Car companies have been sharing development costs for years, so it’s hardly shocking to see them doing the same with pickups/utes. For one, we’ve just seen Ford and Volkswagen announce the co-development of the next-generation Ranger and Amarok, due for market launch in 2022. Isuzu and Mazda are also sharing costs on the next D-Max/BT-50...
Mazda has recalled BT-50 models sold between October 21, 2011 and June 21, 2016, over concerns about the door latch tabs. According to the company, a broken locating tab could prevent the door from closing or, if the door is closed, make it unlatch on the move. A total of 53,320 units are affected by the campaign – a VIN list is attached here...
Mazda has reported a loss of ¥2.2 billion ($27 million) for the fiscal second quarter ended September 30. Net income dropped 86 per cent to ¥3.8 billion ($47 million) during the the same period, with revenue holding steady at ¥856 billion ($10 billion). Worldwide retail sales fell by 3.0 per cent to 392,000 units, with losses recorded in North America, China and Japan...
Mazda Australia has issued a recall for 11 BT-50 utes sold at the end of April, over concerns vehicles could experience a loss of steering. The company reports that a "potential quality issue" with the welding of the lower intermediate steering shaft is the cause of the fault, which in turn could cause sudden, unexpected loss of steering...
A subtly new Aussie-made look to the 2018 Mazda BT-50 could be enough to help improve sales for the hard-working ute, and a couple of key new features and ownership savings won't hurt. That's what is on offer with the lightly refreshed 2018 BT-50, revealed today. Styling tweaks – billed as "major front-end design changes" – include a boxy new bumper design and big new horizontal bars through the grille...
Mazda Australia has teased the revised 2018 BT-50 ute in a single image this week, ahead of a market launch in May. We don't get a whole lot of clues as to what to expect visually, though the company says this will be the BT-50's "second and most comprehensive update since its launch in 2011"...
Approximately 20,000 Mazda BT-50 utes has been recalled over concerns grass and other debris could accumulate in the underbody, potentially posing a fire hazard. Owners are warned that driving over high grass - particularly dried-out grass - can cause the buildup of debris, and come into contact with the vehicle's exhaust system...
Mazda will continue to offer the Mazda BT-50 in its current form and shape beyond 2020 while its joint venture with Isuzu progresses. Speaking to the media at the 2017 Los Angeles motor show, Mazda Australia's managing director Vinesh Bhindi confirmed that there are no plans to alter the BT-50 or adopt any Ford Ranger-based changes until the next generation...
Mazda Australia has issued a recall for its BT-50 ute sold during 2015 and early-2016, over concerns manual examples could experience a loss of drive. The Japanese manufacturer says affected utes could be fitted with a gearshift cable retaining clip that isn't fully engaged, which could lead to the gearshift cables moving out of position and contacting the propeller shaft...
Mazda has issued a recall for 277 examples of its late-2016 to early-2017 BT-50 utes over concerns faulty initiators may cause the side airbags to not inflate in a collision. The Japanese manufacturer reports that an incorrect chemical mixture could cause the inflator to not initiate, meaning the airbag may not deploy in the event of a crash...
UPDATE: Mazda Australia has confirmed that 5117 vehicles in Australia are fitted with the more dangerous 'Alpha' airbags locally, with 3693 of these units already repaired (72.2 per cent). That leaves 1424 vehicles outstanding, though the local arm has confirmed with CarAdvice that these vehicles were already subject to the original Takata airbag recalls that were issued over the past two years...
