While it isn’t an outright confirmation and more of a teaser, it seems that Mazda Philippines is launching a vehicle on November 24, 2020.
We aren’t really sure as to what this model is since Mazda PH is being really coy about it. But if we consider the scant evidence though, the only vehicle in Mazda PH’s current lineup that has not received a recent update is the Mazda BT-50.
Currently, it’s also the oldest model in the local Mazda lineup. Do note that this is a wild guess, but we think Mazda PH might be launching the new 5th-gen BT-50 next week.
November 24, 2020. Save the date
We might turn out to be wrong though because Mazda has also launched several new vehicles in other markets such as the CX-30 Turbo, the updated CX-5, the Mazda3 Turbo, among others.
But if it’s really the BT-50 that’s going to launch next week, why didn’t Isuzu PH get to launch the new 3rd-gen D-Max first? Well, according to a report by caradvice.com.au, the plant producing the D-Max had to halt production for three months. This is due to a shortage of parts caused in turn by the COVID-19 situation in Europe.
The production of the Mazda BT-50 however, is still ongoing for now. This is despite the fact that these two trucks share the same production line as they are literally the same model save for some exterior differences. As such, that’s our theory as to why Mazda PH could launch the new BT-50 next week.
>>> Related: 2021 Mazda BT-50 debuts CX-9 looks on an Isuzu truck platform
We're either right on the money, or totally off with our guess
If our very wild guess rings true, then this is the brand’s first new-generation pickup truck in almost a decade. And that will surely catch everyone’s attention. Moreover, the 2021 Mazda BT-50 would make the local pickup truck segment even more exciting.
For more updates on this, be sure to keep posted here on Philkotse.com.
Know more about Mazda BT-50 2024
The third-generation Mazda BT-50 2023 is the latest pickup truck offering from the Japanese marque. It still remains to be a body-on-frame model, and it is based on the third-generation Isuzu D-max.
For the Philippine market, the Mazda BT-50 for 2023 is available in three variants. These come with a price ranging from Php 1,390,000 to Php 1,858,000, with the BT-50 4x4 MT as the entry-level variant, and the BT-50 Pangolin Edition 2 4x4 AT as the top-spec variant.
Under the hood of the BT-50 is a 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX inline-4 turbodiesel engine. At maximum, it can produce up to 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Available transmissions include a six-speed automatic and a five-speed manual. For drivetrains, only the top-spec variant comes with 4x4.
Size-wise, the new BT-50 2023 Philipines is 5,280mm long, 1,870mm wide, and 1,800mm in height. It also has a wheelbase of 3,125mm.
Competing against the Mazda BT-50 in the Philippine market is the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Strada, Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger, Maxus T60, etc.
₱ 1,390,000 - ₱ 1,858,000
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