Mazda and Isuzu have relied on Ford and General Motors for pickup partnerships so it comes as a bit of a surprise that the Japanese automakers have teamed up to create an all-new pickup.

A "basic agreement" has already been reached and it calls for to Isuzu to develop and build an all-new pickup.  Isuzu will also be tasked with building a version on Mazda's behalf.

Little is known about the pickup truck but the model will be sold worldwide expect in North America.  This could suggest the companies are developing replacements for the Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max but nothing is official as of yet.

In a statement, the companies praised the collaboration agreement by saying it will allow Isuzu to "enhance its product competiveness" while Mazda will be able to "strengthen its product line-up and maintain own-brand market coverage."

This isn't the first time that Mazda and Isuzu have worked together as the companies have had a collaborative relationship for more than a decade. That particular partnership sees Isuzu producing Mazda-branded trucks for the Japanese market.

Source: Mazda

Gallery: Isuzu to build new pickup truck for Mazda

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Mazda and Isuzu enter Pick-up Truck Collaboration Agreement

HIROSHIMA and FUJISAWA Japan - Mazda Motor Corporation (hereafter “Mazda”) and Isuzu Motors Limited (hereafter “Isuzu”) have reached a basic agreement on next-generation pick-up truck collaboration, allowing Isuzu to enhance its product competiveness and Mazda to strengthen its product line-up and maintain own-brand market coverage.

Isuzu will produce next-generation pick-up trucks for Mazda, based on Isuzu’s pick-up truck model.

Mazda and Isuzu have developed a collaborative relationship for more than 10 years, with Isuzu producing for Mazda trucks for the Japanese market. This agreement reinforces the continuous long-term relationship between Mazda and Isuzu.

<Outline of Mazda-Isuzu Basic Agreement>

Model: Next-generation pick-up truck produced by Isuzu

Producer: Isuzu Motors Limited

Purchaser: Mazda Motor Corporation

Sales area: Worldwide except North America

Start of sales: To be determined