Mazda BT-50 ute to become Isuzu D-Max twin

Itsme · 12-07-2016, 11:06 PM

http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/news/ind...zu-d-max-twin/

THE next-generation Mazda BT-50 will be based on the Isuzu D-Max, ending the Japanese brand’s long association with Ford.
Mazda and Isuzu announced this week “a basic agreement on next-generation pick-up truck collaboration”. The short press release featured barely any details but stated the collaboration would allow Isuzu to enhance its product competitiveness and Mazda to strengthen its product line-up and “maintain own-brand market coverage”.

The Mazda BT-50 has been twinned with the Ford Ranger for a decade. Its switch to Isuzu means the next model, not due for several years yet, is also set to be paired with the Holden Colorado that currently shares underpinnings with the D-Max.
This would become the latest three-way ute partnership, following the Nissan Navara that is a donor vehicle for the upcoming Renault Alaskan and Mercedes-Benz GLT.

The Mazda-Isuzu joint venture is a major extension of an existing collaboration that has seen a rebadged version of Isuzu’s Elf truck sold in Japan since 2004 as a Mazda Titan.
Isuzu and Mazda both currently build their utes separately in Thailand, where the next-generation models would be expected to continue production.

Mazda’s current BT-50 launched in 2011 and was last updated in 2015, though utes are renowned for having lifecycles stretching beyond the seven-year average of cars.
It is the last of the Mazda-Ford alliance that has seen multiple twins such as the Tribute/Escape SUVs and Mazda 3/Focus.

Crazy Dazz · 13-07-2016, 12:57 AM

It Kinda makes sense.
With Korean cars now decent quality as well as cheap, other SE Asian makes doing JVs, Euro brands also getting into JVS and cheap Asian production, and the future emergence of Chinese makers, Japanese brands are nolonger the world force they once were, and you have to wonder how long they can ALL survive, without mergers or model-sharing.

EBSXR6 · 13-07-2016, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

It Kinda makes sense.
With Korean cars now decent quality as well as cheap, other SE Asian makes doing JVs, Euro brands also getting into JVS and cheap Asian production, and the future emergence of Chinese makers, Japanese brands are nolonger the world force they once were, and you have to wonder how long they can ALL survive, without mergers or model-sharing.

Nissan have their hooks into Mitsubishi and Toyota has a shareholding in Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru).

EBSXR6 · 13-07-2016, 01:31 AM

From what I read on the launch of the latest BT50 and Ranger, the Ranger got some changes that the Mazda didnt. There was no reason given at the time though I assume Ford new the divorce was coming and decided not to offer the extras to Mazda.

There was speculation that the next Hilux was going to be the basis for the next BT50.

simon varley · 13-07-2016, 08:43 AM

oooh, I wonder what that means for Ranger production in Thailand. It shares the Mazda factory

**Fordman1** · 13-07-2016, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon varley

oooh, I wonder what that means for Ranger production in Thailand. It shares the Mazda factory

There's a second plant making Rangers in Thailand now - who knows what the plan will be in 4 years though ?

I think the Ranger is very profitable and will have a good development budget for the all new version.

csv8 · 13-07-2016, 10:01 AM

Mazda MUX could be interesting...

Vesper Martini · 13-07-2016, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Mazda MUX could be interesting...

Yes Ford left mazda in the lurch when the Everest came out.

or maybe Mazda are just not interested.

there are so many 4WD SUV's to choose from now IMO a flooded market here.

Nissan seem to have pulled out

Bossxr8 · 13-07-2016, 02:52 PM

Good move. Why let Mazda cash in on all Fords excellent work with the Ranger. Would free up production capacity as well, which should mean extra sales.

NGN 351 · 13-07-2016, 04:09 PM

Good I reckon...will shut Toyota up. If you add the sales of the Ranger and BT50 together the winner is clear.
Let Mazda and Isuzu fight over the same product and stop Mazda riding Fords success

**Fordman1** · 13-07-2016, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGN 351

Good I reckon...will shut Toyota up. If you add the sales of the Ranger and BT50 together the winner is clear.
Let Mazda and Isuzu fight over the same product and stop Mazda riding Fords success

This...

All the work has been done by Ford Australia. Mazda are leaching on that.

It's good to see they've been cut loose, and that they (Mazda) can go with the. Colorado Platform

FPV GTHO · 13-07-2016, 05:10 PM

Ford were leaching on Mazda not that long ago, so I wouldn't hold that against them.

Crazy Dazz · 13-07-2016, 05:16 PM

And who says Ford don't know how to spin?

Top_Ghia · 13-07-2016, 05:35 PM

There's a new Ranger on the way. I'm not sure if it's the same chassis but I know it's got a completely new engine.

