A replacement is coming for the Mazda 6 and it’ll pack electric power – but it will reportedly be developed in China using a Chinese platform.
Autohome reports Mazda has trademarked the EZ-6 name in China, likely for a vehicle teased by the Changan Mazda joint venture last year.
It could be revealed at this year’s Beijing motor show in April.
Additionally, the company has trademarked the EZ-60 nameplate, potentially for an SUV.
According to a presentation slide shared by the Chinese publication, the first of the two models, codenamed J90A, will launch in 2024, with the second – codenamed J90K – to launch in 2025.
Both will offer a choice of electric and range-extender powertrains.
Additionally, Changan Mazda will introduce two further products in 2026 which it’s currently referring to only as NEV SUV and NEV CAR.
In a presentation to media, Changan Mazda said it’s looking to actively promote the export of electrified models produced in China while also researching overseas cooperation opportunities with other carmakers.
The joint venture is aiming to produce 550,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in China.
Deepal SL03 and S7
Changan Mazda will reportedly use Changan’s EPA1 platform, which supports hybrid and electric powertrains, instead of Mazda’s upcoming SkyActiv Scalable EV Architecture or its SkyActiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture.
This Changan platform is currently used on the SL03 liftback and S7 SUV from its fledgling Deepal brand, which confirmed earlier this year it would produce vehicles in right-hand drive for markets such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK.
The Deepal brand is expected to launch its global push with the body-on-frame G318 off-roader, and it’s unclear if the less rugged SL03 and S7 will also be offered outside of China.
Current Mazda 6
The EZ-6 would give Changan Mazda replacement for the locally built 6. Also produced in Japan and Vietnam, the Mazda 6 is exported to a dwindling number of markets – Australia being one of them – and was recently axed in Japan.
While there have been rumours of a new-generation model on the rear/all-wheel drive Large Architecture underpinning the Mazda CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90, such a vehicle has yet to eventuate.
That has left the current model to soldier on for almost 12 years, though it has received updates during this time.
MORE: Everything Mazda 6
