Mazda MX-5 is set to remain in the line-up, says Mazda Europe CEO

The Mazda MX-5 is, by a considerable margin, one of the most iconic models in the Japanese brand’s line-up. Even so, the industry-wide push towards electrification has fuelled plenty of speculation about what lies ahead for it.

Speaking to Autocar on the fringes of the Brussels Motor Show, Mazda’s European chief executive has now offered a clear reassurance: the MX-5 is here to stay.

According to Martijn ten Brink, the MX-5 “will never die”, a statement that will undoubtedly please the brand’s enthusiasts. He added that the current generation - the ND introduced in 2015 - will continue to receive updates, and that there is no danger of the MX-5 disappearing from the Japanese manufacturer’s range.

What about the future of the Mazda MX-5?

While confirming that the Mazda MX-5 will remain in the catalogue, the European chief executive did not share many specifics about what comes next for the roadster.

Martijn ten Brink first posed the question: “How do we stay true to the concept that underpins the MX-5 as we adopt new technologies?”.

Although he acknowledged that Mazda has not yet settled on which solutions will be used for the next generation of the MX-5, he reiterated that the model will not “die”, saying: “I think it will exist forever and it will have to adapt to new realities. It’s a big challenge and at Mazda we love this model”.

It is worth remembering that rumours point to a new generation of the MX-5 arriving in 2024 with mild-hybrid technology and the “revolutionary” Skyactiv-X engine.

More recently, the Japanese marque unveiled the Vision Study prototype, which many believe already offers a glimpse of the next generation of Mazda’s iconic roadster.

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