Here’s a bold claim: Mazda’s new electric car, the 6e, promises to drive like a true Mazda, not just a rebadged Chinese model. But here’s where it gets interesting—how can a car born from a 20-year partnership with Chinese automaker Changan still feel distinctly Mazda? Let’s dive in.
Mazda insists the 6e, its first long-range electric vehicle for Australia, will deliver the brand’s signature driving experience despite its Chinese roots. This isn’t just a rebranding exercise; Mazda’s European engineers have been hard at work tailoring the 6e’s ride and handling to meet the brand’s high standards. And this is the part most people miss: while the 6e shares its underpinnings with the Deepal SL03, Mazda has gone beyond a simple rebadge, redesigning key elements like the body, doors, and windows—changes that are typically costly and complex.
Unlike Mazda’s earlier EVs, such as the MX-30 and CX-30, the 6e was designed from the ground up as an electric car, not adapted from a petrol model. This approach, combined with input from Mazda’s global R&D teams (led by their European division), ensures the 6e feels like a Mazda through and through. As Vinesh Bhindi, Mazda Australia’s managing director, puts it, ‘Our European team were the leaders in shaping the 6e’s driving dynamics.’
But here’s the controversial bit: Can a car developed in partnership with a Chinese automaker truly retain its Japanese identity? Mazda seems to think so, and they’re doubling down on their ‘Zoom-Zoom’ philosophy, emphasizing the 6e’s handling and driver connection. But what do you think? Is this a genuine Mazda, or just a clever rebranding?
The 6e, known as the EZ-6 in China, was first unveiled in April 2024 as a China-exclusive model. However, its expansion to Europe and the UK (in right-hand drive) paved the way for its Australian debut, slated for mid-2025. While overseas markets will get both electric and plug-in hybrid versions, Mazda Australia has opted for the fully electric variant only—a bold move in a market still warming up to EVs.
The 6e retains the Deepal’s footprint, wheel positioning, and electric powertrain but introduces a unique body design. This blend of shared engineering and Mazda-specific tweaks raises an intriguing question: How much innovation is enough to claim a car as your own? And this is where the debate heats up: Is Mazda’s approach a smart way to leverage global partnerships, or does it dilute the brand’s identity?
As Mazda prepares to replace the petrol-powered Mazda 6 with the 6e, the brand is betting big on its ability to deliver an electric car that feels unmistakably Mazda. But will drivers agree? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—is the 6e a genuine Mazda, or just a clever rebadge with a European twist?
