• and Changan Mazda will jointly build NEVs based on CATL's CIIC skateboard chassis.
  • CATL's skateboard chassis enables decoupling of the upper and lower bodies of a car, thereby accelerating the development of new models.
(A Changan Mazda EZ-6 sedan on display at the April 2025 Shanghai auto show. Image credit: CnEVPost)

Changan Mazda, the Chinese joint venture of Japanese carmaker Mazda, has entered into a partnership with power battery giant CATL (SHE: 300750) to accelerate its electrification transition.

The two companies recently signed a memorandum of understanding in Shanghai to create "smarter and more efficient" new energy vehicle (NEV) products based on CATL's CIIC (CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis) skateboard chassis, the battery maker announced today.

The partnership will provide a strong impetus to Changan Mazda's electrification strategy and a transformative example of efficient development for the industry, CATL said.

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CATL's skateboard chassis technology enables decoupling of the upper and lower bodies of a car and parallel development, thereby accelerating the development of new models.

Its modular design of sub-systems, standardized interfaces and software-hardware decoupling architecture design support rapid adaptation of multiple vehicle models.

This will help both partners to significantly shorten the vehicle development cycle and jointly respond flexibly to changes in market demand, CATL said.

CATL and Changan Mazda will continue to explore the application of the latest NEV technologies to drive its electrification transition, the battery maker said.

The CIIC is the regular version of CATL's skateboard chassis, and the battery maker launched a skateboard chassis called the Bedrock Chassis in December 2024, a flagship variant of the CIIC.

Mazda, like other Japanese automakers, has been slow to move in the Chinese EV market over the past few years. In the past few months, it seems that the Japanese carmaker has started to step up its bets.

Last October, Changan Mazda launched the EZ-6 sedan, offering battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) options.

Last month, Changan Mazda unveiled the EZ-60, its first new energy SUV (sport utility vehicle).

The Bedrock Chassis takes smart chassis safety to new heights and promises to accelerate the shift towards modular and personalized vehicle design.
Dec 24, 2024