Unique Australian update for Mazda BT-50

Mazda Australia has broken all the rules with a unique, locally-developed update for its BT-50 utility range.

In an unprecedented move within the burgeoning one-tonne pick-up marketplace, the Japanese car-maker’s local arm has designed, developed and manufactured a mid-life facelift for the Mazda BT-50.

The facelift is modest but delivers the oft-criticised pick-up a more conventionally bluff nose. The move to go it alone was precipitated by an effective development freeze on the Mazda BT-50.

Co-developed with its twin-under-the-skin, the Ford Ranger, the current-generation Mazda BT-50 will be replaced eventually by a new vehicle paired with the next-generation Isuzu D-MAX.

With no design updates planned for the Mazda and limited options ex the shared Ford/Mazda manufacturing base in Thailand, Mazda Australia sought and gained permission from head office to go it alone with the update.

The project has been underway since mid-2016 and was supported by Mazda Motor Corporation’s outgoing head of the BT-50 program, Takasuke Kobayashi.

The update comprises a new grille, bumper and lower front valance, plus extra standard equipment including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It was designed by a Mazda Australia team in conjunction with Tier One component supplier, Brisbane-based family-owned parts manufacturer EGR.

EGR provided engineering, development and manufacturing support for the initiative. The company currently supplies Mazda Australia (and other brands) with accessory parts including headlight protectors, bull-bars and canopies.

Its EGR Thailand subsidiary will manufacture the redesigned parts using materials and paints, etc sourced from the main BT-50 supplier network. The finished parts, however, will be shipped back to Australia for local fitment.

Australia is the Mazda BT-50’s largest market. Second is Thailand, although up to three BT-50s are sold locally for every Thai delivery.

Other Mazda BT-50 markets include South Africa, New Zealand, Columbia and a number of boutique opportunities including the Caribbean. The BT-50 is manufactured alongside the Ranger at AAT near Bangkok in Thailand.

At this stage, the update will be an Australian-only initiative.

“By us, for us,” Mazda Australia marketing boss Alastair Doak told motoring.com.au.

The new design utilises existing bumper mounting points as well as key parts such as headlight, fog lights and grille surrounds.

Overall length of the car is unchanged (although approach angle has been reduced by 0.4 degrees), as is crash performance and other key legislative parameters.

As part of the development program, Mazda Australia has certified the update via Mazda’s own internal durability and engineering programs.

Key Mazda BT-50 dealers provided feedback on the update. The fitting of the parts take place locally before BT-50s are shipped to dealers. All the parts and fitment will be covered under the vehicle’s normal factory warranty.

Two fascia specifications are included in the update: a low-spec version for the base-grade XT, and a high-feature variant for the BT-50 XTR and GT.

Doak would not confirm the program cost but agreed it was “into seven figures”.

Mazda Australia has a history of extra-curricular activity. In 2002 the company created a unique turbocharged MX-5 SP model.

The local developed, circa-1995 RX-7 SP rotary racer ‘homologation special’ achieved cult status with unmolested examples now changing hands for sky-high prices.

Doak says the changes are aimed “at keeping the BT-50 fresh”. He wouldn’t be drawn on the timeline for the next-generation Isuzu-paired generation.

“Since 2011 when the BT-50 was introduced we’ve had one update. You can make changes under the skin, but people take notice [of visual changes].

“This won’t be the only changes we’ll be making. Are we looking to make sure the BT-50 represents a good value-for-money offering [going forward]? Yes,” he said.

Doak said the business case for the locally designed, developed and engineered update was based on retaining current sales volumes.

Although the updated BT-50 will feature a standard reversing camera on all grades, Doak said Mazda had no plans to match the Ranger’s suite of electronic driver aids including adaptive radar cruise control, lane departure warning and auto high-beam systems.

“They’re not available to us [Mazda],” he said matter of factly.

The facelifted model goes on sale May 1.