Mazda to Build New Crossover in Alabama

Hot on the heels of releasing its first electric vehicle (EV) model in the United States, Mazda is back on the microphone with more future product announcements. In an announcement, the automaker laid out its roadmap for several new crossover SUV models, some of which will come to the U.S. with available plug-in hybrid technology. The first model in the series will be the American-built CX-50, a core product for Mazda in the U.S.

Mazda will build the new CX-50 at its manufacturing plant in Huntsville, AL. The automaker shares the location with Toyota, who previously announced that it would make the new Corolla Cross at the facility. The total capacity for the Huntsville site is 300,000 vehicles annually, half of which is allocated to Mazda’s needs. Production for the CX-50 should start in January 2022. Beyond the American-built crossover, Mazda announced several other new SUVs, some of which we’ll see in North America.

Mazda’s new lineup will carry updated names with the familiar “CX” designation we’ve seen for a while now. The models will be called CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90. The automaker says it plans to release all the new nameplates in 2022 or 2023. Mazda notes that the CX-50 and CX-70 will add to its lineup in the U.S. but says that the CX-90 will replace the current 3-row CX-9. Crossovers that land on our shores will see turbocharged 6-cylinder gas engines and offer plug-in hybrid powertrains. Earlier this year, Mazda announced that i-Activ AWD (all-wheel drive) would be standard for all of its crossovers from 2022 on.

The push deeper into SUVs isn’t surprising for Mazda, whose growth plans involve utility vehicles as a means to accelerate profit growth. What we do not see on this list is another dedicated EV. Currently, the MX-30 is Mazda’s sole EV offering in the United States, and its city-only 100-mile range seriously limits its appeal. The automaker has outlined its goal for EV growth by 2030, which includes 25 percent of global sales in electric vehicles.

Mazda is the source of information for this article. It was accurate on October 7, 2021, but it may have changed since that date.