Is the Ford Courier a Mazda?
The Ford Courier was not a Mazda-branded vehicle, but in several markets it was a badge-engineered Mazda pickup sold under the Ford banner. In those cases, the Courier shared Mazda underpinnings while wearing Ford styling and branding.
This article reviews how the two automakers collaborated, where the Courier appeared, and how the name is viewed today—along with what happened to the old pickup and what, if anything, carries the Courier name now.
Historical context of the Ford–Mazda pickup collaboration
To understand the Courier, it's important to know that Ford and Mazda worked together on commercial pickups for many years. Mazda supplied reliable compact and mid-size trucks, while Ford marketed them under its own nameplate in certain regions. The Courier became part of that ecosystem, serving customers who wanted a Ford-branded pickup built on Mazda mechanicals.
Before exploring the specific regions, here are the key points about the relationship and its outcomes.
- The Courier was based on Mazda pickup platforms (not a Mazda badge). In practical terms, it used Mazda mechanicals and engineering, but carried Ford branding for sale in certain markets.
- In markets such as Australia and parts of the Asia-Pacific region, the Courier emerged as Ford’s version of Mazda’s B-series/compact pickup lineup, with the appropriate Ford styling and trims.
- Production often involved local assembly or regional supply arrangements, reflecting the cross-brand collaboration between Ford and Mazda during those decades.
- The collaboration gradually tapered as Ford shifted its lineup toward Ranger-based pickups and as Mazda pursued its own separate product strategy, leading to the Courier’s decline in many markets.
Taken together, these elements show that the Ford Courier was not a Mazda-branded vehicle, but a Mazda-based Ford product—an example of historical badge engineering rather than a pure Mazda model.
The modern status of the Courier name in Ford's lineup
Today, there is no widely sold Ford pickup named Courier in major markets. The Ford Ranger stands as Ford’s contemporary mid-size pickup, while the Ford Transit Courier operates in the van segment rather than as a pickup. The Transit Courier is built on a different platform (and in partnership with a different framework) than the historic Courier pickups.
Before the list below, here is a quick note on how today’s offerings differ from the historical Courier:
- The Ford Transit Courier is a small panel van, not a Mazda-based pickup, and it serves a commercial-van segment rather than a pickup niche.
- The Ranger remains the current Ford mid-size pickup in many markets, with no direct Courier badge in production.
- For collectors and automotive historians, surviving Courier models are typically sought in markets where the badge engineering occurred, with parts sourced through vintage channels.
In summary, the Ford Courier’s connection to Mazda is historical and regional, rather than ongoing in Ford’s present lineup. The Courier name survives mainly as a chapter in Ford–Mazda collaboration history, not as a current Mazda-branded product.
Summary
The Ford Courier was a badge-engineered vehicle built on Mazda pickup underpinnings and sold under the Ford name in markets like Australia and New Zealand. It was not a Mazda-branded model, but it did share Mazda mechanicals. Today, the Courier name is largely retired in favor of Ford’s Ranger lineup, while the Transit Courier remains a separate small van with no direct Mazda connection.
Is Ford owned by Mazda?
No, Ford does not own Mazda, although they had a significant partnership for decades. Ford began selling its shares in Mazda in 2008 and had completely divested its ownership by 2015, making Mazda a fully independent company. Mazda is now a separate, publicly traded Japanese automaker.
- Past partnership: Ford and Mazda had a long-standing alliance where Ford held a major stake and they shared platforms and technology.
- Divestment: Following the 2008 financial crisis, Ford began selling its shares in Mazda. This process was completed by 2015.
- Current status: Mazda is now an independent company with its ownership dispersed among various shareholders, including Japanese banks and investment companies.
- Strategic alliances: While not owned by Ford, Mazda has formed new alliances, including a strategic partnership with Toyota, which holds a small stake in Mazda.
Did Mazda make the Ford Courier?
The Courier was manufactured by Toyo Kogyo (Mazda) and imported to North America and sold by Ford Motor Company as a response to the unforeseen popularity of the small Toyota and Nissan/Datsun Pickups.
Are Mazda Bounty and Ford Courier the same?
The Mazda Bounty is nearly identical to the Ford Courier of the same era - the Japanese company built utes for both brands.
What is the Ford Courier based on?
Mazda B-Series truck
Chevrolet used Isuzu to build the LUV, and Dodge had Mitsubishi build the D-50. The Ford Courier was based on the Mazda B-Series. truck, sharing its powertrain, underpinnings, and other components.
