MAZDA AUSTRALIA is getting ready to submit a proper enterprise case to its Japanese mum or dad firm to safe the native introduction of the 6e electrical sedan, following affirmation of right-hand-drive (RHD) manufacturing for the mannequin.
The mid-size electrical sedan, which was co-developed with long-time Chinese language joint-venture companion Changan, was revealed in April 2024 and confirmed for European markets—together with the UK—in early 2025. The approval of RHD manufacturing for the UK is now seen as a catalyst for Australian availability.
“With the RHD Mazda 6e being confirmed, we have to get our skates on and construct the suitable enterprise case,” Mazda Australia (MA) managing director Vinesh Bhindi informed media.
“(It isn’t) a performed deal, however the way in which we have a look at it’s that MA provides the (biggest) quantity of fashions once you have a look at the worldwide portfolio, and we don’t wish to abandon that technique.
“Hybrid tech, plug-in hybrid tech and full battery EV is the main focus (for Mazda)—not simply pure inner combustion (ICE). We are going to provide as a lot alternative as we are able to. (In Australia) there are early adopters, six to seven per cent of shoppers, saying that BEV is tech they wish to embrace, so Mazda will provide that, if we are able to.”
Mazda UK is believed to be working to safe RHD availability of the carefully associated CX-6e—a midsize electrical SUV that shares its platform and batteries with the 6e, and is a crossover different to the Tesla Mannequin Y. The CX-6e sits excessive on MA’s want record and is taken into account a very viable mannequin for native sale.
“All of us need (the CX-6e), so if it turns into obtainable, we shall be asking for it,” mentioned MA nationwide supervisor of product and enterprise technique Daniel Wakelam. “The enterprise case (for CX-6e) shall be a bit simpler. As a result of it’s a medium SUV, it’s fairly easy.”
Mr Bhindi acknowledged that however indicated that rising client curiosity and an extra measure of regulatory certainty following the re-election of the Albanese federal authorities have been influencing Mazda’s EV technique.
“With the New Car Effectivity Customary (legal guidelines now in impact), if the federal government is absolutely decided to cut back our carbon footprint from Australia, I can solely anticipate they are going to go stronger and more durable in the direction of BEVs,” Mr Bhindi mentioned.
Technical specs for the 6e place the sedan on Changan’s EVA1 electrical automobile platform, which additionally underpins Deepal fashions. Measuring 4921mm in size and 1890mm in width, the automobile is roughly 50mm bigger in every route than the now-discontinued petrol-powered Mazda 6.
The 6e is rear-wheel drive, and develops outputs of 180kW and 320Nm. Two batteries are provided: a 66.0kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) unit with 479km vary, and a 75.0kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) unit delivering 552km below WLTP protocols.
Charging capabilities range by pack, with each supporting 11kW AC enter. The smaller LFP battery can obtain 200kW peak and 126kW common DC charging from 10 to 80 per cent in simply 23 minutes. In distinction, the NMC battery peaks at 95kW and averages 70kW, requiring 47 minutes for a similar charging window.
Inside appointments for the 6e embody black or tan leather-based, a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, 14-speaker Sony sound system, and an augmented actuality head-up show. Cargo capability is listed at 330 litres with an extra 70 litres obtainable within the frunk.
A spread-extender hybrid variant of the 6e can also be on sale in China. This model utilises a 70kW 1.5-litre petrol engine as a generator and is obtainable with both an 18.9kWh or 28.4kWh battery, yielding electric-only ranges of 105km and 160km respectively, and a mixed driving vary in extra of 1000km.
Nonetheless, Mr Bhindi informed GoAuto that the enterprise case at present into account solely covers the BEV variations, though the native distributor could “probably develop” the providing to incorporate the hybrid if market demand warrants it.
MA’s EV enterprise case course of is now underway, with Mr Wakelam telling GoAuto that planning had been influenced by the extremely concentrated nature of the Australian electrical sedan section.
“We frequently begin (enterprise instances) a number of years forward. We’ve market analysis firm that forecasts what the market goes to do. The complication now could be that we aren’t simply trying on the market general, as we might have performed up to now. We are saying the medium section shall be ‘this large’, however that it (could) be 20 to 40 per cent electrical.”
“It is a actually distorted section as a result of Tesla Mannequin 3 (gross sales) are massively distorting it. That’s most likely a particular case. We’re not going to (promote) 25,000 6es, like they (promote Mannequin 3s),” he mentioned.
“To get this system throughout the road with Japan, we now have to…put to them that we are able to promote this many automobiles, and make this a lot revenue … We could also be a bit conservative in some instances, however you’ll be able to’t be too conservative.
“If we’re, and the demand is (then) actually excessive, we could not be capable to get the additional manufacturing, so it’s important to attempt to get one of the best steadiness.”
In accordance with 2024 gross sales knowledge, Tesla delivered 17,094 Mannequin 3 models domestically, whereas the Toyota Camry registered 15,401 gross sales and the outgoing Mazda 6 achieved 1354 models. Midsize BEV sedans included the BYD Seal (6393) and BMW i4 (2062).
“The UK are determined for the [6e] in order that they did the heavy lifting,” Mr Wakelam added. “They bought the (RHD) marketing strategy authorized. As soon as RHD is obtainable, it makes it simpler (to convey it to Australia).
“EVs are additionally simpler than ICE automobiles as a result of there isn’t any emissions take a look at that must be performed. It brings the fee down and means there’s much less distinctive funding for (ADR) compliance than what another automobiles would have.”
The CX-6e, badged because the EZ-60 in China, made its public debut on the 2025 Auto Shanghai motor present.
At 4850mm lengthy, it’s positioned above the CX-5 and CX-60 in Mazda’s international SUV hierarchy and is anticipated to behave because the model’s major electrical SUV providing till new EV fashions based mostly on in-house structure arrive round 2028.
The SUV’s exterior and inside mirror a half-generation evolution over the 6e, previewing Mazda’s “next-generation Kodo design” language. Styling options embody LED perimeter grille lighting, a coupe-style roofline and a 26-inch touchscreen that may break up into two home windows.
Extra gear features a 3D digital head-up show, a 23-speaker stereo system with headrest-mounted audio system, and digital exterior mirrors.
Mazda’s Shanghai presentation centered on the CX-6e range-extender mannequin, which pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 31.7kWh LFP battery. The automobile is rated for 128km of electric-only vary and greater than 1000km of whole driving vary, with mixed system outputs of 190kW.
Whereas specs for the CX-6e BEV have but to be finalised, it’s anticipated that the SUV will share battery and motor configurations with the 6e, providing a alternative of LFP or NMC packs and outputs of 160kW or 175kW. Estimated WLTP vary figures are anticipated to fall between 400km and 500km.
Mr Wakelam agreed the UK was probably already engaged on a RHD enterprise case for the CX-6e and steered the SUV could attain Australian showrooms at a lower cost than the 6e, owing to the upper quantity expectations and ensuing emissions offset advantages.
“The worth construction is extra sophisticated as a result of we’re in a partnership with one other model (Changan). They’re on an identical platform anyway, the bottom automobile might be very comparable, the batteries are the identical, the motors are most likely the identical—it’s principally the sheetmetal that’s distinctive,” Mr Wakelam mentioned.
