The Mazda2 and Mazda CX-3 could be on the chopping block in Japan, according to a report, putting into question their futures in Australia after the two models delivered nearly a quarter of the brand’s domestic sales last year.
Japanese autoblog Creative 311 reported that Mazda has no plans to extend the lifecycle of its aging Mazda2 and CX-3 models in Japan, which debuted on the global market in their current generations in 2014 and 2016, respectively.
Cumulatively, the CX-3 and Mazda 2 sold 23,826 models in Australia last year, with the vast majority of those attributable to the CX-3, which was the best-selling light SUV in Australia to the Toyota Yaris Cross and Suzuki Jimny by a considerable margin.
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According to Creative 311, Mazda has trademarked the Mazda2e in Japan, suggesting that an electric successor to the current petrol version could be on the way.
Mazda has pledged to launch five new hybrid and electric cars globally over the next three years, including the Mazda6e, an electric successor to the Mazda6 sedan, which was discontinued in Japan in mid-April 2024 before Mazda Australia pulled the plug on it locally in January of this year.
An electrified concept version of a next-generation CX-3 was previously teased in a design sketch by Mazda during a meeting with Mazda President and CEO Masahiro Moro and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand, where the CX-3 is currently built.
Currently, the Mazda CX-3 exceeds Australia's New Vehicle Emissions Standards for passenger cars at 143g of carbon per 100km compared to the ascribed 2025 target of 141g/100km. The Mazda2 currently falls well under at 117g/100km, but is only just on par with next year's NVES target of 117g/100km. Any gram of carbon emissions an automaker exceeds over the limit can attract a $100 fine per vehicle, with fines set to commence in 2028.
Despite the Japanese report, Mazda Australia confirmed to CarsGuide that there are currently no plans to discontinue either models from its Australian line-up.
Both the CX-3 and Mazda2 scored minor updates last year, which has shored up their popularity into 2025. As of February, Mazda has sold 3117 CX-3s, an increase of 13.1 per cent on February last year. Meanwhile, the Mazda2 has sold 997 examples, an increase of 32.8 per cent compared to the same period last year.
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