Mazda weighs third and fourth Changan-developed electric models as 6e and CX-6e arrive in Australia

Further Chinese-built EVs under discussion

Mazda is considering additional Chinese-built battery-electric models for Australia beyond the 6e sedan and CX-6e crossover that are launching now, with Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi confirming to GoAuto that the brand has started talking with Changan Automotive about further opportunities under what he called a 20-year partnership in Nanjing. Asked directly whether Mazda Australia will rely more heavily on Changan for its BEV products while its in-house electric development program continues, Bhindi answered, "Absolutely". ¹³

The report, published on 29 September 2026 by GoAuto's Tom Baker, describes Mazda headquarters working with Changan on third and fourth models to complement the 6e and CX-6e, with any expansion of the Chinese-made range widely expected in 2027 or 2028. However, no specific bodies, names or premiere dates for the additional models have been announced. Russian-language outlet Tarantas News similarly reports that Mazda plans to take its joint Changan EV count to four after the 6e and CX-6e, while noting that only the plan itself is confirmed, not the form of the next two cars. ¹³⁵

Motor1's account of the same comments, carried by ua.news, says the discussions extend beyond the current electric liftback and crossover, and states that Mazda's corporate plan already provides for two additional models based on the Changan joint venture in the 2028-2030 window. That timing is slightly more conservative than GoAuto's 2027-2028 expectation; both outlets agree no launches are yet confirmed. ⁴⁶¹

Fuel price shock reshapes Mazda's EV planning

Bhindi told GoAuto that a fuel supply crisis, persisting since the Strait of Hormuz crisis began in February, had triggered significantly stronger demand for battery-electric vehicles and required Mazda Australia to recalibrate its planning. "Consumers have started to accept EV as a viable option in their lifestyle," he said, while adding that it was unfortunate the shift probably took fuel supply and price increases to prompt. He also noted that the tax advantages of the Fringe Benefits Tax waiver for novated leasing customers had become clearer to more people. ¹³

GoAuto reports that battery-electric vehicles accounted for 24.9 per cent of Australian new vehicle registrations in August 2026, and that September has seen petrol and diesel prices rise sharply due to renewed conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, damaging oil refinement and transport infrastructure. Bhindi cautioned that charging access, travel distances and individual circumstances mean combustion engines still have a clear market in Australia. ¹³

"We think our two BEV cars will play a bigger role as we move forward than we probably planned eight months ago," Bhindi said, according to GoAuto's interview. The elevated role of the 6e and CX-6e reflects how quickly Australian demand conditions have shifted since the start of the year. ¹

The models now launching: 6e and CX-6e

The two Chinese-built Mazdas compete respectively in the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y segments, GoAuto reports. The 6e sedan is priced from $49,990 plus on-road costs and recorded 693 registrations as sales commenced between July and August, while the larger CX-6e crossover starts from $53,990 plus on-road costs and is expected by the brand to be the stronger seller owing to its crossover shape. ¹³

Mazda Australia's own announcement, posted on 11 January 2026, confirmed the CX-6e for the local lineup in 2026 after its global debut at the Brussels Motor Show on 9 January, describing it as the second all-electric Mazda developed in collaboration with Chongqing Changan Automobile to be confirmed for Australia. The manufacturer stressed at the time that Australian specifications and features may differ from overseas models and would be confirmed closer to launch, with pricing and specification details to follow. ²

NVES pressure and the sales shortfall behind the expansion

Beyond customer demand, GoAuto reports that Mazda Australia needs the 6e and CX-6e to make a very significant contribution to the brand's total sales next year to avoid penalties under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, particularly given the company's decision to keep relying on diesel power for the BT-50 ute. Battery-electric vehicles record zero emissions under NVES rules, making additional BEVs of the most benefit to a fleet that must cut its average CO2 aggressively. ¹³

The commercial backdrop is challenging. GoAuto reports Mazda delivered 91,923 vehicles in 2025, but its January-August 2026 volume of 53,163 represents a 15.9 per cent year-on-year dip, with sharply priced BEVs likely to help establish a new source of demand. Bhindi also confirmed to GoAuto that Mazda Australia has no interest in adding a lifestyle-focused hybrid or electric ute alongside the BT-50, even though Changan's Deepal brand sells the E07 Multitruck crossover ute in Australia. ¹³

Not rebadged Changans: differentiation, Nanjing and European tuning

Bhindi told GoAuto he wanted to distinguish Changan Mazda vehicles from products sold in Australia by Changan's Deepal brand, which is distributed locally by Inchcape. He described the Nanjing production site that builds the 6e and CX-6e as a fully-fledged Mazda factory within the partnership, using Mazda systems and processes to assemble the Changan-based models. ¹³

Mazda's Frankfurt-based European development team has led the ride and handling work for both models, with Australian testing also carried out, according to GoAuto. "We've put a lot of effort in (and) we will continue to do that to make sure (Chinese-built Mazda) models are different," Bhindi said. Tarantas News reports that Mazda officially calls this approach its Lean Asset Strategy, using partner technology and production assets while reserving in-house resources for hybrids, engines and brand-defining tuning. ¹⁵

Tarantas adds that the CX-6e was adapted through cooperation between European, Japanese and Chinese teams, and has entered the European market with a 78 kWh battery and up to 484 km of WLTP range. Tarantas also cites Mazda's 2026 financial materials, which it says set out a plan to develop four joint electric models with Changan quickly and target 200,000-250,000 BEVs annually by 2030, around 15 per cent of expected global sales. These corporate figures are as reported by that outlet. ⁵

Possible new body styles and Mazda's delayed in-house EV

GoAuto identifies likely targets for the expansion, reporting that a smaller fully electric SUV than the 4800mm-long CX-6e is under consideration. Changan already builds its own Deepal S05 BEV, around 200mm shorter than the CX-6e, in right-hand drive for export, though GoAuto notes a Mazda version would require extensive design, tuning and production resources. A three-row Mazda electric SUV would address a different opportunity, but GoAuto reports Changan does not yet have a clear battery-electric candidate: the six-seat Deepal S09 uses a petrol range-extender rather than a BEV powertrain that would benefit Mazda's NVES position. ¹

The Changan expansion sits alongside a slower in-house program. CarExpert reported in May 2026 that Mazda delayed its next dedicated in-house EV by two years to 2029, with CEO Masahiro Moro telling an earnings call the decision was made before work began and that no facilities needed to be impaired or written off. CarExpert attributes the delay to tougher tariffs, weaker emissions standards and defunct EV incentives in the US, and reports Mazda reduced its electrification investment target from 2 trillion yen to 1.2 trillion yen, describing the change in its fiscal year March 2026 results as a strategic optimisation of selection and concentration. ⁷

CarExpert further reports that all four planned Changan Mazda EVs are locked in only for certain export markets including Australia and Europe, with no sign yet they will be offered in North America or Japan, and that Mazda aims for EVs to account for 15 per cent of global sales by 2030. Whether any of the third and fourth joint-venture models reach Australia remains undecided, with Bhindi's comments indicating talks rather than confirmed launches. ⁷¹