CX-3 to end in some key markets.

Mazda’s transition to crossovers might have happened later than most, but it has been very successful.

The Japanese company’s Kodo design language has translated excellently into the crossover vehicle configuration. And since 2014, its CX-3 has been the entry-point to Mazda crossover ownership.

With the CX-3 reaching middle age, Mazda finds itself in a challenging position, to manage the vehicle’s maturity. In its most significant demand markets, Europe and North America, the CX-3 doesn’t offer a hybrid engine option or the potential of full electrification.

As more compact crossover models are updated with hybridisation, or new models released with sophisticated electric drive architectures, the CX-3’s pure internal-combustion powertrains become problematic in Europe and North America.

Mazda Netherlands has admitted that European and American CX-3 sales will cease by the end of this year. And there are no immediate succession plans.

In terms of available products, the MX-30 is clearly being targeted as CX-3’s replacement in overseas markets. But where does this leave South African fans of the compact Mazda crossover? The CX-30 is sold here but it’s marketed as a more premium crossover and priced accordingly.

The end of CX-3 in Europe and North America will impact the scaling and volumes of global production into 2022. But there could be good news, too.

South African vehicles require greater fuel robustness and a slightly simpler Wifi enabled infotainment system. Or throttled functionality. These are both issues contingent on local fuel quality and telecoms infrastructure. Very much the opposite of European and North American markets.

With fewer developed markets to deliver CX-3 into next year, Mazda could find efficiencies in its build specification for markets such as South Africa. That could mean CX-3s with better option packages and fewer specification idiosyncrasies. In fact, Mazda South Africa confirmed that a more market-specific model would be landing here as early as January 2022.

Will there be a second-generation CX-3? Despite the loss of North American and European sales volumes, the rest of the world could provide adequate demand to support a second-generation CX-3.

An interesting conjecture around the powertrain specification of a possible second-generation CX-3, is that it might not be significantly hybridised.

The future of CX-3 could retain a range of naturally-aspirated engines, with a turbo option. Why? If it was going to be hybridised, Mazda would not be pulling it from the American and European markets, soon.

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