Mazda teams up with Isuzu Ute for next-gen pick-up

The next generation Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max will be twins under the skin. That’s the likely outcome of a collaboration just announced in Japan.

The two companies have previously co-developed their BT-50 and D-Max utes in conjunction with Ford and General Motors respectively. Now the two will join forces to create the replacements for their high-profile light commercial vehicle products.

The wording of the very brief official announcement suggests that Isuzu will be the lead developer – as Ford was with Mazda’s current BT-50. The agreement is for all markets worldwide outside the USA.

“Mazda and Isuzu have reached a basic agreement on next-generation pick-up truck collaboration, allowing Isuzu to enhance its product competiveness and Mazda to strengthen its product line-up and maintain own-brand market coverage,” the joint release stated.

“Isuzu will produce next-generation pick-up trucks for Mazda, based on Isuzu’s pick-up truck model,” it stated.

Mazda and Isuzu have partnered in the commercial space before. For around 10 years Isuzu has produced Mazda-branded light trucks for the Japanese marketplace.

BT-50 is currently built in factories jointly developed with Ford. The Isuzu deal will see the next-gen BT-50 built in an Isuzu facility.

No timeline has been announced for the release of the new vehicle, however, farmmachinerysales.com.au believes Isuzu’s next-gen D-Max is not expected before mid-2018.