Mazda has made it clear that it sees a future where EVs and a push to become a more premium automaker will help shape its future as the Japanese automaker prepares to enter the next key phase in its history. However, money will ultimately be the key fuel behind these plans and Mazda knows that it has to be careful in the way it manages that aspect of its operations. The company is now preparing to move full speed ahead with the firm confirming a new “Lean Asset Strategy” to help streamline these plans.
Mazda will be leaner and better than ever
A large chunk of this plan comes in the form of a massive cut in its existing EV operations with the company slashing $3.36 billion dollars with this plan continuing on until 2030. Mazda says that its recent collaborative efforts with Toyota and Chinese automaker Chanagan among others are a large part of the plan with one of the goals being that Mazda will have enhanced flexibility and also be able to maximize the benefits it gets from participation with its partners.
“While a large amount of investment is required for batteries, demand is highly uncertain,” said Mazda President and CEO Masahiro Moro. “We will implement careful and efficient investment while monitoring technical innovation. The environment surrounding electrification… has many uncertainties. Even under these circumstances, Mazda, as a small player in the industry, is pursuing our Lean Asset Strategy to minimize business risks and improve business efficiency.”
To that end, Mazda sees 2030 as “the dawn of electrification” and as a result, it sees this as a transitional period as it moves from combustion into other fuel sources. While this means a lean profile for now, the company is confident that this strategy of careful planning and not being rushed into products will help it smoothly move into an all-electric future.
Mazda’s plan comes amid good vibes for the year
The announcement of this plan comes as Mazda revealed that it had a good sales year in 2024 with the brand selling 1.2 million vehicles. That’s still way less than bigger firms like Toyota and Honda but much of these sales are based on the performance of three SUV models the CX-50, 70, and 90 with the trio expected to form a solid foundation for Mazda’s vehicle sales.
This low figure also means Mazda has less resources to work with but this has always been balanced out by the brand’s desire to be different with the brand taking several key steps in this regard. For example, the brand’s Skyactiv engines were naturally aspirated even as the bulk of the industry moved towards turbocharged powerplants. This willingness to go against the grain has served Mazda well with the two-seat Miata continuing to be a visual reminder of this in action. In the meantime, Mazda will focus on releasing the EZ-6 sedan with the four-door reportedly being available either as an EV or a PHEV vehicle. Skyactiv will also continue to be a key pillar of its future with the technology finding its way into more models including its revived rotary engine.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.