Produced across five generations from 1961 to 2006, the model line began life primarily as a commercial vehicle, slotted above a kei truck in size.

It had a 1,484 cc OHV water-cooled engine with wet sleeve cylinders which produced 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS), and a one-ton payload.

This model also had a torsion bar front/leaf spring rear suspension, which was advanced for its time, giving it a relatively smooth ride.

The BUB61 had a new, upside-down, trapezoidal grille instead of the earlier full-width unit, with thirteen bars rather than nine, turn signals on the fenders, and more chrome trim—including a decor strip on the side.

The "pickup" had a fully integrated coupé utility body rather than the separate bed of the truck version, as it was based on the somewhat passenger-oriented light van.

This model was a two-door, fully glazed van with a fold-down tailgate and an electrically powered window, which was rare in the Japanese market at the time.

[3] The B1500 was sleeker and considerably more powerful than its competitors in the Japanese market, but it was also markedly more expensive and it failed to sell in the expected quantities.

[4] The 1966 B1500/Proceed presented in October 1965 used the same 1484 cc OHV I4 engine as its predecessor, with minor changes to the cylinder head and valves and the use of a downdraft carburetor instead of the sidedraft unit used on the models sold between 1961 and 1965.

Its strong sales in the US market—mostly with Ford badging—relieved Mazda's pressing cash flow troubles in the period following the 1970s energy crisis.

[10][11] The Rotary-Engined Pickup (REPU) had a four-port 1.3-liter 13B four-barrel carbureted engine,[12] flared fenders, a battery mounted under the bed, a different dash, a front grille, and round taillights.

Sales dropped, with 632 units sold in the 1976 model year, when the four-speed manual transmission was upgraded to a five-speed.

[10] Mazda invested in a moderate redesign for the 1977 model (PA236), updating its electrical systems and adding a 3 in (76 mm) cab stretch for increased comfort.

[citation needed] The Courier was manufactured by Toyo Kogyo (Mazda),[17] and imported and sold by Ford Motor Company as a response to the unforeseen popularity of the small Toyota and Nissan (Datsun) pickups among young buyers in the Western states.

Gulf Auto Restorations in New Zealand also built a run of double-cab Ford Couriers in 1979, long before Mazda themselves developed such a model.

The key feature distinguishing the Courier from Mazda's B series was the single headlights, although with park and indicator lights were placed inset starting in 1978.

[citation needed] Engine options: 92 kW (125 PS) at 4600 rpm in Australia Upon its North American debut in 1985 for the 1986 model year, the B2000 was praised by automotive critics for its comfortable ride, smooth handling, and general car-like feel despite its ability to perform tasks required of a truck.

The Cab Plus base model came standard with body side pinstripes, swing-out rear side windows, checkered tweed reclining bucket seats, full cut-pile carpeting, a sports-type moulded shifter boot, a remote fuel-filler door release, and a storage box for jack and tools.

It came standard with chrome trim all around, driver's lumbar support adjustment, herringbone tweed upholstery, fully upholstered door panels with lower door carpeting and map pockets, full cut-pile carpeting, day/night rearview mirror, passenger sun visor vanity mirror, 'headlamps on' warning buzzer, windshield washer fluid level warning light, locking glove box, wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM stereo, tachometer, temperature gauge, digital quartz clock, tinted glass, sliding rear window, dual black mirrors, body side mouldings, pinstripes, a black rear step bumper, chrome spoked wheels with white-letter Bridgestone SF Radial tires.

Although the North American Mazda B series remained largely unchanged throughout its eight-year run, there were minor cosmetic refreshes.

For the North American markets, Mazda spent more than US$100 million to design and develop the 1986–1993 B-series trucks to meet consumer demands.

Partway through the 1994 model year, beginning in limited markets in June and expanding to the whole country in September, Mazda introduced a rebadged version of the Ford Ranger.

Because of declining sales and a lack of significant updates to its parent platform, the Ford-built B series was discontinued after the 2009 model year.

[citation needed] In March 2002 a 2892 cc (2.9-liter) version of the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter diesel engine was also developed and sold in "general markets" and the Gulf States as the B2900.

[citation needed] The B2600/B2200s sold in Venezuela and nearby Latin American countries were assembled in Colombia by Compañía Colombiana Automotriz S.A. (CCA).

Shifting from Hiroshima, Japan, the B-Series was produced alongside the Ranger in St. Paul, Minnesota in the Ford Twin Cities Assembly facility.

In shifting the production of the model line from Japan to Minnesota, Mazda was able to entirely circumvent the 25% "chicken tax" applied to light trucks.

After struggling to establish market share in North America during the 1980s against Toyota and Nissan, the B-Series was shifted to highest-selling model line in segment.

Sharing identical mechanical underpinnings with the Ranger, the 1994 Mazda B-Series was produced with a high degree of visual similarity to its Ford counterpart.

The B-Series received distinct body panels for the front fascia and pickup truck bed; extended cabs were distinguished with separate exterior trim.

Through its production, the Ford-produced B-Series followed the development of the Ranger in its body and chassis, undergoing a substantial update for the 1998 model year.