Isuzu sales up slightly

MANILA, Philippines - Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) reported a slight increase in its vehicle sales in the January to February period from a year ago due to  strong demand for the Crosswind and its trucks.

IPC said in a statement yesterday it sold 1,750 units in the first two months of the year, up by 0.2 percent from the same period last year.

The growth in sales was supported by the performance of the Crosswind Asian utility vehicle, with 1,006 units sold for the period, higher than the 987 units sold in the comparable period a year ago.

IPC’s trucks also contributed to the higher sales.

Sales of the firm’s medium and heavy trucks reached 46 units as of end-February, rising 21.1 percent from last year.

IPC also sold more N-Series light duty trucks with sales of 269 units for the first two months of the year, climbing 27.5 percent from a year ago.

“For decades, the market has placed its demand on Isuzu trucks because of their known strengths,” IPC president Ryoji Yamazaki said.

“These strengths – durable, reliable, fuel-efficient – are key to Isuzu trucks earning their reputation as dependable business partners. These workhorses are not only invaluable to the various enterprises they serve but are true contributors to the country’s economy,” he said further.

The strong performance of IPC’s truck models in the country comes as Isuzu became the top-selling brand for trucks in Japan last year.

The N-Series has commanded a 39.6 percent share in Japan’s two- and three-ton payload segment last year.