As we said in the opening, the Mazda B4000 bears a strong resemblance to the very successful Ford Ranger midsize pickups. Like the results of many Ford-Mazda associations, it is built right here in the good old USA-in Edison, New Jersey. As a result, the B4000 has the best of both worlds going for it, pickup style and substance and very-Japanese-like fit-and-finish, which is to say high quality.,p>The other two major players in the midsize truck market, Chevy and Dodge, have stayed away from any import associations involving their pickups. Dodge dealers bristle at any suggestions of Chrysler joining Mitsubishi in producing an import version of the successful Dakota. Chevy, despite some strong ongoing relationships with import partners, apparently has avoided the situation altogether.
But the Mazda B400 is a unique product of a unique relationship. It has a superior level of comfort and great ride and handling. The quality appears to be up to import standards. The committee of designers, engineers, manufacturing gurus and marketing wizards have done a very good job at coming up with the look and feel of an import in a package aimed directly at an important American market.