Mazda has started the production of its refreshed 2016 BT-50 pickup truck at the Auto Alliance (Thailand) or AAT plant yesterday with the plan of introducing this model to markets such as Thailand and Australia in the second half of 2015 (Philippines likely to follow after, if ever at all).

As a refresher, the BT-50 came out in 2011 as an “active lifestyle vehicle” featuring a modern and refined styling. Since then, it has gained praise for its driving performance and functional interior. Indeed, Mazda sees it as an ideal vehicle for those who need a vehicle for both personal and business use. It’s so good that it garnered the Car of the Year – Philippines Truck of the Year award in 2012/13.

For the refreshed BT-50, Mazda has given it new front-end featuring re-shaped smoked headlights, a new grille, and revamped bumpers. All in all, it ties it quite nicely with the rest of the Mazda range even if wasn’t really designed with the KODO language in mind. Other changes to the BT-50 include new alloy wheels as well as new rear combination lamps. Inside, it gets a revamped interior with plusher plastics. And for the first time, it also gets a rear-view camera as standard equipment for added safety.

Under the hood, the 2016 BT-50 remains unchanged from the previous model which isn’t so bad given it still has a formidable diesel engine line-up under the hood. The BT-50 carries on with either a 3.2-liter inline-5 with 200 horsepower and 470 Nm of torque or 2.2-liter inline-4 with 152 horsepower and 375 Nm of torque. The available transmissions are a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.