Mazda PH releases limited-run BT-50 Pangolin Edition

Mazda Philippines, the local arm for Japanese automotive marque, shows that the heart of the company does not just rely on sheer horsepower, but also its compassion towards the environment, by releasing a limited-edition BT-50 4x4 Pangolin.

During the online launch of the special edition line of its utilitarian pick-up truck, Mazda Philippines President and CEO Steven Tan said that the introduction of the said offer comes form a newly-forged partnership with Katala Foundation, a local organization focused on the preservation of the Philippine Pangolin—one of the critically-endangered species in the country.

The newly-inked alliance will cover the information dissemination towards the much-needed help to save the Philippine pangolin, as well as the lend-out of a BT-50 4x4 Pangolin to the Katala Foundation for one year.

 “The BT-50 Pangolin is Mazda Philippines’ way to acknowledge our important role in preserving the delicate balance of our environment as we go about our daily lives,” Tan said.

“The Philippine Pangolin is an endemic and critically endangered species that deserves our attention and concern. Like the BT-50, it is a reserved, yet highly proficient, hard worker. That is why together with Katala Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit Philippine NGO that is active in protecting and conserving threatened endemic wildlife, we at Mazda Philippines will make use of the enduring nature of the BT-50 to promote awareness and inspire conservation of one the Philippines’ and the world’s most critically endangered mammals.”

Katala Foundation’s Program Director, Indira Lacerna-Widmann expressed gratitude over the  initiative.

“What an appropriate choice Mazda made to give the much needed attention that the Palawan Pangolin deserves," Widmann said. "We hope that with this vehicle, we will have the right direction to achieve the conservation status of this species. It’s an honor for us. The passion that we work for this species—and for other species we are working on—is carried also in the passion for this vehicle.”

With Mazda’s support, the NGO will make use of the pickup truck to promote its wildlife protection advocacies, and perform its preservation and monitoring duties during this time.

Since it is a special edition variant, those who want the Mazda BT-50 Pangolin may want to head to their nearest dealership already. Available only in limited numbers just like highly-endangered animal, Tan told Carmudi Philippines in an interview that they only have 60 units in their  safekeeping.

“Only limited by stock, last check [was> around 60 in inventory,” Tan said during the interview.

The Mazda BT-50 4x4 Pangolin is powered by a 3.2-liter 5-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel engine, the highest diesel engine displacement available in the pickup market to date. It is capable of delivering around 197 horsepower and 470 Nm torque.

Just like the highly-trafficked animal known locally as balintong, the Mazda BT-50 wears some local touches. It sits on 17-inch ROTA alloy wheels, which is world-renowned, top-quality performance alloy wheel brand made in the country. Such wheels support the pickup's 800-mm water wading depth as well as its off-roading capabilities.

Tan said that aside from Rota, another local component of the vehicle is its Aluminum Black Matte Finish Roof Rack. Added for a supple load capability, the Mazda BT-50 can now cater to huge cargo space—a whole lot bigger compared to the standard 1,214 liters of available cargo volume.

 On the inside, the Mazda BT-50 4x4 Pangolin is equipped with a seven-inch Touch Screen JVC Infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring capability. The black leather steering wheel (which has been fitted with wheel-mounted controls) complements the Black Leather Seats.

Same with all other Mazda vehicles, the BT50 4x4 Pangolin comes with Mazda 5-Year Free Service Plan that includes 10 Periodic Maintenance Service schedules over 5 years, or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.

Another reason to get the Mazda BT-50 Pangolin is the introductory price.

Instead of the regular P1.55 million Suggested Retail Price (SRP) for the regular 4x4 offering, the Pangolin edition is being offered with a P150,000 discount as an introductory bargain—bringing down the price tag to P1.4 million. The Mazda BT-50 4x4 Pangolin is offered in six hues, namely Cool White, Titanium Flash, True Red, Jet Black, Aluminum Metallic, and Deep Crystal Blue.

Photos from Mazda Philippines

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