Japanese misses out on electric trend: Chinese brand Changan provides tutoring

Mazda is lagging behind the electric trend. This is set to change with the help of the Chinese brand Changan. Together, the companies are planning a billion-dollar investment in electric vehicles and intelligent technologies. They also have their sights set on the European market.

Japanese car manufacturers like Mazda have historically stood for quality, reliability and technological innovation. But in the ever-increasing competition on the electrical market, they seem to be missing the boat.

But as the technology news platform TechNod reports, Mazda now wants to turn things around and is relying on the expertise of a Chinese partner. With Changan Automobile, Mazda is planning a billion-dollar investment in electric vehicles and intelligent technologies – an alliance that not only has its sights on the Chinese market, but also aims to conquer the European market.

Mazda is investing billions in electric vehicles in China

Now the two companies are investing ten billion RMB (approx 1.3 billion euros) in the development of electric vehicles in China. By 2027, the Changan-Mazda joint venture is expected to take a leading position in the electric vehicle market. Mazda plans to bring a new electric vehicle onto the market every year from 2024 to 2027. The goal is to sell 300,000 vehicles by 2027, 90 percent of which will be fully electric or plug-in hybrid models.

Mazda’s first electric car, the Mazda EZ-6, is already available for pre-order in China. Advance sales for the sleek sedan, which is offered in seven variants: three fully electric and four hybrid versions, have been running since September 28th. Prices start at 20,800 euros (160,000 RMB) and go up to 26,000 euros (200,000 RMB).

Compared to similar electric cars from China, such as the BYD Seal, which costs at least 45,000 euros in Europe, the Mazda EZ-6 a real bargain. The reason for this is the tough competition on the Chinese market, where numerous manufacturers are vying for buyers’ favor, the significantly lower production costs and the VAT waiver on electric vehicles. The official launch of the Mazda EZ-6 is scheduled for October 26, 2024 and the first deliveries are planned within nine to eleven weeks of receipt of the order.

Changan brings premium electric brand Deepal to Europe

But Mazda is not the only player entering the Chinese and European electric car markets. Changan, one of the largest Chinese car manufacturers, is also bringing high-profile vehicles to Europe with its premium electric brand Deepal. Changan announced its intention to bring the brand to Europe in November 2023 and has since founded subsidiaries in Germany and the Netherlands.

The Deepal S07, a fully electric mid-size SUV, will be available in Germany, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands in the fourth quarter of 2024. Other countries will follow in 2025, including Switzerland, Sweden and Finland. By 2028, Changan will be present in all major European markets.

Deepal S07: The new fully electric SUV from Changan

The Deepal S07 is a serious competitor to established brands such as Tesla, VW and Stellantis. With a length of 4.75 meters, it is about the same size as a Tesla Model Y and offers plenty of space: two trunks, a smaller one with 125 liters and a larger one with up to 1,510 liters, are available to customers. There are two variants of the vehicle in China.

The Deepal S07 520 version offers a range of up to 520 kilometers and is powered by a 258 hp motor with a 69 kilowatt-hour battery. The second version, the Deepal S07 628, achieves a range of up to 628 kilometers thanks to an 80 kilowatt-hour battery, but has a slightly lower engine power of 217 hp. A variant with a range extender is also available.