Mazda Announces Refreshed 2016 BT-50 Production
New for the BT-50 is a newly designed front fascia, rear lamps, and aluminum wheels, while the interior was refreshed with higher-quality materials and a backup camera. The refreshed BT-50 goes into production at its Thailand manufacturing plant today;. we presume South African production isn’t far behind, as the two facilities built the pre-facelift version for global consumption. Thailand and Australia will be the first two markets to sample the updated pickup.
“The BT-50 defied the conventional image of the pickup truck when the current model was introduced in 2011 as an ‘active lifestyle vehicle,’ with modern and refined styling,” according to Mazda. “Since then it has gained great popularity thanks to its excellent driving performance and highly functional interior and cargo space, which make it ideal for both personal and business use.”
An all-diesel powertrain lineup and tuning ideal for global markets all but ensure that the BT-50 will likely never invade our shores, and that’s a shame. Its range of body styles (including cab-and-chassis options) makes it seem like the honest work truck we’ve been missing since American Monroneys began inflating. Still, don’t hold your breath for the BT-50 (or similarly verboten Mahindra, Isuzu, and Ford small pickups). It’s probably not a great fit for Mazda’s U.S. showrooms, unfortunately.
Source: Mazda
