Wang Xiaoling at the Helm: Changan Mazda Accelerates Electrification

[Company Update] Wang Xiaoling, Executive Vice President of Changan Mazda, has set a target for new energy vehicles (NEVs) to account for 70% of total sales by 2026, stating that Changan Mazda will become the first joint-venture automaker with NEVs as its core business.

Core Strategy: The Most Aggressive Electrification Roadmap Among Joint Ventures

Five months into her new role, Wang Xiaoling publicly outlined the company’s strategy for the first time: NEV sales already reached 38% in 2025, climbed further to 47% in Q1 2026, and are targeting 70% for the full year. She emphasized, “Still Mazda—and even more Mazda,” underscoring the integration of Mazda’s signature “Jinba Ittai” driving dynamics with electrification.

Strategic Foundation: Dual Support from Brand Heritage and Market Performance

As Changan Mazda’s first Chief Marketing Officer and the first female Chinese head of the joint venture, Wang Xiaoling leverages her multidisciplinary expertise in brand management, overseas operations, and product planning to drive transformation grounded in data rather than slogans. Total sales in Q1 2026 rose 27.2% year-over-year, demonstrating early success of the electrification strategy.

Industry Impact: Forcing Joint Ventures to Rethink Their Electrification Timelines

Changan Mazda’s aggressive approach could disrupt the traditionally slow pace of electrification among joint-venture brands, offering the industry a new paradigm that balances brand legacy with breakthroughs in electrification.