Isuzu and Mazda have agreed to work together to create a pickup truck

The next generation Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max may just be twins under the skin, a likely outcome of a collaboration of the two Japanese automakers. 

The two companies have previously co-developed their BT-50 and D-Max utes (a term originally used in Australian to describe a 'utility coupe') in conjunction with Ford and General Motors respectively. Now the two will join forces to create the replacements for their high-profile light commercial vehicle products.

The wording of the very brief official announcement suggests that Isuzu will be the lead developer - as Ford was with Mazda's current BT-50. The agreement is for all markets worldwide outside the U.S.A.

"Mazda and Isuzu have reached a basic agreement on next generation pickup truck collaboration, allowing Isuzu to enhance its product competitiveness and Mazda to strengthen its product lineup and maintain own-brand market coverage," the joint release stated. "Isuzu will produce next generation pickup trucks for Mazda, based on Isuzu's pickup truck model."

Mazda and Isuzu have partnered in the commercial space before. For around 10 years Isuzu has produced Mazda-branded light trucks for the Japanese marketplace. BT-50 is currently built in factories jointly developed with Ford. The Isuzu deal will see the next generation BT-50 built in an Isuzu facility.