Mazda plans to make ‘7 or 8’ electric car models by 2030
Slow-moving Mazda, which currently sells one electric car, the MX-30 (and in limited quantities), says it will finally wake from its long slumber and crank out a few more EVs, seven or eight models in fact, and sell them internationally by 2030. Here’s hoping that the promised electric Miata is part of the lineup.
Of course, no precise information – where, what, when – is available, but Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro shared the tidbit with Automotive News in an interview. Moro, who took the helm earlier this year, has been extremely vocal about his reluctance to embrace EVs, saying that they don’t sell unless they are from Tesla. Still, he does say that Mazda will start to make some effort, with the caveat that the Japanese automaker is an “intentional follower” rather than a leader in the sector and that the market is still too shaky to dive in headfirst.
“For us, the demand for electric models is too uncertain,” Moro told Automotive News. “The demand for electric cars is still growing too slowly. Right now, customers are still looking for alternatives that are not EVs.”
The company has indicated that it expects some 25 to 40% of its international sales to be electric vehicles by 2030 – which won’t meet EPA requirements. Still, to make that uninspiring goal happen, Mazda has launched a department to develop these new cars based on what will be a modular EV platform, expected to debut between 2025 and 2027. According to the report, the details of the platform are still being developed in response to evolving regulations and politics, with Moro adding that the financial unpredictability surrounding EVs could play a part in scaling up the platform.
The first step is to design and manufacture electric vehicles for Japan, from 2025 to 2027, and then launch them potentially in North America next, from 2028. By 2030, Mazda aims to have seven or eight BEVs sold globally.
Moro adds that the company will work with its partner, the behemoth Toyota, on software and electrical infrastructures, with the mission to create smart, “socially connected battery EVs,” with software crucial to that process. As much as 90% of the software will be based on Toyota’s, including the hardware and operating systems.
“It’s much more efficient because the software is going to be the base for many products going forward,” Moro told Automotive News of the partnership with Toyota. “There are many things an individual company can’t do alone.”
Electrek’s Take
Earlier this year, Mazda announced an “electrified” Miata was in the works for 2026, but it didn’t specify whether it would be fully electric, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid. So, if it could capture that Miata magic in an electric version – a fun-driving, agile, sporty car that looks a lot more expensive than it is – that would be a sure thing. But, it’s hard to feel real optimism from Mazda, from the looks of the MX-30, which got pulled from the US after selling only a few dozen units. Mazda, along with other Japanese automakers, is, of course, way behind the curve here.
Moro did, however, hint that Mazda will stick to what it arguably does best, designing a small, lightweight EV and keeping costs pared down. Still, the company is banking on the popularity of its bestselling ICE CX-50 and CX-90 SUVs to bring it a record year in profit in the US, selling 389,000 vehicles in the US, a 22% bump from last year. It hasn’t broken this record since 1986. It has recently debuted PHEV versions of both models for 2024, but we’ve still nary a fully electric version in sight.
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Environment
Baidu- and Geely-backed JiYue brand unveils ROBO X EV that goes 0-100 km/h in under 1.9 sec
JiYue, a Chinese EV brand focused on delivering all-electric “robocars” to the masses, has unveiled its latest model, and it’s quite a deviation from its previous EVs—but in the best way. Earlier today, JiYue launched the ROBO X supercar, designed for high-speed racing. By high speed, we mean 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 1.9 seconds. My mouth is watering.
JiYue has only existed since 2021, when parent tech company Baidu announced it was expanding from software development into physical EV production, joining forces with multinational automotive manufacturer Geely.
The new “robotic EV” marque initially launched as JIDU with $300 million in startup capital before garnering an additional $400 million in Series A funding, led by Baidu, in January 2022.
In August 2023, Geely took on a larger role in JIDU alongside a greater financial stake as the brand reimagined itself as JiYue, inheriting the JIDU logo and its flagship model, the 01 ROBOCAR.
In December 2023, Baidu and Geely unveiled a second model called the JiYue 07. It was born from JIDU’s ROBO-02 concept, which debuted in 2023 and was designed to compete against the Tesla Model 3 in China.
The 07 finally launched in China earlier this year with 545 miles of range. With an all-electric SUV and sedan on the market, JiYue has unveiled an exciting new entry in the form of a performance supercar called the ROBO X. Check it out:
JiYue’s new ROBO X EV is available for pre-order now
JiYue showcased its new ROBO X hypercar in front of the crowd at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show earlier today. Similar to previous models but with a unique spin, JiYue described the ROBO X as an AI smart-driving supercar that, for the first time, blends artificial intelligence and autonomous driving into a high-performance, race-ready EV.
When we say “high performance,” we mean a quad motor liquid-cooled drive system that can propel the ROBO X from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in under 1.9 seconds. JiYue called the new ROBO X a “performance beast” with “the perfect balance of excellent aerodynamic performance and high downforce.” JiYue CEO Joe Xia was even bolder in his statements about the ROBO X:
For the next 20 years, the design of supercars will bear the shadow of Robo X. This is the best design in the history of Chinese automobiles today, and it is a landmark presence.
Fighter-style airflow ducts bolster the EV’s aerodynamics, efficiency, and overall posture. Per JiYue, the two-seater ROBO X is expected to deliver a maximum range of over 650 km (404 miles).
The new supercar features falcon-wing doors, a carbon fiber integrated frame, and a professional racing HALO safety system offering 360° of support. The interior features an AI smart cockpit with SIMO real-time feedback to give drivers an immersive racing experience.
Furthermore, JiYue said the vehicle will utilize parent company Baidu’s Apollo self-driving technology, which could make it the first electric supercar to apply pure-vision ADAS technology that enables track-level autonomous driving.
Following today’s unveiling of the ROBO X, JiYue has officially opened up pre-orders in China for RMB 49,999 ($6,915). That said, reservation holders will need to be patient as JiYue shared that it doesn’t expect to begin mass production of the ROBO X until 2027.
What do you think? Will people be talking about the ROBO X for the next 20 years?
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This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes the launch of the Lectric XPedition 2.0, Yamaha e-bikes pulling out of North America, LiveWire unveils an electric scooter concept, PNY readying its cargo e-scooters for pilot testing, Royal Enfield’s first electric motorcycle, and more.
The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:30 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:30 a.m. ET):
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Crude oil futures were on pace Friday for loss for the week, as a supply gut and a strong dollar depresses the market.
U.S. crude oil is down more than 2% this week, while Brent has shed nearly 2%.
Here are Friday’s energy prices:
- West Texas Intermediate December contract: $68.56 per barrel, down 14 cents, or 0.2%. Year to date, U.S. crude oil has shed about 4%.
- Brent January contract: $72.36 per barrel, down 20 cents, or 0.28%. Year to date, the global benchmark has lost nearly 6%.
- RBOB Gasoline December contract: $1.99 per gallon, up 0.46%. Year to date, gasoline has fallen more than 1%.
- Natural Gas December contract: $2.70 per thousand cubic feet, down 2.98%. Year to date, gas has gained more than 4%.
The International Energy Agency has forecast a surplus of more than 1 million barrels per day in 2025 on robust production in the U.S. OPEC revised down its demand forecast for the fourth consecutive month as demand in China remains soft.
A strong dollar also hangs over the market, as the greenback has surged in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory.
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