Mazda BT-50 (2020): Isuzu builds Mazda pickup

For decades, M azda and Ford join forces in pickup construction. The BT-50 and its predecessor, the B-series, were identical to the Ford Ranger except for their looks. Now Mazda has presented the new BT-50. And now it is also clear that the new Mazda BT-50 is based on the Isuzu D-Max. The Japanese commercial vehicle specialist Isuzu is particularly successful with trucks up to the medium weight class - and with the D-Max. The D-Max pickup is a bestseller in Asia.

Mazda cooperation with Isuzu

Mazda currently has the brand's only commercial vehicle, the BT-50 and its predecessor B2500 so far developed in cooperation with Ford manufactured, whereby the still current BT-50 generation keeps distance to the Ford Ranger through a strongly modified design developed by Mazda. While Mazda used to drive the technical development, the Ford Ranger presented in 2011 was developed by Ford Australia.

Isuzu

The Isuzu D-Max, in the picture the 2020 model, will be the basis for the Mazda pickup BT-50

in the future

Despite a slight facelift for the 2016 model year, Mazda has not made a major development step with the BT-50 since 2011. In addition, Ford gradually withdrew from Mazda, the Americans had reduced their company shares to below three percent by 2010 and sold the last Mazda shares in 2015.

New BT-50 with 190 hp diesel

With the new BT-50 presented now, it becomes clear that the two Isuzu and Mazda models are visually significantly different. TheThe entire front is different, and the dashboard, including the Mazda branded steering wheel, is independent. Mazda first presented the new pickup in Australia, an important market for pickups of this size. In line with the Australians' preference for big diesels, the Mazda BT-50 there with the revised three-liter diesel engine from Isuzu on the market, which delivers 190 hp and 450 Newtron meters of torque.

Mazda pickup back in Germany?

The Mazda BT-50 has not been offered in Germany since the introduction of the second generation in 2011. It is currently unlikely that this will change with the new BT-50. The new generation of the Isuzu D-Max platform dispenser, on the other hand, like the current model generation, will find its way to Germany. The most interesting thing here is which machine the D-Max will use in Europe, currently the only variant is a 1.9-liter turbo diesel.