Despite tightening emissions regulations and an industry-wide push to electrified technologies, Mazda believes diesel engines still make sense in some cases.
Mazda Australia believes diesel powertrains are still a viable option even with emissions targets tightening and electrified technologies such as battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) coming to the fore.
With the current BT-50 twinned with the D-Max, Drive asked whether Mazda has access to the EV version of the Isuzu ute that is coming to Australia later this year.
“At this stage, we are not ready to make any announcements there,” Mazda Australia boss Vinesh Bhindi told Drive.
“I don't think we will be having a battery EV ute anytime soon.
“But we will let the market tell us that there is room for it, and there is demand for it, and Mazda should consider what the options are.”
Bhindi said he believes diesel engines, specifically for utes like its BT-50, will be available for some time to come as they offer unique advantages over electrified systems seen in newer models like the BYD Shark 6, GMW Cannon Alpha, and Ford Ranger.
“Diesel in utes [is] here to stay, I don't see a future where plug-in hybrids or battery EV utes are the only options, I think diesel still makes sense,” Bhindi said.
The advantages of a diesel often include higher maximum torque – therefore better handling payload and towing – as well as longer driving ranges and fuel economy when compared with a petrol engine of similar size.
However, they are not without their shortcomings too, with many needing a diesel particulate filter that requires regular ‘burning off’ – a process that requires higher operating temperatures and an extended period of time, which translates to longer driving distances for owners.
Full electric and PHEV utes meanwhile, also offer the same upsides as an electric motor can add significant torque that is available instantly, as well as reducing fuel consumption.
While diesels can be refuelled at nearly any service station in a matter of minutes, an electric vehicle (EV) or PHEV requires sometimes long recharge times to top up the battery – which could be a dealbreaker for operators that want to minimise vehicle downtime.
Bhindi said the light commercial ute market looks to be segmenting further, splitting between workhorses and lifestyle vehicles, with buyers of each subset valuing different things an engine might offer.
“We are looking at how the segment changes because it's a big segment and our research that shows that a person, a customer, that wants an off-road-capable ute for the lifestyle – so it could be from towing boats, towing caravans to bush bashing on the weekend – they are still not convinced on the plug-in hybrid, although it may be capable,” Bhindi said.
“I think there are many ute buyers who don't do any of that – in terms of payload, towing, off-road – but need it for work purposes.
“And while the [Fringe Benefit] tax incentive was around, it made even more sense. But post this tax incentive, to some, it will still make sense.
“I think the ute segment will fragment from current or the past buyers that we know, to people who will say, well, maybe this one meets their requirements better.”
Outside of the BT-50 ute, Mazda is also one of the only global brands in recent times to design, develop, build, and launch a ground-up all-new diesel engine in the form of the 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder with mild-hybrid technology that launched locally in the CX-60 in 2023.
“Mazda Corporation has invested heavily in the inline six diesel. And that will be available for some time yet, and as long as it's been produced, we will offer that as an option,” Bhindi said.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
