Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based

Posted in Cars, International News, Mazda / By /

Mazda BT-50 Double Cab 1 crop

Mazda is saying that the next-gen BT-50 will be tougher, despite not yet having a clear direction of the future of its pick-up truck, Drive reports. The Mazda BT-50 received a minor facelift a couple of months ago. Now that it’s in its fifth year since it was first introduced, Mazda will need to sort out next-gen plans soon.

While a previous report speculated that the BT-50 might be based on the new Toyota Hilux, Yuji Nakamine, director of operations at Mazda remained tight-lipped, saying that it is in the process of “discussing its future pick-up strategy.” Currently, the BT-50 shares the same underpinnings as the T6 Ford Ranger, and both are produced at the same AutoAlliance plant in Rayong Thailand.

Notably, Nakamine also did not confirm as to whether it would continue to be based on the Ford Ranger. “We are not sure. At this moment, I cannot make a comment on this,” Nakamine said. That said, Mazda has affirmed that it will continue to have a pick-up truck under its range of products as confirmed by the director.

New Toyota Hilux (left) and T6 Ford Ranger facelift.

“We are not giving up on the pick-up truck, clearly. We have a very big market in Australia and this vehicle is very popular. So we are currently discussing the future pick-up strategy,” he said. Apart from Australia, the Mazda BT-50 is also said to be popular in New Zealand and some South-East Asian countries.

Nakamine has, however, confirmed that the brand will not have a truck-based SUV, as it will be focusing on its more popular urban SUVs. “Mazda will not do this type of model, as we will focus on the CX-3, CX-5 and CX-9, as well as other crossover models,” he stated.

In the meantime, Mazda Australia is trying very hard indeed to convince everyone that its current BT-50 truck is already a tough machine, as these videos show. What do you think of this?




Mazda BT-50 facelift

Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based

Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based

Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based


2016 Toyota Hilux
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
2015 reveal of Toyota HiLux (SR5 double cab pre-production model shown).
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
2015 reveal of Toyota HiLux (SR5 double cab pre-production model shown).

Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
2015 reveal of Toyota HiLux (SR5 double cab pre-production model shown).
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
2015 reveal of Toyota HiLux (SR5 double cab pre-production model shown).
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
2015 reveal of Toyota HiLux (SR5 double cab pre-production model shown).
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based

Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based


Ford Ranger facelift
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based

Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based

Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based
Next Mazda BT-50 to be tougher, may be Hilux-based

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Graham Chin

Having spent a number of years as a journalist for a local paper, a marketing executive for a popular German automotive brand and a copywriter, Graham, a true-blue Sarawakian, knew he had to take the leap back into the motoring scene - and so he did. To him, nothing's better than cruising for hours along a scenic route, in a car that's designed and built for that purpose.

 

Comments

  • Same L0rrrr on Oct 29, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    You won’t go wrong with sushi cars. With our Hilux, everyone will scare you.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
    Reply
    • Ford Built Tough on Oct 29, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      I will take my new facelift ranger crash you GOA body. See who will survive?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
      Reply
      • Same L0rrrr on Oct 30, 2015 at 2:07 pm

        Bring it on then. Make sure your ranger won’t break down at mid way. It is a Ford anyway.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
        Reply
    • john on Oct 29, 2015 at 2:06 pm

      Yah, They scared that your VSC-less Hailat skidded during rain will collect them as it veer off into the gaung. Next year only can find the skeleton

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
      Reply
  • sr on Oct 29, 2015 at 4:19 pm

    hilux is tough? lol. SR and before, maybe. vigo and later? not so

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    Reply
 

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