Mazda to End Relationship with Ford, Finds New Partner in Isuzu

MANILA: The automobile industry is a weird place that witnesses new partnerships and breakups every now and then. Somewhat like we experience and see in our day to day life. This morning we bring you one such news, where one automaker is in full mood to end its year-long relationship and is about to enter into a new one soon. Making things clearer, we are talking about Mazda that since long has maintained a cordial relationship with Ford. Both the automakers were engaged in collaborative pickup truck production which is about to end, after which Mazda will replace Ford with Isuzu, as its new partner.

Further, we'll like to inform you that for a while now Mazda is selling re-badged Ford Ranger under the name BT-50. The said car is co-developed by Mazda and Ford at Ford’s Australian division. But according to sources, the next-generation BT-50 will involve no Ford gene and will be integrated with Isuzu blood.

Only last year in Thailand, Mazda launched 2016 BT-50 that was produced under the same old Mazda-Ford partnership. The concerned BT-50 shares its platform with Ford Ranger T6 and is produced at AutoAlliance Plant in Thailand. Thus, making the all-new BT-50 the last survivor of this fading auto partnership. Also, its twin sibling Ford Ranger around the same time received an update that we got to check-out at 2015 IIMS.

As per the press release issued by Mazda and Isuzu, Isuzu in future will be producing pick-ups for Mazda. The new pickups manufactured under this partnership would be based on Isuzu’s current-generation models and would go-on sale specifically in the Japanese market. Thus, extending their 10-year strong pact further. Also, in the PR was mentioned the fact that vehicles manufactured under this new partnership will be sold worldwide except for the North American market.

In addition, we’d like to inform you that Isuzu also shares a long and promising partnerships with General Motors. Herein, Isuzu and GM work in collaboration to produce commercial truck and diesel engines. 2017 Chevrolet Colorado that was recently showcased is seen housing the diesel mill created under the said partnership.