Isuzu retains leadership in local truck market

MANILA, Philippines - Figures released by the Truck Manufacturers Association of the Philippines and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. show that Isuzu vehicles led truck market last year as they had the previous 11 straight years.

Last year, Isuzu’s N-Series light-duty trucks sold a total of 996 units, or 56.8 percent of Category 3 of the commercial vehicle segment. Isuzu’s medium-duty trucks, including the Forward, were just as dominant, selling 232 units for 57.9 percent of Category 4.

The impressive 2009 sales numbers of Isuzu trucks included a strong December, in which the Forward sold 20 units (100 percent of Category 4) and the N-Series moved 141 units (51.8 percent of Category 3).

The good sales performance of these vehicles helped Isuzu post an overall month-on-month increase from 972 units in December 2008 to 1,199 units in December 2009. Isuzu’s total sales during the month also marked a 28-percent improvement from the 934 units it sold in November 2009.

“The sustained strong sales of Isuzu trucks show that customers continue to trust our hardworking vehicles,” said Isuzu Philippines Corp. president Keiji Takeda. “Factors commonly cited by clients are our trucks’ durability, reliability, fuel-efficiency and low-cost maintenance requirements. Clearly, Isuzu trucks are the ideal business partners.”

In 2009, Isuzu introduced the all-new Forward medium-duty series of trucks. The market’s positive response was attributed to the Forward’s features, including Isuzu’s new Euro 2 emission compliant 6HK1-TCN engine, which is now already turbocharged and boasts an intercooler and a common-rail fuel-injection system. Its 72 kg-m of torque is now the best in class. Another feature of the Forward is a new “hexapod concept” design, resulting in optimal aerodynamics for better fuel economy as well as bigger door openings for easier ingress and egress.

“Another reason for our trucks’ strong sales is our excellent after-sales support,” explained IPC senior vice president Arthur Balmadrid. “We at Isuzu make it a point to continue supporting our fleet customers long after they’ve purchased our trucks. We even conduct seminars and workshops that aim to train customers on how to properly use and maintain their Isuzu trucks. We believe that our role doesn’t end with the sale of a truck. On the contrary, our role starts with the sale. Customers appreciate that a lot.”

Isuzu’s passenger vehicles also sold well in 2009. The Crosswind sold 4,870 units for the year, the D-MAX sold 2,424 units, and the Alterra sold 673 units. In December, the Crosswind sold 668 units for a 28-percent increase from 523 units in November. The D-MAX sold 308 units in December for a 27-percent jump from 242 units in November.