Mazda MX-30 Axed From The US Market After Two Years

After just two years, the Mazda MX-30 has been axed from sale in the US market.

Japanese automaker Mazda has axed its sole EV offering, the MX-30, from the US market – a core market for the Japanese marque. The model was quietly removed from the brand’s US line-up this week after being on sale for two years.

Evidently, poor sales plus sub-par range and performance against contemporary rivals have likely forced its demise from said North American market. The former is evident through the fact that the Hiroshima-based marque shifted just 66 units of the MX-30 in North America this year, with 16 of which sold just last month – a start contrast over the 505 units the brand sold in the US prior to 2023.

Though Mazda's North American arm cites poor sales for axing the model, we reckon its inability to match comparable rivals like the Chevrolet Bolt may be another factor.

Packing a rather tiny 35.5 kWh battery pack to juice a sole front-mounted motor rated at 143 HP 271 NM, said setup was only good for roughly 100 miles (approx. 160 KM) in range. Indeed, said figures saw this Mazda fighter sit way off against comparable rivals in said market like the Chevrolet Bolt.

This also comes despite the MX-30 EV crossover’s posh list of kit and amenities on board. Key highlights here include heated front seats, a panoramic glass roof, a neat 8.8-inch infotainment system, and the presence of active driver assistance (ADAS) like the Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go.

Outside North America, sales of the Mazda MX-30 is set to continue. It was even updated recently featuring a range-extending Rotary motor.

Moreover, there was the MX-30’s stiffer US$34,110 (approx. RM 153,632)base price tag it commanded. By comparison, there was a indeed a sizeable gap between it and the rivalling Chevrolet Bolt, the latter tagged with a starting figure of US$26,500 (approx. RM 119,356) before on-road costs and US$7,500 (approx. RM33,780) tax credit factored in.

Globally, the model lives on, for now. In fact, it was even updated recently to feature a Mazda ‘Rotary’ (‘Wankel’) combustion motor serving purely as a range-extender. It remains uncertain for now if said version will be sold locally in Malaysia either. Presently, local brand custodians Bermaz offers the MX-30 since launch solely in High variant form priced from RM198,980.