Mazda’s China-built 6e begins export production amid tariff headwinds

Mazda has officially launched export production of the Mazda 6e, its China-built electric sedan aimed at global markets, including Europe and Southeast Asia. The first units rolled off the production line at the Changan Mazda plant in Nanjing last week.

It signals the company’s renewed push into the international EV market, as the carmaker hasn’t been at the forefront of electric driving. However, trade pressures in the EU and the US have made the timing unlucky.

The 6e, a rebadged version of the Mazda EZ-6 already on sale in China, is the product of a 20-year joint venture between Mazda and Changan Automobile. Unveiled globally at the Brussels Motor Show in January, the 6e is Mazda’s first electric vehicle to be exported from China. It is slated to arrive in European showrooms starting in the summer of 2025.

Reasonable pricing

Unlike previous Mazda models from Japan, the 6e was co-developed with Changan and built entirely in China. Mazda stresses that the vehicle adheres to its global design, development, and manufacturing standards, thanks to advanced automation, digital inspection systems, and lean production processes at the Nanjing facility. 

The vehicle’s dimensions—4,921 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,485 mm high—place it in the same class as the Tesla Model 3, but with a design rooted in Mazda’s sleek house style. Features like a frameless door and a lit front grille seem to hint at upscale aspirations. However, prices, starting at € 42.890 for the Takumi in Belgium, are reasonable for a sedan of this size.

That pricing accessibility on the standard version comes from a 68.8 kWh battery with a less expensive lithium iron phosphate chemistry. It reaches a WLTP range of 479 kilometers and a 190 kW (255 hp) rear-mounted motor.

The long-range model, slightly less potent at 180 kW (241 hp), pairs with an 80 kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery for a 552-kilometer WLTP range. It starts at € 45.290. Fast charging from 30% to 80% takes around 15 minutes.

“Proceed with our plans.”

Despite its ambitions, the 6e enters a politically charged environment. In October last year, the European Union voted to impose higher tariffs on Chinese-made EVs for at least five years following the well-known anti-subsidy investigation.

While this move complicates pricing strategies, Mazda remains firm on its plan. “Despite the impact of these tariffs, we will proceed with our plans and continue to provide our customers with high-quality products that deliver value,” the official line goes.

Meeting EU regulatory requirements is also part of Mazda’s long-term strategy. Though the timing has been relaxed to 2027, automakers must meet stricter fleet-wide CO₂ targets of 93.6g/km. The 6e plays a crucial role in helping Mazda meet those mandates.

SUV in the pipeline

The vehicles will be shipped from China under the oversight of Mazda’s headquarters in Japan, aligning the logistics with existing export routes from Japan to maximize efficiency. Upon arrival, Mazda Motor Logistics Europe will handle integration into its current distribution network. European deliveries will flow through key ports like Antwerp and Zeebrugge.

Looking ahead, Mazda and Changan are preparing to expand their electric lineup with an upcoming SUV—expected to launch as the CX-6e—based on the Arata concept. Mazda intends to scale its EV offerings globally despite slower-than-expected adoption and competitive headwinds.