(JW Insights) Apr 18 -- The Japanese auto manufacturer Mazda Motor plans to release two electric vehicle models in China next year and in 2025 as part of its strategy to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in a bid to boost flagging sales in the country, reported Yicai Global on April 17.

China Chang’an Mazda Automobile, the firm’s joint venture with Changan Automobile(长安汽车), will develop and produce the cars, Hiroshima-based Mazda said on April 16. This is a divergence from the previous arrangement where Mazda developed the vehicles and the JV made and sold them.

Mazda, whose China sales plunged 46.1 percent in March year on year, revealed its three-stage strategy to going electric for the first time. This includes electrification-oriented development from 2022 to 2024, developing battery technologies and unveiling electric vehicles from 2025 to 2027 and investing in battery production facilities from 2028 to 2030, according to Yicai Global.

Two of Chang’an Mazda’s shareholders are investing in the JV to develop NEVs, said Toru Nakajima, chairman of Mazda China. Both Mazda and Chongqing-based Chang’an Auto have sent engineering and tech experts as well as designers; Mazda China’s research and development center will also participate in the development, he added.

Chang'an Mazda has developed a hybrid electric vehicle version of its CX-50 and this will be on display at the Shanghai Auto Show this week.

Many Japanese carmakers are playing catch-up as electric cars claim an increasingly bigger share of the Chinese auto market. Although some, such as Toyota Motor and Honda Motor, have released EVs, their sales in China have been lackluster as they do not target the Chinese consumer.

The China sales of Toyota, Honda, Nissan Motor and Mazda all slumped in the first quarter and Mazda was the worst performer, tumbling 66.1 percent year on year, said Yicai Global’s report.

(Gao J)