The T6 project which spawned the two vehicles, which are both starring at the Australian International Motor Show from today, was based in a 'home room' at Ford Australia in Broadmeadows but the Japanese brand is claiming its share of the credit.
"I just want to say the project was jointly developed with Ford," says Keichi Wakabayashi, Mazda's general manager of corporate communications. The rolling chassis was engineered by Mazda. The interior, top hat and tuning of the BT-50 was done by Mazda."
"Platform developed overall was joint. There is discussion on who took the lead. It's our intention to build a unique brand for Mazda."
Wakabayashi is in Australia as part of a high-powered team led by Mazda's chief executive officer, Takashi Yamanouchi. He says the objective with the BT-50 was to make it for "active lifestyle use", not just a commercial workhorse.
The BT-50 is one of the sales drivers for a Mazda Australia plan to hit 100,000 sales a year by 2012, four years ahead of the timetable set from Japan.
"Australia will be the largest market for this new product," says Yamanouchi.
The BT-50, like the Ranger, will not go on sale until the second half of next year as production at the two companies' joint-venture factory in Thailand does not begin until next year.
Yamanouchi says the new-look motor show - the first since rival shows in Sydney and Melbourne merged to create a single Australian showcase - makes a powerful case for more impact on the global scene.
"Yes, I think especially for Mazda. The operation here is a best- practice model for the whole world. There is a good possibility Australia will be the venue for a global preview."
