In a decisive step toward accelerating its electrification agenda, Mazda Motor Corporation has entered a strategic partnership with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL), the global leader in electric vehicle battery manufacturing. The collaboration, conducted through Mazda’s Chinese joint venture with Changan Automobile, Changan Mazda, will centre around the adoption of CATL’s state-of-the-art CIIC (Cell to Chassis Integrated Intelligent Chassis) platform.
Unveiled in December last year, CATL’s CIIC platform offers a revolutionary skateboard-style vehicle architecture. It employs a decoupled structure that separates the vehicle’s upper and lower bodies, allowing for modular sub-systems and standardised connection interfaces. This setup facilitates enhanced flexibility in both hardware and software integration, enabling automakers to streamline vehicle development while rapidly adapting to shifting market demands.
By merging CATL’s advanced chassis technology with Changan Mazda’s established automotive production capabilities, the joint venture aims to significantly reduce development lead times and introduce new energy vehicles (NEVs) that respond swiftly to evolving consumer and regulatory expectations.