To D-MAX in Thailand

MANILA, Philippines – The Thai people love their pickup trucks to the tune of some 200,000 units a year – just for the Isuzu brand alone, said Arthur Balmadrid, SVP for sales of Isuzu Philippines Corporation, at the welcome dinner in Bangkok, Thailand.

Remember that figure as we tell you the Philippine sales for passenger and commercial vehicles total some 160,000 combined. That’s all in, in fact. Thailand is ground zero for the D-MAX, that’s for sure. In fact, the country exports the D-MAX to some 100 countries.

So it was but appropriate for Balmadrid to last week lead a contingent from the Philippines in escorting the winners of the recently concluded “Off to the Isuzu D-MAX 4WD Camp.” Buyers of a D-MAX pickup from September 2 to December 31 last year were given raffle coupons for a chance to win a grand prize of an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the famous Isuzu 4X4 Land in Pattaya City. The sprawling 20-hectare property is the biggest proving ground for Isuzu’s four-wheel vehicles, and serves as a first-hand introduction to the off-road capability of the lineup.

On hand to welcome were local Isuzu Motors International Operations (Thailand) Company officials. Shigeyoshi Ueyama, GM for Asia/ASEAN and new market sales, observed that the Thai people generally love pickups because they “match the Thai lifestyle,” generally referring to agricultural goods needed to be brought to market.

Ueyama continued, “The D-MAX can accommodate their cargo, and it’s tough and fuel efficient.”

The Pinoy winners (and their lucky companions) were: Alvin Guinanao and Alexis Guinanao of Bacolod, John Marciales and Cheska Marciales of Kalibo, Doreen Rudes and Julia Strong of General Santos, JP Pardo and Pilar Pardo of General Santos, and Pepito Marcelo and Ofelia Marcelo of Pampanga. All of them didn’t need any convincing, of course. They were devoted D-MAX lovers.

Aside from the lucky winners, making the trip were other IPC officers Joseph Bautista (assistant sales division head), Timmy de Leon (corporate communications head), Rico Macalintal (dealer development head), and Maylene Gimutao (advertising supervisor). Journalists Pinky Colmenares (Manila Bulletin), Ron delos Reyes (Auto Review), Brian Afuang (Manila Times), Charles Buban (Philippine Daily Inquirer), and myself hopped on for the ride and road trip to Pattaya City to attend the briefing on how to handle the D-MAX over the challenging course. Before there was driving to be done, we had to darn well be sure how to do it.

The Isuzu 4X4 Land features 13 sections to spotlight the D-MAX’s myriad of capabilities. The goal, of course, was to show off the ease with which Thailand’s top-selling pickup D-MAX handled the trail.

A couple of rugged sections commenced the challenge – the latter one calling for a seriously disturbing three-wheel contact on the road. The D-MAX handled with aplomb – forgiving my inexperience even as I put it through the paces. I couldn’t even detect the three-wheel section as the D-MAX was sure-footed on the 4L mode. Observing it from the outside was a nightmare, though.

The deep-ditch portion called for smarts; we were instructed to take the section at an angle so that two wheels would not be mired in the ditch at the same time. Whew. That worked like a charm.

Past that ditch was a steep, 40-degree, 10-meter-high hill. The sensation one gets is kind of like a rollercoaster up an incline. Again, the D-MAX wasn’t skittish at the least, even if I was. Downward was a little tricky, and I had to fight my instinct to jam the brake pedal hard else I lock the wheels up. The tires provided enough grip to allay my fears though.

For the rocky section, our instructors told us to go at walking speed. Incidentally, when tackling difficult road conditions like this, it helps to let off a little air from the tires to increase the contact patch. It also helps to use common sense. Do not tempt the fates. Why should you take on a big hunk of rock when you know in your heart it’s trouble?

Far and away, the scariest part of the course is called the “balance beam.” Yes, it’s as intimidating as it sounds. You make your way up a metal incline – taking care to align your wheels on the beams – and then stop right before you fall off the other side. You wait as the incline seesaws to the other side, and then you drive off – with your sanity intact, if possible. My instructor had to correct my bearings as I almost forgot I was driving a right-hand-drive vehicle (the norm in Thailand). After I stopped the D-MAX and felt the beam tilt slowly forward to let us off, I felt a wave of relief shower me with little bunnies and candy canes and all the good stuff.

The muddy section was easy after that, as the D-MAX shrugged off the traction challenge with gusto. Sealing the deal was yet another 40-degree incline challenge – this time alternating the left and right side of the vehicle. Again, I had to conquer my fear of toppling over, and took comfort in the fact that this was the last obstacle before lunch.

One wonders what the developers of the Isuzu 4X4 Land were thinking when they conjured up this hellish course. Perhaps more importantly, what the hell were we thinking when we signed up for this?

Seriously though, aside from the palpable sense of accomplishment you get earning your stripes at this proving ground, you leave with newfound appreciation that your D-MAX isn’t just comfortable on flat, pristine surfaces. In fact, it’s a beast when pushed off the road.