New Mazda CX-30 on the Horizon

There’s a new small SUV on the way from Mazda, with production set to begin in two years.

Japanese newspaper Chugoku Shimbun claims Mazda will begin manufacturing the small SUV in Thailand, in the same plant which currently makes the Mazda 2, Mazda 3, CX-3, and CX-30.

The outlet says the new model will be designed for export to Japan and Asia – with Australia likely to be a key market.

While details are thin, unconfirmed reports claim the model may be the next-generation CX-30 – with the SUV to be at the end of its lifecycle by that stage.

If true, it means production for both Australian and Japanese market CX-30s will switch to Thailand from their current origin of Hiroshima, Japan.

The influx of competition in the segment from Chinese brands is said to have forced the change.

The Japanese newspaper also suggests the small SUV “will be positioned as a combination of the CX-3 and CX-30,” thinning the range while bringing it into line with the company’s current nomenclature.

Mazda President and CEO Masahiro Moro confirmed during a recent address the company was developing a new compact SUV for Japan and Asia.

The recent introduction of several all-new medium and large SUVs to the Mazda range means the carmaker is likely now turning its attention to the other end of the line-up.