A Throng of Troopers

It’s that birds-of-the-same-feather thing. People who share common interests usually flock together. Car guys hang out with car guys, not with other guys passionate about knitwork. Car guys too would tend to hang out with car guys who drive the same cars they do. It’s as natural as geese flying south for the winter, pigs rolling in muck and politicians running for re-election — or come to think of it, rolling in muck as well. It just is.

No surprise then that Isuzu Trooper owners, well, trooped to the launch of the Trooper Club, most of whom arrived in their prized Troopers.

On a wet, wet weekend evening last May 31, Isuzu Philippines Corporation formally launched the Trooper Club in a lavish eat-drink-and-be-merry party at the utterly lovely Casa Manila in Intramuros. Isuzu said the club was formed to provide its customers an avenue where they can enjoy the best of automotive services, privileges and activities the company can offer. Isuzu executive vice president Kazuhiko Sho said the formation of the club was a response to their customer’s needs and concerns.

Apparently a marketing tool for the truckmaker, the creation of the Trooper Club is in line with Isuzu’s "Customer Satisfaction No.1" company policy, as Sho himself said in a speech. Isuzu believes the club will provide increased levels of satisfaction to its customers by identifying their needs and catering to their wants. The club is also a way for Isuzu to thank customers for patronizing their products, and of course, to hopefully make these people stay as customers. A marketing initiative, the club clearly is.

Not surprisingly then only those customers who bought their Troopers from official Isuzu dealers can join the club. Which may mean none of those Subic-sourced Bighorns or Jackaroos can be found on any of the club’s future gatherings or activities. Also, Troopers from model years 1997 to 2002 are the "target participants," as written in the club literature. As in any club, exclusivity is an issue here also.

As with any other auto clubs too, here Trooper owners are assured of technical information and assistance, the chance to join social and auto-related activities, as well as supporting civic programs like the Clean and Green campaign. Sho pointed out the club may also provide social connections for its members.

Of course, the star of the club is the Trooper — and rightfully so. The Trooper, despite gaining a few middle-aged bulges courtesy of various body claddings, has remained one of the most distinctive Japanese sport-utes around. Its boxy shape pokes a finger in the eye of current sport-ute styling of curves, angles and more curves. The Trooper’s lines mean business. Its interiors, meanwhile, are luxurious in a tasteful sort of way, while the vehicle’s performance has proven itself through the years. The Trooper’s current Skyroof package is…well, talk about open skies policy. It simply is an awesome feature in a great vehicle.

Besides all the stuff Isuzu and its customers will get from it, the best thing about the club, though, is it lets car guys hang out with car guys who drive Troopers. The lavish eat-drink-and-be-merry parties ain’t a bad deal either.