Mazda has introduced a major funding into constructing future fashions in Thailand, and it has previewed what one will appear to be.
This week, Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro introduced the carmaker will make investments 5 billion Baht ($233.8 million) right into a Thai manufacturing facility to provide electrified small SUVs, each for the area and for export markets.
After a gathering with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Moro-san introduced the Thai chief with a pair of design sketches for an upcoming mannequin to be constructed on the manufacturing facility – believed to be the following Mazda CX-3.
It’s anticipated to enter manufacturing by 2027.
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The CX-3 is at the moment in-built each Thailand and Mexico, nevertheless Australian examples solely come from the Rayong facility, which operates beneath the identify AutoAlliance Thailand as a three way partnership between Mazda and Ford.
Different Australian-delivered autos which come from this facility embrace Ford’s fashionable Ranger and Everest, in addition to the Mazda 2. The Mazda 3 and CX-30 are additionally made there, nevertheless Australia sources these fashions from Japan.
The relevance and recognition of the Mazda CX-3 offers weight to the speculation that the next-generation mannequin is the one introduced within the design sketches.
Although the design is a really early drawing, we will see the CX-3 will probably get thinner home windows, a flatter entrance design (akin to the electrical Mazda 6e), distinctive vertical tail lights and a black distinction roof.
It’s value noting the design sketches usually emphasise options that are later toned down on manufacturing variations of the mannequin.
Mazda is but to element when the primary electrified mannequin will roll off the Thailand manufacturing line, nevertheless it’s concentrating on 100,000 autos to be constructed yearly.
“With an extra funding of over 5 billion baht, Mazda goals to ascertain Thailand because the manufacturing hub for its electrified compact SUV merchandise,” Moro-san stated.
“The autos to be produced might be excessive efficiency compact SUVs that meet worldwide requirements, each by way of environmental friendliness and hybrid know-how.
“This massive-scale complete manufacturing funding is to assist home gross sales and exports to Japan and different nations, equivalent to ASEAN nations, concentrating on a manufacturing of 100,000 items per yr.”
Mazda tapped Toyota for the latter’s hybrid powertrain, which is used within the CX-50 mid-sized SUV bought abroad. Nonetheless, it has confirmed its next-generation CX-5 will function a hybrid powertrain developed in-house.
Despite the fact that it’s about to have a good time its tenth birthday and has already been discontinued in markets like Europe and the US, the CX-3 is a vital mannequin in Mazda’s Australian lineup.
In 2024, 18,461 CX-3s had been delivered, making it the preferred mild SUV in Australia.
It was additionally Mazda’s second-best vendor, behind solely the CX-5 mid-size SUV, and forward of the BT-50 ute and CX-30 SUV.
