At a critical juncture for joint-venture automakers' NEV transition, the Changan Mazda EZ-60 has achieved something remarkable: seven consecutive months as the best-selling joint-venture NEV mid-size SUV. While domestic brands dominate China's NEV market, the EZ-60 stands alone as the JV segment's sole viable contender. With a starting price of 139,900 RMB, 86.5% high-strength steel body, and the world's first 100-inch naked-eye 3D HUD, it is rewriting the competitive rules for JV NEV SUVs.
Sales Data: The Lone JV Survivor
In March 2026's SUV retail top 20, only one JV NEV model made the cut — the Changan [Mazda EZ-6tps://www.ex1000.com/en/brand/58) EZ-6](https://www.ex1000.com/en/compare/7692)0, which has now held the JV NEV mid-size SUV sales crown for 7 consecutive months. This is a rare achievement in a market where domestic brands have taken near-total control of the NEV segment.
Changan Mazda's NEV transformation is accelerating:
| Metric | 2025 | 2026 Q1 | 2026 Full-Year Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEV Sales Share | 38% | 47% | 70% |
| Overall Sales YoY Growth | — | 27.2% | — |
Executive Vice President Wang Xiaoling declared at the Beijing Auto Show: "This is not a slow turn — it's a passionate sprint!" At this pace, Changan Mazda is on track to become China's first joint-venture automaker with NEVs as its primary business.
Product Breakdown: Beautiful, Fun to Drive, Safe, Smart
The EZ-60's sustained leadership rests on its "Four Excellence" product philosophy.
Design and Driving Dynamics:
- Continues Mazda's "Kodo" design language, winning 7 top international design awards
- 9-duct aerodynamic architecture reduces drag and extends range by 41km
- Chassis jointly tuned by engineers across China, Japan, and Germany for an electric "Jinba Ittai" driving feel
Safety and Quality:
- 7-horizontal, 5-vertical cage structure with 86.5% high-strength steel
- Hot-formed steel accounts for 27.5%, with 2000MPa ultra-high-strength steel in critical areas
- 9 airbags standard (including rare far-side airbag for this segment)
- Battery system meets 2026's strictest national standards; "lifetime battery fire replacement guarantee"
Smart Technology:
- World's first 4nm automotive-grade cockpit chip, 1.6x the computing power of Snapdragon 8155
- World's first 100-inch naked-eye 3D HUD
- Dual AI models (Doubao + iFlytek Spark), voice response in just 39 milliseconds
Market Strategy: Streamlined SKUs, Focused Firepower
At the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, the EZ-60 "Horse Year Edition" launched with two core configurations:
| Variant | Price | CLTC Range |
|---|---|---|
| EREV 200 Horse Year Edition | 139,900 RMB | 1200km+ combined |
| BEV 600 Horse Year Edition | 145,900 RMB | 600km pure electric |
Notably, Changan Mazda streamlined its lineup from 10 SKUs down to 5 core variants, reducing decision fatigue for consumers. The Horse Year Edition adds exclusive purple interior, customizable parking assist, and 12 upgraded high-frequency apps.
Global Outlook: From China to the World Stage
The EZ-60 is not a China-only product. The overseas model CX-6e, based on the EZ-60, is scheduled for European launch in summer 2026, with Australia and New Zealand to follow. Previously, the Mazda 6e (based on EZ-6) has already been exported to 20+ countries and regions, securing 7,000+ orders in Europe within two months of launch.
Changan Mazda is pushing a "China R&D, JV manufacturing" model to bring high-quality Mazda NEVs to global markets. For international dealers and buyers, the EZ-60's globalization path offers an important case study in JV NEV export strategy. Track more international market developments at EX1000.COM.
