Mazda 6e not a reskinned Chinese car, says exec

Mazda’s first Chinese-built vehicle bound for Australia – the upcoming Mazda 6e electric sedan – has sparked questions over whether the Japanese brand is merely rebadging an existing Chinese car. Mazda Australia’s leadership insists the 6e is very much its own product.

Arriving in Australia in the second quarter of 2026, the Mazda 6e will be a sub-$55,000 electric sedan aimed squarely at rivals such as the Tesla Model 3. It shares its underpinnings, powertrain and structural elements with the Chinese-market Deepal L07 – a connection that’s prompted questions around badge engineering.

The practice of sharing vehicles between brands isn’t new. The Toyota Lexcen was a rebadged Holden Commodore, while today’s Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok share much of their DNA. But Mazda Australia’s executives are pushing back hard against the idea that the 6e is a simple re-skin.

Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi told carsales at the Mazda 6e’s local reveal in Melbourne that its first mainstream EV was “more than just a re-skinned Deepal.”

“The design was totally independent, that took the lead from Mazda designers, so it's not designed by someone else.

“And the work, the effort that's been going on over the last two odd years with our European R&D team on what they want to change or re-tune [proves] it's not a re-badge,” he insisted.

The 6e marks a significant shift for Mazda – not only as the brand’s first mainstream EV, but also its first Chinese-manufactured vehicle for the Australian market. In China, the related model is sold as both the Deepal L07 and Mazda EZ-6.

When pressed about whether the Mazda 6e presented a risk for the brand, which is known for Japanese-quality products, Bhindi stated “No”.

“Let's not forget, it's coming out of a partnership of 20 years. It will be supported with all the strength of a Mazda brand that customers have enjoyed from a local and a global point of view.”

Bhindi explained that Mazda’s integration with its Chinese partner Changan goes well beyond a typical supply agreement, with Mazda engineers embedded in Chinese operations.

“Behind the scenes, there's a lot of integration and there's a lot of exchange of the Mazda way of doing things,” he said, adding that his own boss previously led Mazda’s China operations while living there.

While Mazda isn’t actively promoting the new 6e’s Chinese origins, Bhindi said consumer attitudes towards Chinese-built products have evolved significantly.

“I don't think it's an issue,” he said.

“When you think about it, in Australia, currently the sales of cars out of China, regardless of the brand, has reached about 20 odd per cent. It's a big number and it’s not just cars. A lot of consumer goods, a lot of things that Australians buy comes out of factories in China.

“I see people using iPhones. If you look at the back, it would say made in China. It has got a partnership with a brand that they recognise.”

Mazda Australia sales and marketing director Jarrod Gieschen described the partnership as a strategic strength rather than a compromise.

“We get the benefit of the Chinese cost base, along with the benefits of [buying a] Mazda as well, with the design, the engineering, the dealer network, the longevity in this market.

“So it's a good combination for launching an EV,” he said.

The Mazda 6e is set to arrive in local showrooms in mid-2026, positioned as an affordable, mid-sized electric sedan with strong Mazda input and design leadership – and built under the brand’s long-standing partnership with Changan.

Whether buyers see it as a genuine Mazda or a rebadged Chinese product remains to be seen.

Mazda’s leadership team also confirmed to carsales that it’s keen to bring more Chinese-built cars to Australia, with the Mazda EZ-60 SUV at the top of the list. Unfortunately for Mazda, the SUV is not offered in right-hand drive at present so is very much in limbo.

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