A Mazda filing with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) led to speculation the automaker was considering making an electric sedan for Europe.

The application for the trademark and logo ‘6e’ is currently under review.

Mazda's application said the name refers to “automobiles and their parts; electric cars and their parts”.

The Mazda 6 (nee 626) model line, a long running D segment mid size saloon/sedan and estate car/wagon, was axed in the US (where it was built for some years) in 2021 and, last year, in the UK due to declining sales after a 20 year run spanning several generations.

Hofu plant production in and for Japan ends next April.

Currently Mazda offers only one fully electric vehicle, the MX-30, sold in both BEV and range extender form, but has said previously it intends to make seven or eight EVs to sell worldwide by 2030.

The automaker also offers European CX-60 SUV buyers plug in hybrid versions.