AUTONEWS

MAZDA CONFIRMS ITS FIRST ELECTRONIC CAR FOR 2020
According to Masahiro Moro, CEO of Mazda North America, the first plug-in model of the brand will reach the United States in 2020. Moro's words are very revealing but at the same time very enigmatic as he did not want to reveal the nature of the model . So it is not known exactly if it was referring to a pure electric vehicle or a hybrid plug-in. Both typologies fit perfectly into this category.In recent months we have been able to know some steps of the Japanese company in the electric segment, and even there are already confirmed projects of semi-hybrid models, plug-in hybrids and even pure electric. But the latest statements from the CEO of the North American division of Mazda are not in line with the deadlines previously announced by the brand.In the middle of last year, the Hiroshima brand unveiled its strategic technology plan for the coming years, showing the dates of its forthcoming technological launches, including new engines such as SkyActiv-X engines, until the arrival of its evolution. KODO design language. Whose scheme appears in the image below.As we can see, according to this plan, the semi-hybrid and pure electric models were announced for the coming year 2019, and the plug-in hybrids for 2021. By 2020 there is no release in this respect, therefore, Moro's fit with this earlier presentation.In the case of referring to pure electric, it would be confirming the commercial launch of its first electric in that market in 2020. Which would make a lot of sense, a presentation in 2019 and a commercialization outside of Japan already the following year. Otherwise, if it had referred to a PHEV model, it would be advancing that launch in one year over the original plan.In any case, we are already very close to seeing the Japanese manufacturer's line extended with new electrified versions, including those that will be developed jointly with Toyota, thanks to the recent collaboration agreement between both companies.