrol CX-50 SUV in Alabama and said it planned to add a hybrid version soon.
