Changan Mazda, the Japanese manufacturer’s Chinese joint venture, has signed a memorandum of cooperation with CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd.) to use the battery expert’s new CIIC (cell-to-chassis) skateboard platform. This will allow for high efficiency and a shorter development time for new electric cars.
The skateboard chassis includes a base structure or a platform, which houses the batteries, electric motors, and other electronic components fundamental to an electric vehicle. CATL says the core powertrain, brake-by-wire systems, steering, suspension, and three-electric module are all integrated on the skateboard.
Range of more than 1,000 km?
CATL introduced its CIIC platform back in December 2024. It consists of a skateboard-style chassis separate from the car’s upper body. The new skateboard, nicknamed ‘Bedrock,’ should be as hard to crush as the name suggests.
CATL claims it is also the safest EV chassis so far. This skateboard allows for more flexibility in creating different models for the same platform, and the cell-to-chassis technology also saves space. The ‘tortoiseshell structure’ creates crumple zones to absorb the energy of an impact.
It promises a range of over 1,000 kilometers and supports Level 3 and 4 autonomous driving.
Shorter development times
Now it looks like CATL’s platform has seduced Changan Mazda, as both Chinese companies have signed a memorandum of cooperation to develop Mazda’s new-energy vehicles (NEV) for the Chinese market on the CIIC platform.
This would shorten development times, allowing the car manufacturer to adjust its model strategy quickly in changing market conditions. However, no concrete plans have yet been announced.
Mazda is relying on China for its electrification
Changan Mazda recently became more well-known in Europe thanks to the Mazda 6e, which is also coming to Europe as a successor to the combustion-powered Mazda 6, and its SUV sibling EZ-60, which is likely making the same journey and will be called CX-6e in Europe.
The cars are closely related to Chang’an’s Deepal models, but they feature Mazda designs with traits similar to those of the Japanese models.
Mazda is counting on its Chinese joint venture to accelerate its electrification. The Japanese company only has the MX-30, an electric model developed in-house. With a range of only 250 km, this funky crossover has not impressed many customers.
A range-extended version with a rotary engine was introduced in 2023, but to make space, the MX-30 R-EV’s battery was cut in half, limiting the electric driving range even further.
However, Mazda is too small to make the necessary investments in developing electrified drivetrains, relying instead on partnerships with specialists like Toyota and Changan. With the Mazda 6e saloon and the EZ-60 SUV, European customers will finally have a more rounded electric offering from the Japanese brand.