**DFB FGXR6** · 13-07-2016, 05:41 PM

Will Ford's local product development team be given responsibility for the next generation Ranger considering the US intend introducinge Ranger to sit alongside the F-150?

Agile · 13-07-2016, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

This...

All the work has been done by Ford Australia. Mazda are leaching on that.

It's good to see they've been cut loose, and that they (Mazda) can go with the. Colorado Platform

Colarado platform is actually the Isuzu platform from my understanding. Please correct me if I am wrong. And having owned a M-UX for two years there is not much wrong with them. Actually they are a damn good work horse. And their dealership experience is ABSOLUTELY FAULTLESS.

Hoping my dealership experience will be the same when the Sprint is delivered. So far a long way from faultless.

sprintman1 · 13-07-2016, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agile

Colarado platform is actually the Isuzu platform from my understanding. Please correct me if I am wrong. And having owned a M-UX for two years there is not much wrong with them. Actually they are a damn good work horse. And their dealership experience is ABSOLUTELY FAULTLESS.

Hoping my dealership experience will be the same when the Sprint is delivered. So far a long way from faultless.

4JJ1-TC engine hard to beat. MU-X does need springs/shocks for road work.

Ben73 · 13-07-2016, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

There's a new Ranger on the way. I'm not sure if it's the same chassis but I know it's got a completely new engine.

TTDV8!!
Lol nah if it has an 8 in it, it will probably be a 2.8L

vztrt · 13-07-2016, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agile

Colarado platform is actually the Isuzu platform from my understanding. Please correct me if I am wrong. And having owned a M-UX for two years there is not much wrong with them. Actually they are a damn good work horse. And their dealership experience is ABSOLUTELY FAULTLESS.

Hoping my dealership experience will be the same when the Sprint is delivered. So far a long way from faultless.

They have split up (hence the Colorado isnt called the rodeo anymore). So the new platform between mazda and izuzu would make sence with the mazda/ford split.

naddis01 · 13-07-2016, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

There's a new Ranger on the way. I'm not sure if it's the same chassis but I know it's got a completely new engine.

Mated to a 10 speed auto.

Top_Ghia · 13-07-2016, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben73

TTDV8!!

Lol nah if it has an 8 in it, it will probably be a 2.8L

No. It has no 8 in it, in any form.

Vesper Martini · 14-07-2016, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

There's a new Ranger on the way. I'm not sure if it's the same chassis but I know it's got a completely new engine.

Tell us More!

malazn mafia · 14-07-2016, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

There's a new Ranger on the way. I'm not sure if it's the same chassis but I know it's got a completely new engine.

Hoping its a rebadged F150 in RHD made in the States, with a selection of real engines to choose from. How about a real truck, rather than the pretender Ranger.

Top_Ghia · 14-07-2016, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Tell us More!

No. I'll leave it to someone else. Not my place to spill the beans on new models and I don't think I'm allowed to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Hoping its a rebadged F150 in RHD made in the States, with a selection of real engines to choose from. How about a real truck, rather than the pretender Ranger.

You're going to be disappointed, very disappointed.

**Peuty** · 14-07-2016, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Hoping its a rebadged F150 in RHD made in the States, with a selection of real engines to choose from. How about a real truck, rather than the pretender Ranger.

What does an F150 do that an Ranger can't?

Pepscobra · 14-07-2016, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

This...

All the work has been done by Ford Australia. Mazda are leaching on that.

It's good to see they've been cut loose, and that they (Mazda) can go with the. Colorado Platform

But that now means less numbers which may mean less development investment from Ford?
Remember, the Ford Ranger is only really sold in Australia and SE Asia. I don't know what the total numbers are that are made globally, but can't be that much?
Having the Ranger/BT-50 Twins meant that development dollars went further.
Ranger is on it's own now.

Pepscobra · 14-07-2016, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

What does an F150 do that an Ranger can't?

And the Ranger is the right size.
F150 way too big for us tradies/weekend hackers in Oz.

Mr Hardware · 14-07-2016, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

What does an F150 do that an Ranger can't?

Use lots of fuel and take up two car park spots

Vesper Martini · 14-07-2016, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

And the Ranger is the right size.
F150 way too big for us tradies/weekend hackers in Oz.

Agreed. There are 2 Rangers in our work car park. at 6M long they look big enough compared to the other cars, let alone what an F150 would look like.

Bossxr8 · 14-07-2016, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

But that now means less numbers which may mean less development investment from Ford?
Remember, the Ford Ranger is only really sold in Australia and SE Asia. I don't know what the total numbers are that are made globally, but can't be that much?
Having the Ranger/BT-50 Twins meant that development dollars went further.
Ranger is on it's own now.

Sold in over 180 countries, and Mazda versions would only make up a small faction of sales. So no loss.