by Many legacy automakers are struggling with the rapid development of Chinese startups and their innovative new electric vehicles. However, earlier this week, Mazda introduced an electric SUV called the EZ-60, which has already garnered significant attention in the country. It is also very popular, as over 10,000 pre-orders were placed within 48 hours of its unveiling.
The car does not resemble any Mazda sold anywhere else in the world. Thanks to a collaboration with Changan, it actually shares a platform with the S07 model, one of the newer electric SUVs from the People’s Republic.
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According to reports, Mazda secured 10,060 pre-orders for the EZ-60 within two days of its debut. This happened despite the fact that, so far, the SUV has only been shown in the extended-range version, and details about the battery-electric version have yet to be announced.
However, pre-orders should not be confused with actual sales. First, buyers are not obligated to purchase the car. Additionally, pre-orders can be placed for just 10 yuan, equivalent to $1.40. Not everyone who does this will actually buy the car, but this is a standard practice in the industry—only the percentage varies in each case.
Although Mazda uses the foundation of a Chinese SUV, it has cleverly given the EZ-60 a familiar Japanese exterior. This is important, as it will be sold not only in China but also in other countries, where it will be known as the CX-6e. Unfortunately, the U.S. is one of the markets where it will not be available.
The extended-range version of the EZ-60, showcased at the Shanghai Auto Show, features a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine acting as a generator for a 31.7 kWh battery, which powers the rear axle via a 255-horsepower electric motor. As mentioned earlier, Mazda has not yet disclosed the specifications for the battery-electric version, and it will be interesting to see how buyers respond to it.
