For certain generations, the Ford Ranger was also known as the Mazda B-Series. This shared identity highlights a period of platform sharing between Ford and Mazda, particularly noticeable in the North American market.
The Mazda B-Series Connection
Specifically, the third generation of the Ford Ranger in the Americas (produced from August 1997 to December 16, 2011) was marketed as the Mazda B-Series. This practice was common among automotive manufacturers, allowing for cost-effective development and production by sharing underlying architectures and components.
The table below provides key details about this specific generation:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Alternate Name | Mazda B-Series |
| Generation | Third Generation (1998 model year) |
| Production | August 1997 – December 16, 2011 |
| Model Years | 1998–2011 (USA & Canada), 1998–2012 (South America and Mexico) |
| Assembly Plants | United States: St. Paul, Minnesota; United States: Edison, New Jersey; Argentina: General Pacheco |
This overlap meant that while the vehicles carried different brand badges and some distinct cosmetic features, they were fundamentally the same in terms of chassis, engine options, and overall design. This collaboration offered consumers a choice between two similarly capable compact pickup trucks under different brand identities.
