Not everything has to go into electric cars. People just as much want cheap and cheaper gasoline cars, says Mazda's boss now.
Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro says customers continue to demand cheap gasoline cars over more expensive electric alternatives.
In an interview with Automotive News , he explained that "Customers are looking for affordable solutions over electric cars. They want better value. They're still looking for a reliable internal combustion engine."
Mazda estimates that two-thirds of its sales in the US by 2030 will come from gasoline cars and hybrids, while only one-third will be electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Mazda has had mixed success with electric vehicles. The MX-30 electric SUV was removed from the US market after 2023 due to low sales figures.
Models like the China-made EZ-6 sedan and the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, which is powered by a small Wankel engine, have also failed to materialize on the other side of the Atlantic, showing that Mazda's strategy is more focused on the combustion engine.
However, the Japanese still expect solid growth in North America. Mazda plans to deliver 600,000 cars in North America alone by the end of 2024, of which 420,000 will be sold in the United States.
By 2025, Mazda has a goal of reaching 450,000 cars sold in the United States. If successful, Mazda will reach an unprecedented sales volume.
While other car brands are focusing on a faster transition to electric cars, Mazda has chosen a more gradual approach.
The transition to electric cars in the US has slowed down over the past 18 months, giving Mazda time to develop their technology.
For example, the car brand is working on and with batteries that have an even higher energy density than what is known today. In addition, the goal is faster charging and solid-state batteries. Something that was already proclaimed many years ago as the real breakthrough for the electric car.
Mazda is also continuing to develop combustion engines. A new two-chamber Wankel engine for the American market is on the way. Mazda itself expects the engine to be among the best Wankel designs ever.
In addition, the Skyactiv-Z engine is scheduled for launch in 2027, replacing the current Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv-X engines.
In fact, Mazda estimates that no more than 25 percent of global sales are electric cars. The same is true for Toyota and Subaru, brands that also refuse to abandon the combustion engine.
According to Mazda, the continued belief in the quality of the internal combustion engine is due to the desire to appeal to customers who value reliability at an affordable price.
