Next Mazda BT-50 might be based on Toyota Hilux!

Kuala Lumpur: Following the partnership agreement signed between Toyota and Mazda in May 2015, now there are some new updates. The product and technology alliance might hold the key to a third-generation Mazda BT-50 by uniting some features of market-leading Toyota Hilux to the pick-up truck.

The initial agreement for the two vehicles suggested that Toyota will provide fuel cell and hybrid tech to Mazda, while Mazda will share its economical SkyActive petrol and diesel engine technologies in return. So this one-tonne pick-up truck deal could be part of the “long-term” collaboration that both carmakers have also agreed to.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda said, “As evidenced by its SkyActiv technologies and Kodo—Soul of Motion design language, Mazda has proven that it always thinks of what is coming next for vehicles and technology, while still managing to stay true to its basic car making roots. In this way, Mazda very much practices what Toyota holds dear: making ever-better cars.”

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Talking about the current generation Mazda BT-50, it is based on the Ford Ranger T6. Both of them have another similarity of having a common ground of their origin, which is AutoAlliance plant in Thailand.

At this point, Mazda needs to commence development of the next-generation model. A joint-venture is the most cost-effective option, Mazda lacks the scale to go it alone. Which means, Mazda either go for a renewed BT-50 with Ford, or an extension of its new BT-50 with Toyota. To this, Mazda managing executive officer Masahiro Moro politely answered: “We are working on a future program. It is very early days.”

He added, “At this stage, it is not my call to discontinue BT-50 as it is critical to Australia, New Zealand and some South-East Asian countries. But if we follow the current path, the BT-50 will get adequate updates.”

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The official did not share much on the new alliance either. “We don’t have a complete agenda yet. This alliance was formed with the clear articulation of working together to develop better cars,” Moro said.