by The new electric Mazda CX-6e enters the Australian market
More and more Chinese-made electric vehicles from well-known manufacturers are appearing on global markets, including Australia. Following Hyundai, which started selling its China-made Elexio model in this country, Mazda has taken a similar path. The Japanese brand has introduced its only fully electric crossover in Australia — the CX-6e. This model is positioned as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y and is offered at a lower price, although it does not have an all-wheel-drive version.
The car is manufactured in China at the Changan Mazda joint venture and is technically closely related to the Deepal S07 model, which is already on sale in Australia. The base GT trim will start from 53,990 Australian dollars. This price is lower than the base Tesla Model Y, which starts from $58,900. However, in China itself, the same Mazda CX-6e costs significantly less — from 139,900 yuan. Chinese buyers also have access to a hybrid version with a range extender, which is even more affordable, but is not exported.
The price of the Mazda CX-6e in Australia is almost twice as high as in China, which is a characteristic phenomenon for the global auto market.
Technical specifications and equipment
For their money, Australian buyers will get a modern crossover with a 78 kWh battery and a rear electric motor producing 255 hp. Key features of the base GT trim include:
The top Azami trim, which will start from $56,990, additionally offers digital side mirrors, a digital rearview mirror, and 21-inch wheels.
Range and sales features
Both versions have a claimed range of 484 kilometers in the combined cycle. Mazda does not disclose the maximum DC fast charging speed but states that the battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in 15 minutes, which is a decent but not record-breaking figure.
To boost interest in the novelty, the first thousand Australian customers who pre-order the GT version will receive a free upgrade to the Azami trim. The only additional option for both variants is a warm beige interior for an extra charge.
Deliveries of the Mazda CX-6e electric crossover to customers in Australia will begin as early as September. This launch clearly demonstrates how the landscape of the global auto market is changing: traditional brands are increasingly using manufacturing facilities in China to create competitive electric vehicles. The success of models like the CX-6e will depend not only on price but also on how willing buyers are to accept the ‘Chinese’ origin of a car under a well-known Japanese name. For Mazda, this is a strategic step in the fight for market share in the era of electrification, especially in regions where competition with Tesla and other EV manufacturers is particularly fierce.
