Mazda CX-6e no closer to Aussie showrooms

MAZDA Australia says its keenly anticipated CX-6e mid-sized electric SUV is still no closer to being confirmed for right-hand drive markets, despite the model being high on the wish list for the importer’s local line-up.

Speaking with GoAuto at a pre-launch drive of the 6e in Melbourne this week, Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi said that while the importer is fully aware of the role the CX-6e could play in expanding the brand’s electric portfolio, it has yet to receive confirmation that the model will be produced in right-hand drive configuration.

“It is on our wish list to get the (CX-6e) SUV at this stage, but it’s not yet a global car,” he explained.

“If it gets confirmed as a global car, our next hurdle will be getting it in right-hand drive. But once those two things are ticked off, and it is under consideration by Mazda Corporation on that front, then we'll build a business case.

Mr Bhindi said Mazda Australia customer and dealers alike rated the CX-6e as their “most wanted” Mazda model, seeing it as a popular rival to in-market competitors from the likes of BYD, Polestar, Tesla, and others with an all-electric mid-sized SUV entrant.

“But I do think the (CX-6e) is where the big opportunity will be eventually,” he admitted.

Built by Mazda affiliate Changan (makers of the related Deepal model range, among others), the CX-6e is branded as the EZ-60 in China.

Mazda Australia said previously that the business case for the model “will be easier” than it was for the 6e (sedan), but that the deal is certainly far from being confirmed, leaving the importer without a battery electric accompaniment to its strong selling CX-5 petrol mid-sized SUV, at least for the time being.