Mazda CX-8, MX-30 axed in Australia

Mazda Australia has confirmed the CX-8 large SUV and MX-30 small SUV – including the all-electric model – will be discontinued.

Production of the CX-8 and MX-30 will end in December 2023, with stock to remain available “throughout Q1 of 2024".

Mazda Australia said the decision “forms part of Mazda Corporation’s strategy to welcome a range of new electrified models between now and 2025 – including hybrid electric vehicles, PHEVs and BEVs".

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“By 2030, one hundred per cent of Mazda products will be electrified and pure-electric vehicles will account for at least 25 per cent of the line-up,” said the brand.

The six- or seven-seat CX-8 – launched in 2018 with more than 25,000 total sales in Australia – will be replaced by the all-new CX-80, an enlarged three-row version of the CX-60 likely to have a higher price tag.

While the current CX-8 starts from $42,660 before on-road costs, the five-seat CX-60 – with inline-six and plug-in hybrid powertrains – starts from $59,800 plus on-roads, with the CX-80 likely to launch from around $65,000 before on-road costs in Australia.

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The CX-8 line-up tops out at $72,010 before on-road costs for the Asaki LE diesel AWD.

Mazda forecasted 40 per cent of buyers would opt for the more affordable CX-8 Touring, followed by 30 per cent for the base Sport in 2023 – leaving most buyers with no affordable Mazda seven-seater option when CX-8 stock is depleted.

The deletion of the CX-8 follows the CX-9, which ended production this year to be replaced by the larger CX-90 with a much higher entry price.

“Renowned for its practicality, refinement and driving dynamics that belie its generous proportions, the Mazda CX-8 has played a pivotal part in our market growth since its launch,” said Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi.

“As we move into the next phase of the Mazda brand’s evolution – with electrification at the heart of our focus – we will ensure our valued customers continue to be well-furnished with a suite of exciting models to join us on this journey.

“Fortunately, for drivers who want to enjoy everything the CX-8 has to offer in the meantime, stock is plentiful and readily available across our dealer network right now.”

“As we look to the future, our model range will advance once more with a line-up of advanced powertrains and products for our market – including the First-Ever Mazda CX-80 – and we look forward to sharing more details next year,” said Mazda Australia marketing boss Alastair Doak.

Following its discontinuation in the United States in mid-2023, Mazda Australia has now confirmed the MX-30 will be axed locally – despite initially claiming it would continue to be offered here.

First launched in Australia in 2021, the Mazda MX-30 is available locally in all-electric or mild-hybrid form, with the majority of sales in favour of the latter variant, which is exclusively offered in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

“Notable as a stylish and sustainably focused alternative in the compact SUV segment, the MX-30 also became a trailblazer as the first fully electric vehicle available from the Mazda brand,” said Bhindi.

“This was previously unchartered territory, and the MX-30 has since served a hugely valuable purpose, both as a technology demonstrator and also to thoroughly prepare our dealer network with the knowledge and skills required for the next phase of our brand’s intensive evolution.”

VFACTS new-car sales data reveals around 2200 MX-30s have been sold in Australia since launch, compared to more than 36,000 examples of the related CX-30.