Mazda’s Aussie EV attack! 6e sedan under study for Australia; Sexy EZ-60 SUV waiting on right-hand drive approval

May 26, 2025May 26, 2025 Bruce Newton 4985 Views 0 Comments 6e, Cx-6e, EZ-60, mazda

Mazda Australia has revealed it is officially studying the stylish electric 6e sedan for Australian sale. It also intends to investigate the business case for the attention-grabbing Mazda EZ-60 large electric SUV launched at the Shanghai auto show last month if right-hand drive production is confirmed.

And given Australian new vehicle buyers’ preference for SUVs – electric or otherwise – Mazda Australia is clearly hoping that RHD EZ-60 decision is made in thje positive!

“At the moment the car is only available the China market but we are excited with the design and technology direction Mazda’s taking,” said Mazda Australia product and business strategy chief Daniel Wakelam.

“It’s a great looking vehicle so photos don’t probably do it justice.

“It would probably sit in the large SUV segment if we were to bring it to Australia.”

Both the 6e – known as EZ-6 in China – and EZ-60 are a result of Mazda’s joint venture with Chinese auto giant Changan.

They are both based on Changan’s EPA1 platform, which is also shared with the Deepal S07 already sold in Australia.

That surely means there is every chance the EZ-60 will be built in right-hand drive also. Some reports have stated it will be known as CX-6e in export markets.

Both Mazda EVs come with the choice of 68.8kWh LFP and 80kWh NMC battery packs powering a 190kW/380Nm e-motor driving the rear wheels.

There are also PHEV powertrains for both models, but right now Mazda Australia says its focus is on the EVs.

“Ideally we’d love to have both,” said Wakelam. “The SUV especially looks fantastic.

“They both look fantastic. I’ve seen them both in the flesh. They’re both great looking cars.”

The EZ-6/6e is slightly bigger than the recently deceased Mazda6 passenger car it would effectively replace in Australia, measuring up 50mm longer, 50mm wider and about 20mm taller.

No public timeline has been placed on reaching a verdict on the study, but it’s feasible to think it could be in Australia within months rather than years.

Intriguingly, this is the same car that only late last year Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi dismissed interest in for Australia.

But January’s announcement it would be sold in Europe including right-hand drive UK, has changed his outlook.

“The business case [for 6e] is not the strongest given sedans/hatch variants are not big sellers in Australia,” Bhindi admitted. “There is demand but they are not big sellers, SUVs are.

“But we will do our work on a business case and if it stacks up and it is accepted by Mazda Corporation that they will consider regardless of the volume that we put forward, then we can go on to the next phase.”

Reasonable sales for the Tesal Model 3 and BYD Seal EV sedans have encouraged Mazda Australia to study the 6e.

It also has a policy of pursuing every model it can for Australia to give its customers the widest choices.

The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) also requires the introduction of EVs by manufacturers if they wish to avoid increasingly draconian fines on CO2-emitting vehicles. At the moment Mazda sells no EVs in Australia.

“I think if the government is really determined to really reduce our carbon footprint from Australia I can only expect they will go stronger and harder toward factory electric powered cars,” said Bhindi.

“There are some early adopters – around six or seven per cent of the consumers – also saying that’s a technology they would like to embrace.