Since the beginning of the year, the conditions for obtaining an environmental bonus have changed in France. The bonus now takes into account the carbon footprint. In other words, if the car in question is manufactured outside of Europe, there is almost no chance that it will be subsidized.

However, as there always has to be an exception to prove the rule, there is one car that avoids it all. The Japanese-made Mazda MX-30, however, was affected by the environmental bonus in France in 2024. Good news for an Asian SUV whose career can’t take off in Europe.

Optimized transport process

But that’s not the point. How can a Mazda MX-30 slip through the cracks when the MG4, BYD Dolphin and other Hyundai Ioniq 5s fall through the cracks when they are also made in Asia and also need to be transported to Europe to sell hence the high price tag. ecological score according to the rules established by the French government.
We will find the answer in Japan, where the car is manufactured. Like many manufacturers, Mazda has started a program to decarbonize its factoriesand, in particular, in Hiroshima, where the MX-30 is produced. So, could this be enough to convert the Japanese SUV into the French system?
No, Mazda went even further and tackled the problem of transportation as well. In fact, when a car leaves the assembly line, it must be transported by road from the factory to the loading port. This obviously increases the ecological rating, except for Mazda, which takes the boat directly when it leaves the factoryand cargo loading is optimized to transport as many vehicles as possible in one trip.

Can the bonus save the MX-30’s career in France?

The factory has an advantageous geographical location, right next to a major trade port, to facilitate the transportation of its vehicles to other regions. At the same time, and this is more specific to the car than to the transport process, it has a small 35.5kWh battery that further reduces carbon emissions.

Customers should still follow in France, because with about 200 km of autonomy on a single charge and price 34,250 euros (without a bonus), it will be difficult to face competitors at almost the same price and with double the autonomy.