Mazda and Isuzu enter Pick-up Truck Agreement
 

Well this will be the end of any joint Ford/Mazda product, once the current Thailand made BT-50 has finished in about 3 years.

11th July 2016
HIROSHIMA and FUJISAWA Japan -
Mazda Motor Corporation (hereafter "Mazda") and Isuzu Motors Limited (hereafter "Isuzu") have reached a basic agreement on next-generation pick-up truck collaboration, allowing Isuzu to enhance its product competitiveness and Mazda to strengthen its product line-up and maintain own-brand market coverage.

Isuzu will produce next-generation pick-up trucks for Mazda, based on Isuzu's pick-up truck model.

Mazda and Isuzu have developed a collaborative relationship for more than 10 years, with Isuzu producing for Mazda trucks for the Japanese market. This agreement reinforces the continuous long-term relationship between Mazda and Isuzu.

Model Next-generation pick-up truck produced by Isuzu Producer Isuzu Motors Limited
Purchaser Mazda Motor Corporation
Sales area Worldwide except North America Start of sales To be determined

hopefully it looks better than the last BT-50. :p:
(not that it really matters since we won't be getting it here)

Agree mate,

The Ford Ranger sells here now @ 2 to 1 with BT-50 (both come out of same Thai plant), sales ratio was the other way around until Mazda updated with the big smile in this gen, tradies hate the look and sales have slowed.
The updated (facelift) is slightly better, MMC should have spent a little more cash and made it look like pickup/ute.
Both have Ford powertrain/suspension/platform.

The Ford Everest (SUV) here uses the BT-50/Ranger platform and made in Thai..

http://www.ford.com.au/suv/everest

I toured the Mazda plant in Hiroshima earlier this year. All of the heavy duty trucks and even the tour bus was made by Isuzu.

Some more history and details from Car and Driver

Isuzu to Supply Pickup to Mazda ? News ? Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog