Isuzu targets record sales of 15,000 units

MANILA, Philippines - Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) intends to achieve record-high sales of 15,000 units this year as it expects strong demand for the D-Max pickup and its trucks.

“This year, we are targeting sales to reach 15,000 units,” IPC president Nobuo Izumina told reporters.

A total of 11,793 Isuzu vehicles were sold in the country last year, up slightly from the 11,759 sold in 2012.

The firm is banking on the D-Max pickup introduced in the market in September to hit a new sales milestone.

“There is reason why we are optimistic because we launched the D-Max last year and we are aiming for higher share in the pickup segment,” IPC executive vice president Takashi Tomita told reporters.

As of last year, the company accounted for a 12- to 13-percent share in the local pickup market.

Tomita said the firm iaims to produce 4,300 units of the D-Max pickup at its plant in Biñan, Laguna for the local market to increase its share in the pickup market to 20 percent this year.

Aside from the D-Max pickup, the company likewise expects higher sales this year to be supported by demand for trucks.

“The government announced investments for infrastructure like roads, railroad and airport, so we see more demand for trucks,” Izumina said.

While the firm is upbeat on the growth of its sales and the local automotive market this year, it is pushing for more government support to encourage companies to invest further in local assembly operations and in procurement of parts from domestic suppliers.

Tomita said companies have to import some vehicle models and parts because it is costlier to produce and source these locally.

IPC assembles all Isuzu vehicle models being sold here except for the Alterra which is imported from Thailand.

In terms of parts, most of the components of the company’s trucks assembled here are from Japan, while those used in the sports utility vehicle models are imported from Indonesia and Thailand.