Mazda BT-50 2007 News

Manufacturers including BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Peugeot and Citroen have issued recalls via the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The clock is ticking for Mazda to find a new partner to develop its next generation BT-50 ute — and the number of potential candidates just got smaller.

Only a fraction of the 1.2 million cars on Australia roads with airbags that can spray shrapnel have been fixed, new figures show.

The jury is still out on whether the next-generation BT-50 will share development with the Toyota HiLux or Ford Ranger, but Mazda has confirmed it will continue to offer a light commercial ute.

Mazda's BT-50 was awarded Australia's coveted off-road title over five of its closest rivals; the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Holden Rodeo, Mitsubishi Triton and Ford Ranger. Australian 4WD Monthly editor Glenn Wright said: “The BT-50 was chosen as our 2007 Ute of the Year as it presented the best overall package and value for money. “What set the BT-50 apart from the rest was its brilliant engine — grunty yet refined and economical. “Its great ride and handling qualities made you forget you were driving a ute, because it felt no different to the average 4WD wagon.” This was the ultimate test of the BT-50 turbo-diesel dual cab utility covering 2500km of Australia's harshest outback terrain. A panel of six experienced judges voted Mazda's 3.0-litre turbo diesel Dual Cab Utility SDX the year's must-buy 4WD ute. Priced from $41,467 with airconditioning, canopy and bull bar, the BT-50 Dual Cab Utility SDX outshone its competitors on all of the key judging criteria that included off-road ability, interior, engine performance, overall design and engineering and an underbody damage inspection after the test. The back-to-back ute comparison, dubbed the `outback torture test' by the Australian 4WD Monthly editorial team, involved a week-long drive from Adelaide to Alice Springs and comprised every imaginable terrain, from sand, to mud, to low-range rocky tracks, to high-speed dirt and tarmac driving. The torture test Wright says: “puts the vehicles through their paces the same way our readers would if it were their own.” Mazda Australia managing director Doug Dickson said: “We could not be more delighted with this award. This title reflects the feedback we have been getting from our BT-50 customers since its launch last year. They really appreciate its power, refinement and economy. No wonder it is selling in record numbers.” This is the second award the BT-50 has won this year; it also won Delivery Magazine's 2007 Light Commercial Vehicle Award earlier this month.

However, all complaints except one about a Hyundai TV ad about two children in nappies driving a Santa Fe sports utility vehicle have been dismissed by the Advertising Standards Bureau.The ASB last week upheld the complaint that it was illegal for toddlers to drive and that they were wearing seatbelts instead of legal child restraints.Hyundai agreed to retract the ad which was filmed in New Zealand and featured a toddler in nappies who picks up hitchhiking Springwood toddler Siena Dutson.Hyundai Motor Company Australia PR general manager Richard Power said he had received calls of support from the public, but had no other campaign ready to replace the ad."There is no doubt that the controversy about this decision will attract attention but in a while it fades away and people forget and we will have to raise the awareness some other way," he said.Car ads represent about 15 per cent of complaints to the ASB, second only behind food (about 20 per cent).Over the past year, nine Ford ads attracted complaints, while Toyota and Nissan had five each and Honda and Holden four.Two of the Nissan ads featuring Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall attracted complaints about sexual content.Complaints about sexual content were also levelled at the Fiesta ad in which two scientists mould clay, and two Falcon ute ads in which women and dogs follow the car.Honda's Odyssey ads in which a married couple are "making out" in the car received complaints for "a simulated sex scene".A Holden Rodeo ad featuring a man fantasising about a Rodeo and a female passenger apparently promoted infidelity.Unsafe driving represented the most complaints, despite the ASB beefing up its crackdown in this section of its code of conduct in 2004.Ford and Toyota attracted the most complaints for promoting unsafe driving practices.Toyota copped its complaints for ads involving its Corolla Sportivo, Yaris, Prado and a Kluger which leaves behind a torn road surface.The Ford ads were the Turbo Territory eating sports cars, another Territory ad in which women drive past a school and the ad in which a young boy is disappointed because he can't get a Falcon slot car to fly off the track.A Holden Captiva jumping across the tops of buildings was also considered dangerous driving, but was dismissed as fantasy.Mazda attracted complaints for offensive language in a Mazda BT50 ute ad for use of the word "bloody".Ford's Ranger ad in which a one-eyed monster throws boulders at the ute was considered too scary for young children, but the complaint was dismissed.Ford also copped complaints of racism and incitement to violence for its Tonk-a-Pom cricket campaign.Cruelty to animals was the complaint in the Focus ad in which Jackie O pours a goldfish down a drain and in a Toyota LandCruiser ad in which the driver wears crocodile-skinned boots.Animals were also blamed for offensive behaviour when a dog in the back seat of a Dodge Caliber moons dogs in other cars.The drought prompted complaints that an ad in which a man hoses down his mud-caked Nissan Murano was inappropriate during water restrictions.Environmental issues also surfaced when complaints were received about a Jeep ad which allegedly featured "polluting diesal (sic) motor vehicles hiding behind the pristinity of a lovely natural environment".A Kia Carnival ad in which a sleeping woman is woken by a Kia salesman blowing a horn attracted complaints that it was "dangerous to blast an air-horn close to a person's ear".

