Mazda Australia will offer more than 100 factory-developed accessories for its new BT-50 dual-cab ute, ranging from bull bars to tonneau covers.
Developed in Australia, the range of accessories is designed to meet demand from buyers looking to personalise their new pickup, take it off-road adventuring, or protect themselves from the perils of the outback at night.
The headline act is a new bull bar dubbed the ‘Queensland Bar’, developed to protect the ute’s nose without impeding the suite of cameras and sensors required to support the BT-50’s new range of active safety features.
It also features mounting points for spotlights and light bars. Mazda has developed its own options, but the aftermarket is never far behind when it comes to ute accessories.
Down back, the Mazda’s new ute will be offered with a black sports bar (complete with BT-50 branding for good measure), along with a factory soft tonneau option. Owners will be able to choose from a range of 18-inch alloy wheels, too.
Mazda’s development partner for the BT-50, Isuzu, has gone its own way with its range of more than 50 factory-developed accessories for the all-new D-Max.
As with the BT-50, the headline act for the D-Max is a bull bar designed to work with the full suite of driver aids.
Isuzu will offer both steel and alloy options, with mounts for antennae – but not a winch.
Also offered will be nudge bars, canopies and roof racks, and a range of trays complete with drawers, steps, lockable boxes, and spare wheel hangers.
Lockable hard canopies with fixed, sliding, and pop-out windows will be offered, alongside hard and soft tonneau covers for models fitted with a tub.
A tow bar and brake controller will be available from the factory, although the D-Max and MU-X’s popularity with grey nomads means the aftermarket will be quick to wade in with its own options as well.
Ute customisation is a big business in Australia. Toyota’s tough HiLux Rugged X and Rogue were direct responses to the fact high-end HiLux owners would buy their cars, drive down the road, and spend $5000 on ARB accessories without blinking.
Ford, Mitsubishi, and Nissan all use accessorised special editions to maintain interest in their dual-cab utes, too.
