New Ford/Mazda utes due late 2006...

Ford and Mazda have unveiled their new 'shared' light commercial. The one-tonne two and four-door utility platform will be uneviled this week in Thailand where the makers share manufacturing facilites.

Though the LCV will carry the Courier badge Down Under, in Thailand and other markets (including the USA) it will be marketed as a Ranger. Mazda will call their ute, available like the Courier in two and four-wheel drive versions, the BT-50

According to to Ford Australia, the local offering will differ from the Ranger in detail. That said, much of what you see pictured above (in both Ford and Mazda versions) will carry over.

Ford Australia's chief Tom Gorman described the light truck market as one of Australia's hottest market segments. Both Holden and Toyota contest it aggressively with their Rodeo and HiLux ranges. With Mitsubishi to debut an all-new Triton mid year and the Ford and Mazda one-tonners arriving later in 2006 -- Tom's observation may hold true for some time.

The new version will offer two new common rail four-cylinder diesel engines; a 2.5-litre version or a more powerful 3.0-litre version. These will deliver "significantly improved towing capacity," says Ford.

While we expect a revised version of the V6 petrol engine currently offered as well, the vehicle could potentially be offered in diesel only form.

Meantime Ford has also delivered a glimpse of what the top-of-the-range Courier might look like. Displayed at the recent Brisbane Motor Show. the 4-Trac concept brings to life what the maker has dubbed "Ford’s 'tough truck' DNA."

The 4-Trac was designed by Ford Asia Pacific Chief Designer, Paul Gibson, and originally revealed at the Bangkok Auto Show in December 2005. Gibson is in charge of interior and exterior design for all Ford vehicles in the Asia-Pacific region. His team works closely with Ford regional and national marketing specialists in 12 countries throughout the region.

In keeping with Ford “Tough Truck” image, the 4-Trac has a large vertical face and prominent Ford oval in the middle of the signature three-bar grille. LEDs – 172 in total – are used for high-intensity warning and rescue lamps on the roof, as well as for the vehicle’s headlamps, tail-lights and door mirrors.

At the rear, 4-Trac features a double-folding, power-assisted rear tray with three-step access. This 'tailgate within a tailgate' offers inner and outer sections operating together or independently.