I'm so tired of legacy manufacturers crying and whining because they want to stick to gas cars and avoid EV; And then they create a complete garbage EV that no one wants for an exorbitant price. And when it doesn't sell, finally axe it, claiming "See? We told you no one wants EV's".

 

Jason, I think you're anthropomorphising Mazda a bit there.

I see things differently. Mazda isn't prepared. They tried to throw together an EV quickly, and now realize that this approach simply isn't going to work. Cancelling that vehicle is the right move. it's not good enough to be competitive, and it's too expensive. I'm surprised that they're still bothering to sell it in other markets.

Hopefully they have a plan for a follow-on vehicle. Otherwise, I'm not sure if they're going to survive this transition.

 

I see things differently. Mazda isn't prepared. They tried to throw together an EV quickly, and now realize that this approach simply isn't going to work. Cancelling that vehicle is the right move. it's not good enough to be competitive, and it's too expensive. I'm surprised that they're still bothering to sell it in other markets.

I'm a little bit more skeptical. I think the current EV market is divided between companies that want to take it seriously (whether they have the tools to do so or not) and those who, as you said, throw something together. But I think the ones who throw them together do so considering that they don't think it will sell, but just in case, they don't want to pass up some of that sweet $45k EV demographic, so they try anyway. When that doesn't work, they've confirmed what they thought in the first place, and they cancel it.

So yes, I don't think Mazda has either the heart or the tools to build EV's just yet. Along with Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Nissan (who has the tools but not the heart, and really should be ashamed since they had the Leaf first).

 

There is someone down the street who is a mazda fan. dyed in the wool, will never own anything else. Everytime they near halfway through the lease, the dealer phones up and says - you know ... we have some really nice new models on the floor ... and out goes the old and in comes the new.

I think that Mazda produced this car for those people - they want a BEV, but it has to be a Mazda. Turns out that only about 60 of those exist in North America.

 

Trying to compete with the original Leaf??

 

i've got a 2015 leaf and while it's okay for around town groceries, I can just squeeze out a trip to/from work in the high-water mark of summer. Winter is a no-go.