Will Mazda's next BT-50 be more than a re-badged D-MAX?

While Mazda’s current BT-50 is a re-clothed Ford Ranger, the next will be an Isuzu D-MAX in a different outfit – but just how different is the question.

Takashi Kikuchi, president of Isuzu Motor Corporation Thailand, has confirmed the pair’s development is being wholly overseen by his company.

“We will supply a complete product to Mazda, in a different configuration. But the actual development has not been finished yet,” he said.

Speaking at the local MY17 Isuzu MU-X launch last week, Kikuchi said “it’s up to the engineering costs" to decide the unique elements in Mazda’s product.

"We have to negotiate with Mazda on how much differentiation their product will have.”

Kikuchi confirmed that Mazda will not be taking up an SUV product based on the MU-X, which is effectively a wagon version of the D-MAX ute.

“Mazda is only interested in a pick-up truck. Because they have their own SUV, we have agreed to supply only a pick-up model to Mazda,” he said.

Isuzu announced its tie-up with Mazda last year, but Mazda remains tight-lipped about its new ute, which sources suggest will arrive locally by 2020. Mazda Australia spokeswoman Karla Leech said “we’ve partnered with Isuzu with our next-generation ute, and that’s all we’re willing to disclose publicly at this stage”

Ute platform sharing hasn’t been an overwhelming success for Mazda to date: the BT-50 has not sold in as nearly as many numbers as the Blue Oval brand’s ute.

In the three months to the end of March, for 4x2 and 4x4 variants combined, Mazda has sold 3531 BT-50s while Ford has sold 9398 Rangers.