A classic but no cornering heroics this time
◆ Mazda is keeping its options open while navigating the demand for electric cars, writes Frederic Manby
C ar makers and dealers are navigating the rules and problems of HM Government’s demand for electric cars and reducing the average CO2 emissions of the rest.
The percentage of electric cars they must sell is rising every year. This year it is 22 per cent. By 2030 it will by 80 per cent, on the way to 100 per cent by 2035. Failure means fines, but we can’t be forced to buy them.
A weakening enthusiasm from private buyers for electric cars is seeing price drops in both cash and hire purchase.
Recently Kia, a market leader, reduced interest rates. Honda has taken a similar step plus a £3,000 “contribution” for its e:ny1 before deliveries have even started. Vauxhall has reduced the entry price for its best-selling Mokka by £7,115 to £29,495.
Mazda has a raft of incentives on its lone EV, the short-range MX-30, including zero per cent finance with a £6,000 deposit contribution, a free home charger and a £3,000 lower entry point at £27,995. It has also offered £6,000 towards the rotary-engined MX-30 R-EV plug-in hybrid version, clearly not finding enough buyers either.
Laura Brailey, its UK sales director admits demand from the general public for electric cars is “challenging” and that while the CX-5 suv is its best seller (6,500 last year) its supply will be restricted this year to balance Mazda’s overall emissions rating.
The pretty MX-30 has a short battery range more suited to daily trips than driving from Ayr to Aberdeen. You could regard it as a useful second car (funds allowing) but it is perfect if the battery range fits your motoring.
From time to time Mazda visits the regions, giving the media a chance to see what’s new. Their UK range goes from £18,615 for the 74 bhp five-door Mazda 2 runabout to £53,055 for a 250 bhp CX-60 PHEV suv with a marvellously torquey 3.3 litre straight-six diesel engine.
The recent addition of several diesel models in the Mazda roster supports its claim to give customers what they need.
It means restricting and manipulating the supply of different models while maintaining profits and CO2 targets. You may want a big SUV but find that supplies are being limited in favour of electric cars and models with a greener Eco-print.
The loss of small, affordable but not very profitable models in the market includes Fiesta, Micra and Kia Rio among the 28 per cent of the market that has gone. Mazda’s still secret family of
electric cars is some years away, with a “big push” coming in 2028. This year it expects nearly a third of its UK sales to be the low CO2 Mazda2 and Mazda2 Hybrids.
We tried Mazda’s oldest model, the MX-5 convertible, much changed since its arrival 35 years ago, and the Mazda 2, which dates from 2002 and has had several major changes and updates. Joining them was the Mazda2 Hybrid, which is based on Toyota’s Yaris and is made by Toyota in northern France. Other Mazdas sold in the UK come from Japan, where it has been making vehicles since 1931.
The Mazda2 is one of those small cars which used to be much cheaper and are now being snuffed out, leaving space for this cute and handy Mazda. It is a hanger-on, with obsolescence being forced upon it by the pressures mentioned. We took the Homura Aka with an 89bhp tune of the 1496cc engine and six manual gears for £21,365. Rated at 60mpg and 107g/km, with light handling, nippy urban acceleration and at 160 inches long, it will suit many of us. The cheapest one with automatic gears is £21,890.
The self-charging hybrid Mazda2 has a 1490cc Toyota petrol engine boosted with electric power through an automatic gearbox. The ebullient styling makes it look bigger then the less flashy 2 but it is a similar size, slightly heavier, rated at 70.6mpg and 92 g of CO2. For spring it has a different front to the Yaris. It also gets the latest Yaris updated interiors and technology. The ride is softer than the Mazda2, but it feels no quicker and pricing favours the older model, which with after its latest update looks nicer.
Prices between the two 2s do not overlap. The most expensive Mazda2 is £23,570. The cheapest Hybrid is £24,130.
The MX-5 was inspired by the MGB and Lotus Elan. This renaissance of the front-engined, rear-wheel-drive soft top became the world’s best-selling sports car. It revived memories and the joy of driving a light, chuckable, uncomplicated and affordable convertible. Those charms remain in the latest MX-5, from £28,000 with a 130bhp 1496cc petrol engine with ratings of 45mpg and 142g. We tried the £30,000 Exclusive-line, painted a subtle zircon sand for another £570. Quickly you remember the involving feel of this classic. The tight interior brings everything close, the short gear lever, the handbrake, the pop-up cupholders, your passenger’s body and the contact between tyres and a very wet road hence no cornering heroics this time. Enough said….
Mazda’s still secret family of electric cars is some years away, with a ‘big push’ coming in 2028