Mazda BT-50 2008 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.