Mazda Plays Catch-Up As It Announces Plans for an Electric Car

Mazda won an early reputation for innovation when it introduced the rotary engine to U.S. Drivers way back in the 1970s. But since then, it's become a much more traditional automaker, churning out the usual range of small and midsized cars, the sporty MX-5 Miata and slapping its brand on minivans and SUVs made by other manufacturers.

Now, somewhat late to the party, Mazda says it plans to launch an electric vehicle based on its Mazda2 subcompact in the spring of 2012.

“Mazda Motor Corporation is independently developing an electric vehicle with plans to commence leasing in Japan in spring 2012," the Hiroshima-based firm said in a statement.

Mazda's not saying much about the car, other than claiming it will have a range of 124 miles on a full charge. A spokesman wouldn't reveal details about what kind of battery the car will use.

There's also no word on whether the battery-powered model will be sold outside Japan. Initially, it will be leased mainly to fleet and government customers in Japan, the company said.

Mazda's Japanese competitors are a lap or two ahead. Nissan is already selling the all-electric Leaf both in Japan and elsewhere. Mitsubishi and Subaru are selling electric cars in Japan and Honda and Toyota are saying they'll do so next year.

Mazda is still in the race when it comes to internal combustion engines, though. It recently introduced a fuel-efficient direct-injection engine and automatic transmission that will help it meet increasingly stringent mileage requirements.