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On April 16, Mazda China announced for the first time the transformation strategy and target vision of the electric era, as well as the establishment of a brand-new cooperation model with Chang 'an Automobile.

According to the plan, Mazda's transformation strategy in the electric era is divided into three steps: from 2022 to 2024, it will strengthen the development for the electric era; from 2025 to 2027, it will strengthen the development of battery technology and take the lead in launching pure electric vehicles into the Chinese market; from 2028 to 2030, it will formally introduce pure electric vehicles and transition to the electric era.

At the same time, Mazda will also change the R & D model of its products in China. In the past, Changan Mazda's products were developed by Mazda and imported into the joint venture company for production and sales, while the two new energy models to be launched were jointly developed by Mazda and Changan Automobile, and Changan Mazda was responsible for development and production. It is understood that Chang 'an Mazda plans to launch two new energy models developed and produced in China by the end of 2024 and 2025, which will provide pure electric and plug-in hybrid power.

Mazda China Chairman Nakajima Toru said that the two parent companies have invested resources in Chang 'an Mazda, Mazda headquarters has sent core engineers and designers and other development team members to Chang' an Mazda, Mazda China's R & D center will also participate in it, Chang 'an Automobile also sent electric, intelligent technology field development team to Chang' an Mazda.

From the above-mentioned release in China planning, Mazda quite a kind of death and then born meaning. Mazda's current situation in China really needs such courage to turn around. As one of the Japanese automakers, Toyota, Honda and Nissan are getting harder and harder to live in China, while Mazda, which is positioned more niche, is even harder. In September 2021, Mazda North and South merged, and the sales channels of the two companies were also integrated. Since then, Mazda's joint venture in China has only Changan Mazda left. However, resource integration did not bring positive effects to Mazda's development.

In 2022, Chang 'an Mazda sold only 108,100 vehicles, down 41.2% year-on-year, the fifth year-on-year decline for Mazda in the Chinese market. In the first quarter of 2023, Chang 'an Mazda sold only 13,900 vehicles, down 66.11% year-on-year. If nothing else, 2023 will be another difficult year.

Mazda lost the Chinese market, in addition to fierce competition, and its own strategic layout in China has an important relationship. According to the official website, Chang 'an Mazda is currently selling a total of seven models, but in fact most of the 4S shop exhibition halls are only Onksela, Atz, CX-30, CX-4, CX-5 five exhibition cars. It is understood that Chang 'an Mazda last launched a new car in May 2020, positioning small SUV Chang' an CX-30 officially listed, guidance price range of 1299 - 171,900 yuan. In September 2021, Chang 'an Mazda launched CX-30 EV based on CX-30. After comprehensive subsidy, the price range was 159,800 - 201,800 yuan. However, due to the oil-to-electric model, the sales volume of new cars continued to be depressed after being launched, and its contribution to the brand could be ignored basically.

In fact, Mazda is not the only one, Toyota, Honda and Nissan are also the same at present. The sales volume of these brands in the Chinese market basically comes from fuel vehicles, and in the process of promoting electrification, the development of these brands is not smooth, which is also the problem Mazda needs to face in the future.

At tomorrow's 2023 Shanghai International Auto Show, Changan Mazda CX-50 will officially open for pre-sale and is expected to be named "Xingye". In terms of power, the CX-50 provides 2.0L and 2.5L power options in the early stage, and is equipped with 6AT gearbox in transmission. Hybrid models will be launched in the future. In order to ensure the rear space, CX-50 adopts non-independent rear suspension, but at the same time also uses butterfly bionic third generation coil spring, not simply to save costs, it seems Mazda in order to cater to the preferences of domestic consumers is also fighting. In addition to the CX-50, Chang 'an Mazda will debut the CX-90, Mazda's largest SUV in size and expected to be made in China this year.

According to the Japanese automaker's latest plan, it plans to invest $10.6 billion to electrify cars and consider investing in battery production, which is expected to reach 25% to 40% of global sales by 2030. But in terms of time, Mazda's all-electric model won't be available until 2025 - 2027.

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