Mazda China CEO expresses cautious views regarding the Chinese new energy vehicle market

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai November 28) - Despite increasing trends towards the development of the new energy vehicle industry in China, not all manufacturers have high aspirations for the new technology. In a statement on the issue, Mazda China CEO Noriaki Yamada said that he believes Mazda shouldn't invest a great deal of money to pursue the small Chinese market share that new energy vehicles currently possess, the Guangzhou Daily reported today.

"According to [Chinese] policies and guideline, new energy vehicle sales are expected to reach five million units by 2020," Mr. Yamada stated. "However, total passenger automobile sales in China are expected to be close to 200 million units by [that time]. In other words, the five million [new energy vehicle sales] only make up 2.5 percent of the market. Therefore, the new energy vehicle market will not demonstrate sudden growth in the next few years."

When asked about how this will affect Mazda, Mr. Yamada answered that it is currently not worth it for Mazda to pursue a market share of just 2.5 percent. "However," he is quick to add, "Mazda possesses several state-of-the-art technologies and is currently doing a lot of research and development work." "If there is any large growth in the new energy vehicle market, Mazda is ready to bring this technology over to China at any time," he stated.

Mr. Yamada also revealed that future Mazdas released in China will be equipped with Skyactiv Technology-powered engines. The engines will also be manufactured in the country in the future.