Mazda PH previews one-make pickup race series with BT-50 concept
Mazda attended this year's Manila Auto Show with two racing-inspired concepts
For the first time, Mazda Philippines was present at the recently concluded 2025 Manila Auto Salon. For this year's show, they came up with a motorsports-inspired display that shows the brand's continued commitment to driving passion, design, and community engagement.
Two unique builds were present at Mazda's booth, which were designed to excel in their respective segments, while keeping Mazda’s human-centric approach at their core. First up is the Mazda BT-50 4x4 MT BT Racing Concept, which is the automaker's vision for a one-make pickup truck race.
It's a bold exploration of Mazda’s performance potential in the pickup segment and was developed in collaboration with top-tier aftermarket brands, under the project guidance of brand consultant Jaykee Evangelista.
It combines the capability, durability, and design refinement in the truck performance development and comes with prototype CUSCO suspension and performance components, six pieces of 17” Concept One Outback wheels, GT Radial Savero M/T Pro 265/70R17 tires, Mammoth Aluminum roof rack, Rhino Armor Crossbars, custom bed mounted wheel chair, Raid mudflaps, and PIAA LTX 590 and V-RF 40” LED Bar. The pickup is then wrapped in a bespoke livery by Vinyl Frog.
The idea of developing a BT-50-based performance truck was first introduced last May during the first leg of the Mazda Fan Festa PH. After an overwhelmingly positive response from the BT-50 Community, Mazda Philippines developed it further with the intention of introducing a one-make BT-50 Race Series in 2026.
The other concept Mazda presented at this year's Manila Auto Salon is the Miata Cup 23rd Anniversary Edition. It represents Mazda's timeliness Jinba-Ittai philosophy—the harmony between car and driver, and is based on the new MX-5 2.0L MT Black Top Black Leather variant. It's dressed in a bespoke racing livery by local artist Jaykee Evangelista of Groundworks Design and was inspired by motorsports liveries.
For its appearance at the Manila Auto Salon, it is enhanced with the full set of AutoExe performance parts. AutoExe is a tuning company and parts maker that specializes in Mazda vehicles. With decades of experience as a Mazda tuner, AutoExe focuses on enhancing directness and agility. The result is an MX-5 that responds seamlessly to the driver’s intent without any compromise to comfort.
The MX-5 comes with AutoExe parts, including a front under spoiler, a carbon seat bar bezel, wheel nut set, Kijima-Spec Street Sports Suspension, front & rear sports stabilizers, a tower brace set, a rear floor cross bar, dual center sports muffler, a quick shifter, and sport bucket seats.
“Mazda Philippines’ first-ever presence at the 2025 Manila Auto Salon embodies the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship, performance, and collaboration. Through partnerships with world-class aftermarket specialists, Mazda continues to celebrate the passion of driving and the vibrant automotive community that shares its spirit. By being at both the Philippine International Motor Show and the Manila Auto Salon, it allows us to balance brand innovation with enthusiast engagement, catering to both loyal Mazda owners and performance-driven communities,” said Steven Tan, president & CEO of Mazda Philippines.
With Mazda adamant about its one-make BT-50 race series, we're curious when Mazda will officially reveal the pickup racing class next year.
