The results of the China Top 10 Car Body Awards have been released, and this year’s list highlights some of the country’s most innovative and advanced vehicle designs. Among the winners is the Mazda EZ-60, which not only secured a spot in the top 10 but also received the prestigious Best Material Award. Other models that made it into the top 10 include the Geely Galaxy M9, Zeekr 7X, Li i8, and Wuling Bingo S. Organized by the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre (CATARC) alongside leading automotive experts, the awards are widely recognized as one of the most authoritative honors in the field of vehicle body engineering in China.
Mazda stated that the EZ-60 was commended for its achievements in structural safety, material innovation, and production quality. The recognition follows a demanding test program conducted on September 12, known as the “Warrior’s Road” challenge. During these tests, the vehicle was subjected to extreme conditions: a 110 km/h offset frontal collision between two cars, a 35-meter vertical drop rollover, and a 30-minute submersion test after impact. According to Mazda, the EZ-60’s passenger cabin remained intact, its restraint systems and airbags deployed correctly, and the battery pack showed no signs of fire or short-circuiting throughout the trials.
One of the EZ-60’s standout features is its material composition. The SUV is constructed using a high percentage of advanced steel materials developed in partnership with Baosteel. In total, 86.5 percent of the body is made of high-strength steel, including 27.45 percent hot-formed steel with tensile strength reaching 2,000 MPa. To maximize crash protection, the body integrates four front impact beams, five-layer A-pillar reinforcements, and 2,000 MPa-rated side door beams. The model also comes equipped with nine airbags, including extended side curtain airbags and a central airbag designed to reduce the risk of secondary impacts in side collisions.
Durability has been a core focus during development. The EZ-60 employs GA zinc-iron alloy steel for enhanced corrosion resistance, while brake lines were tested under 3,000 hours of salt spray to ensure long-term reliability. The battery housing is also protected against corrosion for extended use. In addition, Mazda claims that the vehicle’s suspension and braking systems have undergone endurance testing equivalent to over a decade of usage. Cabin comfort has not been overlooked either—noise reduction is supported by 17.6 square meters of sound-absorbing materials, laminated acoustic glass, and over 100 sealing measures strategically placed across the body.
Production of the EZ-60 takes place at Mazda’s advanced Nanjing manufacturing plant, which is designed to handle multiple platforms. The facility can produce up to eight different models, covering both internal combustion and electric vehicles. More than 800 welding robots are employed, and the plant uses advanced torque monitoring and component traceability systems to maintain manufacturing precision.
This marks the second time Mazda has earned a spot in the China Top 10 Car Body awards, the first being with the Mazda3. With the EZ-60 now joining this prestigious list, anticipation is building ahead of its official market launch on September 26. Mazda has confirmed that vehicles are already being delivered to dealerships across China, preparing for what could be a strong reception from buyers.