Mazda has given us a glimpse at what it's planning for the future. Unsurprisingly, that future can be summed up as 'more electric cars', but the Japanese carmaker has also shown a cool-looking Vision Study Model concept car, which may hint at a future electric MX-5.
Outlandish features
You can edit out some of the Concept's more outlandish features - the Lamborghini-style doors, for example - but even though it's a coupe, not a convertible, Mazda did show it off alongside previous MX-5 models, and the company has previously said that it's working on an electric sports car. No more details were, sadly, forthcoming for the moment.
More PHEVs and range extenders
There were, however, details offered on Mazda's $10 billion plans for 2030 and beyond. The company says that it has a "three-phase plan towards 2030." Mazda says it will ramp up the electrification of its line up in the first phase, which we're already in. This doesn't mean going all-electric for all models. It means the rollout of more PHEV cars, such as the new CX-60 and range-extender EVs, such as the upcoming MX-30 R-EV, which will see the return of a rotary engine to the Mazda lineup, as a generator to give the small-battery crossover a longer touring range. Mazda's plan seems to be working, at least initially. The carmaker says that it already has 20,000 orders for the big CX-60. It's part of a general Mazda philosophy that no one solution fits all needs, so the company intends to offer a broad portfolio of engines, EVs, and PHEVs.
Full EV line up
Next up, between 2025 and 2027, will be the 'transition to electrification.' This is all a bit vague, but Mazda says it will "build the necessary parts to transition towards the electrification of our range. This will include both the refinement and use of Mazda's multiple electrification and manufacturing technologies as well as the global launch of new battery electric vehicles."
Beyond 2027 and into 2030, the EV lineup will expand rapidly, and Mazda says that it has signed multiple agreements with partners to develop the batteries and electric motors it will need by then. It's also ramping up safety improvements and has made a Volvo-like promise that aims for: "Zero fatal accidents caused by any new Mazda by 2040."