Read related storyPatrick Loved the yellow Hummer, I just want one !Grant The Subaru Tribeca seems an awesome car. Look at its list of standard features for $53000 - leaves an X5 or Territory for dead. OK, the front grille takes a bit of getting used to, power could be up a bit for its weight, but you do get all the usual Subie delights, 5 star safety and quality. Definitely worth a test drive on November 25!Mark Mercedes e280cdei definatly the bestDan The absolute standout was the new BMW 3 series coupe. Can't believe no one else has mentioned it. What a sexy car! Looks much better in the metal than in photos...David Rome The Mazda CX7 is very fresh and the new BT-50 ute looks the goods to take some salesMichael Volvo C70 What a Glamour!!the engineer Mitsubishi TRM 380- bring it on in AWD! Would sell double current! Should have been the original 380 GT.Audi R8 ;-)Captiva <8>-(French Body Art 8-)Bob Rona Gotta Be the Lexus RX 350 Sports Luxury!!Jay The Saab Aero X concept car looks extraordinary. I was pretty impressed with the XR5 Turbo Ford Focus - hopefully if they bring it out in diesel, there would be a lot more interest and salesDavid Lunn Mazda CX7John The Mitsui 380 supercharged - grabbed allot of attention (so did the girls in the red dresses); I also like the new Outlander V6 & Astra convertible (or at least my wife did).Lex Biggar Audi R8william yates dark 4 door mitsi I believe it's a Tommy Mac serise and also shannon's stand the rest well............Kim I must agree with Bob MX-S ROADSTER COUPE The best by far!Jim Until I hit the Mitsubishi stand the show was a let down for me. Thank you to the Mitsubishi Girls for making the show worthwhile.Julie Definetely the Honda Legend & the Audi RX8.aaron need this so i could have this to have it better then i wont be a laughting stockNick Definitely the Mitsubishi TRM 380 - because I might be able to afford it and it looks great. Can't wait to test drive it.David Lyons Peugeot 207Stephen HSV GTS is my current realistic dream carROBERT DAWSON MX-S ROADSTER COUPEKris Audi R8 looked absolutely brilliant, that will be a real winner when it lands here. The Audi TT also looked really neat.Other cars to impress were the Volvo C30 and Suzuki SX4 WRC prototype.wazza smith nonesasha The Convertible Ford Focus. I simply love it. The new Fairmont Ghia was nice too.I did not like the Camry V6 sorry Avalon, sorry again, Aurion.Now I have gone and twisted my tongue. Anyone know a good tongue doctor <8>-). .... At least I can still type.The Volvo C30 was nice too as was the Land Rover Discovery.The Holden Commodores looked pretty decent although the Captiva did not captivate.Its too tall and skinny. I saw one in a shopping centre car park right next to a Territory and boy did it look like it needed some widening.I was also quite impressed with the Audi R8.The Hummer reminded me too much of the war in Iraq (I am against senseless wars). I also thought the Citroens were cool.Sean Hickey HSV GTS a true sports car at third of the price.I enjoyed the show,love to dream but quite a few people could get a GTS