Mazda's Tesla Model 3 rival? Next Mazda 6 to go electric but be built on Chinese EV platform: reports

Mazda could be about to shift from being seen as an electric car laggard to taking on one of the world’s most popular EV models.

Recent trademarks in China and Europe point to the possibility that a development teased late last year could be a next-gen, all-electric Mazda6 successor that could take on the likes of the Tesla Model 3.

Reported by Autohome and Autoguide, Mazda has trademarked the names ‘Mazda EZ-6’ and ‘EZ-60’ in China, and ‘Mazda 6e’ and the 6e logo in Europe, meaning the slowly disappearing mid-size sedan (and wagon, potentially!) could be returning as an electric car.

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The catch? Autohome expects the new model will be built under joint development with Changan in China, using its electrified platform for not only what could be the new Mazda 6 (internally codenamed J90A), but for three other models in the next few years.

Reports expect that the first of these will be unveiled this year at the Beijing Auto Show, and these few rumours alone would suggest that a China-only model or series of models is on the way.

However, news that Mazda has trademarked ‘Mazda 6e’ in Europe means that, if it’s not a purely security-focused move by the brand, there could be plans to take an electric Mazda 6 global.

The slowly disappearing mid-size sedan (and wagon, potentially!) could be returning as an electric car.

While brands often trademark words or names similar to those already used as a way to prevent rivals using them, the timing of the trademarks in both markets, as well as the supposed incoming new models from Mazda as discussed in internal briefings are promising.

An electric SUV is also expected to join the electric car - possibly under the ‘EZ-60’ name in China given the way the brand is naming models these days - and should be revealed as early as later this year too according to photos taken from inside the internal briefing.

The same slides also show two more models set for reveal in 2025, codenamed J90K and J90K-REEV, as well as notes for a new car and new SUV in 2026.