[devy]

> To me, it sounds like a "Don't pass"[1] bet on electric cars. Which they also are working with Toyota on electric cars so perhaps it is a fall back plan

The Toyota/Mazda collaboration is a pure compliance play, just like what Honda has done in California for years (read: Honda Fit EV.) The official announcement had a subtle hint:

  From 2019, start introducing electric vehicles and other electric drive
  technologies in regions that use a high ratio of clean energy for power
  generation or restrict certain vehicles to reduce air pollution

as The Verge clarified it in more details here[1], Mazda have to sell EV in regions where regulations are so tough that they can improve the efficiency to pass or in regions where ICE cars are/will be banned altogether.

Also the new Toyota/Mazda auto plant is not going to manufacture only EVs but also other ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) cars.

And yes, without their own EV or the resolve to electrify their model lineups, Mazda might not even survive after 2025 when they plan to use SKYACTIV-X on all of their cars.

For EV, the old saying is true: driving is believing.

[1]: https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/8/16099536/mazda-compression...

[varjag]

Took my car for service to a mixed Nissan/Mazda dealership here in Norway. All salespeople were busy working on Nissan side selling Leafs and electric vans..