Concept cars are all fun and games, but the percentage that make it to market in original form is very low. That figure ticked up just a touch today, though, as it appears like Mazda is going to bring the Arata concept to production almost unchanged. The production version will be called the EZ-60, at least in China, though it will wear a different badge in other markets. Mazda is hoping this one lands better than the underwhelming MX-30.

You might recall we recently reported that the European version of this electric SUV might end up being called the CX-6e. That tracks, because Mazda just pulled a similar move with the Chinese-market EZ-6 sedan, a car co-developed with its Chinese partner Changan, that’s being rebranded as the 6e in Europe. Since it’s built in China, it won’t be sold in North America.

More: Everything We Know About The Mazda CX-6e Electric SUV

Mazda released a short teaser to hype the EZ-60. The video shows the SUV’s silhouette rendered in digital wind tunnel graphics. In short, this crossover looks identical in profile to the Arata concept from the 2024 Beijing Auto Show. That car was aimed at the Chinese market and more specifically, the Tesla Model Y. Mazda called its design theme “soulful + futuristic x modern.”

In its post about the teaser video, Mazda stated, “Control the wind to shape the invisible, drive the electricity to the future.” No doubt, any EV benefits from good aerodynamic design and minimal drag. Clearly, Mazda is emphasizing that with the EZ-60.

A closer look at the teaser shows a long, teardrop-style rear section that should help cut through the air more efficiently. It’s noticeably more stretched out than current Mazda SUVs like the CX-50, CX-70, or CX-90. Inside, the EZ-60 will likely borrow heavily from the EZ-6 sedan’s cabin layout, which could mean a clean, minimalist setup with a few upscale touches to give it some premium feel.

Shared DNA with Deepal

At this point, Mazda hasn’t released drivetrain specs, but we have a decent idea of what to expect when details do land. Like the EZ-6 / 6e sedan, the EZ-60 will ride on Changan’s EPA1 platform, the same architecture underpinning the Deepal (a.k.a. Shenlan) SL03 sedan and the S7 SUV. That likely means the EZ-60 will share more than just a few bolts with the Deepal S7. Expect similar powertrain options and tech, including both all-electric and range-extender variants.

Related: New Mazda EZ-6 Is China’s Electric Mazda6 Sedan

Assuming it follows the EZ-6 / 6e’s formula, the EZ-60 / CX-6e may come in a standard E-Skyactiv EV setup with 254 horsepower and a 68.8 kWh battery, good for an estimated 300 miles (480 km) of range. There could also be a long-range version offering 241 hp and an 80 kWh battery, stretching the range to about 342 miles (550 km). For buyers not ready to go full electric, a range-extender version is also likely, using a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired with a smaller battery pack to provide backup power when needed.

That’s the general roadmap for now. As soon as Mazda reveals more concrete details, we’ll keep you posted.

Mazda’s future lineup is shaping up to be exciting, with a new generation of the popular CX-5 and a hybrid rotary-powered sports car in the works. But don’t get too attached to some of its current models, as several are being sent off to the great scrapyard of automotive history, with production scheduled to end before 2025 wraps up.

More: Mazda Slashes $3.3B From EV Plans, Confirms Hybrid SkyActiv-Z Engine For New CX-5

The cars on the chopping block include the Mazda2 supermini, the closely related CX-3 subcompact SUV, the Mazda6 sedan, and the fully electric MX-30 crossover.

The MX-30: A Quick Disappearance

First up is the MX-30, Mazda’s first-ever production electric vehicle, as reported by Creative Trend. It’s not exactly going out with a bang. Set to end production in March 2025, the battery-electric MX-30 never quite found its footing in the market. With a steep price tag and a range that barely made it past the corner store, it struggled to attract attention. And despite being relatively new—just five years old—the car won’t even get a mid-cycle update, let alone a second generation.

However, the rotary range-extender version of the MX-30, the e-SkyActiv R-EV, will live on for the time being, so don’t worry, rotary fans, there’s still a sliver of hope for you. But Mazda’s first attempt at an electric vehicle might be best remembered as an experiment that went a little too far off the rails.

Mazda2: The End of an Era (Maybe)

Next up is the aging Mazda2, which is reportedly nearing its end. The current generation of this small hatchback debuted in 2014 and received facelifts in 2019 and 2023. Its most recent update came in 2024, when it got a new infotainment system for the Japanese market. However, those updates don’t seem to be enough to keep it going, as Mazda is reportedly planning to phase it out before the end of 2025.

More: Mazda Kills 2 Supermini After 11 Years In The UK

Sadly, there’s no word on a direct successor to Mazda’s most affordable model in Japan. The only clue is a trademark filing for the Mazda2e name, which might be used for a future entry-level electric vehicle.

It’s possible that Mazda will step away from the supermini segment for a few years, pushing buyers toward the upcoming small crossover (more on that later). However, European customers can still grab the Mazda2 Hybrid, which is essentially a rebadged version of the Toyota Yaris.

