Another step closer? 2025 Mazda 6e electric sedan and Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal rival confirmed for Thai market amid local production expansion, so what does that mean for Australia?

Mazda is continuing to tick off the number of right-hand drive markets where the electric 6e sedan will launch, despite the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal rival remaining unconfirmed locally.

According to CarNewsChina, the 6e sedan, a co-development between Changan Automotive and Mazda in China, will land in Thailand this year – a fellow right-hand drive market – amid a “Southeast Asia EV expansion”.

It follows news of the 6e launching in the UK – another right-hand drive market – in 2026.

The news accompanied an announcement by Mazda that it will invest 5 billion baht ($233 million) into its EV production facilities in Thailand "to support domestic sales and exports to Japan and other countries”.

With a target production of 100,000 units per year, it is very plausible we could see future Mazda EVs built in Thailand, given it is our second most common country of origin for vehicles imported to Australia.

That includes the bulk of our popular diesel ute segment, including the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Mazda BT-50, among others.

CarsGuide has contacted Mazda’s local operations for news on if and when we can expect the 6e to land in Australia, as well as what investments in Thailand’s manufacturing facilities means for Australia. An update to the story will follow with a response.

We already know it is a strong chance for Australia after Mazda’s local boss, Vinesh Bindhi, teased a successor to the discontinued Mazda 6 was on the way.

"As we bid a fond farewell to the Mazda6, its legacy will continue to live on as we move into the next phase of our future strategy,” Bhindi said.

It still remains officially unconfirmed for Australia.

Mazda is the third largest car brand behind Ford and Toyota, but it has no EVs currently on sale here and none officially confirmed for debut.

The 6e will launch in the UK, following its release in left-hand drive European markets this year, with two variants.

That includes a base model with a 68.8kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a claimed 482km of range, while the top-spec gets a larger 80kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt unit with a claimed 555km of range.

Both variants use a rear-mounted single electric motor that provides 180kW/320Nm.

In China, where the 6e is already on sale, a plug-in hybrid variant is offered with a claimed 200km of electric range and a total driving range of 1000km, according to the more lenient CLTC cycle. It remains unclear, though, whether this version will be available for export.