Mazda has a long-standing legacy of selling pickups in the U.S., with its B Series truck remaining in production for over four decades. During that time, Ford rebadged the B Series as the Courier, and at another point, Mazda’s truck was essentially a rebadged Ford Ranger. Currently, Mazda doesn’t offer any pickups in the American market, and it seems unlikely that the BT-50 model sold internationally will make its way here. However, there is one Mazda truck available in the U.S.—and it’s a truly wild ride.
The Ballistic Unlimited MazdaSpeed TranSport Custom Turbo Protege 5 Mazda-Mino Is Now Up for Sale
Hold on tight for this one. The Ballistic Unlimited MazdaSpeed TranSport Custom Turbo Protege 5 Mazda-Mino first wowed audiences at the 2005 SEMA Show, and now it’s up for auction on eBay. Originally, the Protege 5 was the predecessor to the Mazda 3 hatchback, but this unique concept transformed it into a sporty, Ford Ranchero-inspired pickup truck.
Pro Design Hot Rods handled the body conversion, giving the truck a bold new look. It features a DG Motorsports widebody kit, a striking custom green paint job, and a standout interior with Stitchcraft’s orange perforated leather paired with gray suede. No need to wonder what the truck bed is for—the Nitrous Express dual-tank wet nitrous oxide system is cleverly housed there. While there’s no word on a six-disc changer, it’s easy to imagine 50 Cent’s “The Massacre” album blasting on repeat if one had been installed.
Other modifications include, but are not limited to:
Unfortunately, the MazdaSpeed SEMA Truck isn’t in flawless shape. According to the seller, “she” has been stored indoors and is still drivable, but there’s a fluid leak to be aware of. The hood shows some clearcoat fading, along with a few other cosmetic blemishes. Additionally, the Toucan Industries neon lighting and accessories no longer work. The asking price is $28,900—or the best offer.
Will Mazda Bring Back Pickup Trucks to the U.S. Market?
Never say never—Mazda is open to the possibility of reintroducing a pickup truck in the United States. In an April interview, Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro mentioned that now is a “good time to think about” bringing a new pickup to the American market. However, since Mazda currently lacks the platform to build one on its own, the company would need to collaborate with other OEMs to make it happen.
Mazda’s most logical partner for a new pickup would likely be Toyota. While a rebadged Toyota Tacoma seems unlikely, Toyota is reportedly exploring a unibody compact pickup based on the Corolla Cross. Since the Corolla Cross is already assembled at the shared Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Alabama, producing a Mazda version of that truck there could be a practical and strategic move.
Mazda isn’t alone in eyeing growth in the pickup segment. Hyundai is developing both compact and midsize pickups in collaboration with General Motors. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Honda and Nissan might team up to create a midsize pickup as well. Adding to the competition, Kia has announced bold plans to introduce an electric midsize pickup to the U.S. market.
