Mazda CX-3 Japan Sales End as Mazda Discontinues Compact SUV

Mazda CX-3 Japan sales end after Mazda Motor Corporation announced that it will discontinue domestic sales of its CX-3 compact SUV once existing inventory is exhausted. Production of the model will conclude at the end of February, marking the end of the CX-3’s lifecycle in the Japanese market while overseas sales continue.

Mazda CX-3 production and sales strategy shift

Mazda has been manufacturing the CX-3 at its production facilities in Thailand and Mexico and will continue supplying international markets even as Japan exits the model. The CX-3, first introduced in 2015, struggled to gain sustained traction in Japan’s highly competitive compact SUV segment. According to data from the Japan Automobile Dealers Association, Mazda sold 7,574 units of the CX-3 in 2025, representing a year-over-year decline of 5.9%. Reflecting the slowdown, Mazda streamlined the lineup from December 2025, offering only one gasoline and one diesel variant.

Domestic production changes and overseas focus

Mazda transferred production of the CX-3 for the Japanese market from its Hofu Plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture to its Thailand facility in 2022. This move aligned the model more closely with global supply chains as domestic volumes softened.

Continued availability outside Japan

While Mazda CX-3 Japan sales end, the company will maintain the model in key overseas markets. The CX-3 will continue to be sold in regions including Australia, Mexico, Thailand, and Indonesia, where demand for compact SUVs remains comparatively stronger and aligned with Mazda’s regional portfolio strategy.