Mazda Has Electric Vehicle Plans for the U.S.

Count Mazda among the global auto manufacturers increasingly shifting their focus to electric cars.

The Japanese automaker recently announced that it is bringing its MX-30 crossover sport utility vehicle stateside. The vehicle, Mazda’s first electric offering in the U.S., will be available as both a fully electric model and a series plug-in-hybrid, which will feature a rotary-engine extender.

The MX-30 is just the beginning of Mazda’s plans to electrify its fleet, President of North American Operations Jeff Guyton recently told The Detroit Bureau.

“By 2025 I don’t think we’re going to be selling much of anything that doesn’t have electrification onboard,” Guyton told the auto news outlet. “We certainly see the trends everybody else sees.”

The company first unveiled the MX-30 in 2019 at the Tokyo Auto Show. It clocks in at 124 miles per charge under European testing standards, but Mazda is reportedly looking to double that range by using the rotary extender. This small engine is designed to recharge electric batteries as needed. 

Mazda has been tinkering with rotary engine extenders since at least 2013, according to MotorTrend. 

Guyton also told The Detroit Bureau that the company is working on a joint project with Toyota to design a hybrid crossover SUV. The companies are opening a plant in Alabama to build the car later this year.

Car Defects and Your Legal Rights in California

While Mazda, Toyota and other major auto manufacturers are looking to an electric future, they are also still struggling to make vehicles that are safe in the present.

Last summer, for example, the company recalled some 24,000 CX-30 SUVs and Mazda3 vehicles over a brake problem that Mazda said could increase the risk of a crash. The company said certain mounting bolts could loosen over time, reducing brake performance.

The good news for California car owners is that the state’s lemon law offers some important rights and protections. The law requires car manufacturers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty and to buy back or replace vehicles the company cannot or will not fix.

The law also requires car manufacturers to pick up the bill for any legal fees that a person incurs enforcing his or her rights.

Consult a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you are a car owner or lessor stuck with a detective or malfunctioning vehicle, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help. A lawyer can ensure that you understand your rights and help you explore your options to make the manufacturer responsible for the defective vehicle.

At Bickel Sannipoli APC, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across California. We work tirelessly to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve and we have a strong track record of successful results.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.