Mazda Southern Africa has announced the end of the production and importation of the Mazda BT-50 Double Cab Pickup for the South African market.
Since it debuted in 2008, replacing Mazda’s successful B-series of LCVs, the BT-50 has had mixed sales results for Mazda in the local market. The BT-50 was originally manufactured in an alliance with Ford Motor Company of SA at its Silverton plant.
The current version, which launched in 2021 and was manufactured in Thailand as part of an alliance with Isuzu, has not made inroads into our extremely competitive double-cab market, especially compared to brands that manufacture locally.
“The South African LCV scene, and in particular the double cab market, is extremely well developed and competitive with locally manufactured brands and nameplates dominating sales. This factor, as well as an extremely challenging landscape for imported vehicles competing directly with locally manufactured products, has led Mazda SA to make this difficult decision., commented Craig Roberts MD of Mazda SA.
Current Inventory at dealers will be the final available BT-50 vehicles for retail sale in SA and no further imports of the BT-50 will be brought to SA by Mazda SA Pty Ltd.
The existing BT-50 car parc, both current generation as well as previous generation vehicles under Warranty and in Service Plan, including all vehicles currently in service on SA roads will continue to be supported by Mazda SA and its 42 Dealers around the country. As with the run-out of any specific model, Mazda SA will continue to support BT-50 with all service, repair and replacement parts.
Mazda Corporation will continue to manufacture the BT-50 as part of its alliance with Isuzu for other global markets.
Charging time remains a worry for many South Africans considering an electric vehicle, who still see it as a disruption rather than a quick stop at a filling station. That view is starting to shift.
The winners of the 2026 Automotive Business Council | naamsa Accelerator Awards were announced at the recently held Auto Week 2026, which took place in eThekwini, KZN.
When Cobus Coetzee (photo) accepted the opportunity to join the Morgan Group in Upington, he had to weigh up more than a new position. The move meant exchanging the West Coast’s cooler climate and seaside lifestyle for the Northern Cape’s desert heat, while taking responsibility for a multi-franchise operation spread across several premises.
Advertisement
Advertisement
You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
Unknown
The winners of the 2026 Automotive Business Council | naamsa Accelerator Awards were announced at the recently held Auto Week 2026, which took place in eThekwini, KZN.
With the steep rise in fuel prices since March this year leading to historic record highs following massive increases in October, the government intervention annouched this week, is widely welcomed.
Omoda has confirmed that the new C4 will become the first model from the Chery Group to be built in South Africa, with production set to take place at the company's Rosslyn manufacturing facility in Gauteng.