The CX-3: The SUV That Could Have Been

The Mazda CX-3, the subcompact SUV that’s been soldiering on mostly unchanged since 2014, will also meet its end in September 2025. Despite a facelift in 2018 and a handful of other tweaks over the years, the CX-3 has struggled to maintain relevance in an evolving market. It’s already been discontinued in North America and Europe, but it remains available in Japan and select Asian markets.

Luckily for Mazda fans, a successor of the CX-3 appears to be under development. The model has appeared in official teaser sketches earlier this year, revealing a compact footprint and fresh styling with a CX-5-inspired nose and a coupe-SUV stance. We also know that the new generation of the small SUV will be manufactured in Thailand, although it is not clear when it will debut and whether it will be available in Europe or Japan.

Mazda6: The Sedan That Was Just a Little Too Late

Lastly, we have the Mazda6 sedan, a long-time staple in Mazda’s lineup that is also ready to exit stage left. The current generation, introduced in 2012, has seen a couple of facelifts over the years but never managed to gain the traction it needed to keep up with shifting market trends. The Mazda6 said its goodbyes to North America in 2021, bid farewell to the UK in 2023, and was axed from Japan in 2024. Now, it’s also been dropped from the Australian market for failing to meet certain regulations.

More: Mazda6 Axed From Australia, One Of The Few Places It Was Still Available

But don’t mourn the Mazda6 just yet. While Mazda has shelved plans for a new internal combustion engine sedan, the fully electric 6e will serve as an indirect successor of the 6 in Europe and the UK. This Changan-based model is already available in China as the Mazda EZ-6, offering both range-extender and full EV powertrains.

Mazda has introduced its new “Lean Asset Strategy,” aimed at enhancing the flexibility of its electrification plans, improving production efficiency, and cutting R&D costs through strategic partnerships. The Japanese automaker has also scaled back its planned investment in EVs, while unveiling the new SkyActiv-Z engine, which is set to debut by the end of 2027 in a hybrid configuration under the hood of the next-gen CX-5.

The company has dubbed the period leading up to 2030 as the “dawn of electrification,” and to navigate this, Mazda is sticking with its “Multi-Solution” approach. This means that, depending on customer demand, the brand will continue to offer a mix of internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid, and battery electric vehicle (BEV) models

More: Mazda Sketches Hint At New Subcompact SUV

The automaker has cut its planned investment in electrification from ¥2 trillion ($13.3 billion) to ¥1.5 trillion ($10 billion), a move that’s made possible by its ongoing partnerships with companies like China’s Changan, Toyota, Denso, and BluE Nexus.

Furthermore, by manufacturing EV and ICE models on the same production line, the investment can be reduced by 85% compared to building a new BEV-dedicated factory. These flexible production lines will utilize automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), AI tech, and Factory Over-The-Air updates, improving the efficiency of the entire supply chain.

In-House Developed EV

In addition to the Mazda6e sedan and the forthcoming electric SUV (likely to be named the CX-6e), products stemming from its collaboration with Changan, Mazda is also working on another EV set to arrive in 2027. This new, currently unnamed model will be built on Mazda’s own platform, which has been designed to accommodate various battery types and vehicle configurations.

More: Everything We Know About The 2026 Mazda CX-6e

Mazda has claimed that through its partnerships, it has slashed EV R&D costs by 40%, while halving the amount of time spent on development. The new model will be manufactured in Japan and will feature batteries sourced from Panasonic Energy Corporation. Expect it to roll out globally, likely across markets in Japan, Europe, and North America.

New Engine Family

Mazda is placing significant emphasis on its upcoming SkyActiv-Z powertrain. The first vehicle to feature this new engine will be the next-generation CX-5, where it will be paired with an in-house developed hybrid system. While the SUV is expected to debut later this year, the version with the electrified SkyActiv-Z will arrive by the end of 2027.

According to Mazda, the new engine is “close to the ultimate combustion” delivering high fuel efficiency and performance. Furthermore, the SkyActiv-Z is compliant with strict emission regulations such as Euro 7 (Europe), LEV4, and Tier 4 (US), securing its future in the Mazda lineup.

More: Mazda Iconic SP Marching Towards Production Says CEO

This new engine family will extend beyond the four-cylinder variant, with plans to use SkyActiv-Z technology in inline-six engines for larger models. Additionally, it will play a role in reducing emissions for the brand’s upcoming rotary engine. The new powertrain lineup will allow Mazda to consolidate its engine offerings, reducing the total number of units in use by more than half.

Mazda CEO, Masahiro Moro, stated: “As the automotive industry is going through a once-in-a-century seismic shift, Mazda keeps evolving by updating our “joy of driving” for the next generation of vehicles. “All of us at Mazda are committed to striking the right balance of efficient business management and development of sustainable technology to deliver unique value regardless of business scale.”

Mazda