Mazda backs pangolin conservation

Mazda Philippines is once again putting purpose in the driver’s seat — this time by stepping up its efforts to help save one of the country’s most endangered animals.

Starting May 2025, every purchase of a brand-new Mazda BT-50 pickup will contribute P1,500 directly to the Katala Foundation, a Palawan-based group working to protect the Philippine Pangolin. The year-long initiative is called the 1,500 Pangolin Project.

The pangolin, or manis culionensis, is a scaly, shy, and critically endangered mammal found only in the Philippines. For years, it’s been targeted by poachers and traffickers. Since 2020, Mazda has partnered with the Katala Foundation to help safeguard the species and its habitat, contributing funds and even donating a BT-50 Pangolin Edition unit to help the team on the ground.

Now, Mazda is turning that commitment into something more sustainable and ongoing. With every BT-50 sale, funds will go toward anti-poaching patrols, wildlife rescue efforts, and educational campaigns.

“This partnership with Mazda gives us hope, not just for the future of the Philippine Pangolin, but for how meaningful and collective action can make a lasting impact on conservation,” said Dr. Sabine Schoppe, director of the Katala Foundation.

As for the truck itself, the latest BT-50 has gotten more than just cosmetic updates. It’s now equipped with a new infotainment system, a 360-degree camera with built-in video recording, and interior enhancements that make daily drives more comfortable. The truck runs on a 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, balancing power and efficiency. Hill Launch Assist is now standard across all variants, while the 4x4 Pangolin model comes with Rough Terrain Mode for trickier conditions.

Mazda Philippines president Steven Tan said the project reflects the company’s broader environmental goals under its Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 initiative.

“The 1,500 Pangolin Project is an initiative that puts into motion Mazda’s dedication in championing sustainability beyond driving by protecting what matters in the world around us,” he said.

By combining pickup truck performance with pangolin preservation, Mazda is reminding buyers that driving with purpose can mean more than just where the road takes you.