The Chang’an-Mazda joint venture will launch its own sub brand in 2013 to comply with the ‘wishes’ of the Chinese government. The first car of the new sub brand will be based on the old Mazda 3 that was made by the Chang’an-Mazda joint venture.
The Chinese government considers these sub brands as ‘Chinese-Chinese’ meaning that all IP will be Chinese. That is why Honda uses and old Fit for the Everus sub brand and Mazda this old 3. The name of the Chang’an-Mazda sub brand is yet unknown.