Mazda injected some Kodo into Isuzu D-Max, debuts all-new 2020 Mazda BT-50

For the last nine years, the outgoing generation Mazda BT-50 has been based on a Ford Ranger, built at the same Auto Alliance Thailand (AAT) plant in Rayong. Now, Mazda has swapped partners, preferring to work with its fellow Japanese automaker Isuzu.

The all-new 2020 Mazda BT-50, which made its global debut online earlier today, will be built by Isuzu, based on the venerable Isuzu D-Max.

The all-new Mazda BT-50 will go on sale in Thailand in the later part of 2020, built by Isuzu alongside the D-Max.

Preliminary specifications suggests that the BT-50 will only be offered in one engine option – the Isuzu D-Max’s 3.0-litre Ddi BluePower common rail turbodiesel that makes 190 PS/450 Nm.

The super fuel efficient 1.9-litre Ddi BluePower (150 PS/350 Nm) is not mentioned, but could be offered at a later stage.

The front-end borrows a lot of styling cues from the Mazda CX-9, but the rear-end is still clearly Isuzu D-Max.

This time around, Mazda is a bit more rational and has dropped the outgoing model’s more expensive passenger car-like tail lamps that extends into the deck lid. Instead, it uses a more conventional truck-style tail lamps.

Inside, Mazda has given the BT-50 a new dashboard, but most of the knobs and buttons, including the steering wheel are still clearly Isuzu.

More details will be revealed when the Mazda BT-50 goes on sale in Thailand later this year, but you can expect most the specifications to mirror the Isuzu D-Max’s, at least in Thailand.