The Mazda BT-50 will be returning to European shores, with the launch of its Isuzu-based third-generation around 2018. The first-generation Mazda BT-50 was sold in the UK from 2006 until 2011, but the second-generation pictured here wasn’t sold in Europe.
Mazda has been producing pickup trucks for decades, entering the UK market in 1999 with the Mazda B-Series, which was also sold as the Ford Ranger. This was replaced by the Mazda BT-50 in 2006 which, again, was badged as a Ford Ranger.
In 2011, there was an alteration in the alliance and Ford Australia developed the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 for the first time, with the understanding that Mazda would withdraw the BT-50 from the European market.
Mazda teams up with Isuzu to develop new pickup
For the third-generation Mazda BT-50, the firm will be teaming up with fellow Japanese manufacturer Isuzu, and the new product will be based on the next-generation Isuzu D-Max. The company stated the new vehicle will be sold “worldwide except North America.”
A statement said “Mazda Motor Corporation and Isuzu Motors Limited have reached a basic agreement on next-generation pick up truck collaboration, allowing Isuzu to enhance its product competitiveness and Mazda to strengthen its product line-up and maintain own-brand market coverage.
“Isuzu will produce next-generation pick up trucks for Mazda, based on Isuzu’s pick-up truck model. Mazda and Isuzu have developed a collaborative relationship for more than ten years, with Isuzu producing Mazda trucks for the Japanese market. This agreement reinforces the continuous long-term relationship between Mazda and Isuzu.”
The statement from Mazda follows on from similar announcements from other global manufacturers, who are launching one-tonne pickups in Europe for the first time. Sales of pickup trucks have more than doubled in the past six years, and sales are expected to gather further momentum with the introduction of more comfortable and luxury models.
So far, Renault (see Renault Alaskan), Peugeot (see Peugeot pickup), Mercedes-Benz (see Mercedes-Benz GLT) and Fiat Professional (see Fiat Fullback) have revealed that they will enter the European pickup market.
For more information on the new generation of pickups, read our story rounding up all the new pickups coming soon.
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