Isuzu D-MAX amazes Cebuanos in 4x4 Drive Series

MANILA, Philippines - After successfully kicking off the 2014 Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 Drive Series in San Fernando, Pampanga, the Isuzu D-MAX off-road driving event next went on to impress Cebuanos with its staging in Mandaue, Cebu last May 9 to 11.

This year’s initial leg of the Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 Drive Series saw hundreds of Pampangenos trooping over to a specially configured off-road track where they experienced the remarkable all-terrain driving performance of Isuzu’s highly popular pickup model. Designed to bolster the growth of the four-wheel-drive pickup sector in the country as well as to serve the rapidly increasing popularity of outdoor recreational activities among Filipinos, the off-road activity drew the attention of consumers, especially pickup lovers and off-road enthusiasts.

The Cebu staging of the drive series proved to be useful to locals of the Queen City of the South. Because of their first-hand experience at tackling the various off-road driving exercises, the participants were able to easily learn many techniques required in maximizing the advantages afforded by four-wheel drive vehicles. 

This knowledge is particularly relevant to Cebuanos, who reside in areas characterized by narrow coastlines, rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges. And even in towns that lie in the flatlands, the terrain is not always paved or easily traversed.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation Executive Vice President Takashi Tomita said in his special message, “After the first run of the D-MAX 4x4 Drive Series in Pampanga, I am very excited to be here for the Cebu leg of our D-MAX 4x4 Drive Series, which will run in different areas in the Philippines:  Pampanga, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and of course, the dynamic province of Cebu.  We chose Cebu because of the strong contribution of Cebuanos to the overall sales performance of the Isuzu D-MAX since its first launch in 2003.”

The local landscape is what’s duplicated by the specifically designed track of the Cebu leg of the Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 Drive Series. The obstacles included a 40-degree hill climb done in first and second gear; a 40-degree hill climb with a stall midway up; a 40-degree descent without braking; a lateral climb mount; driving over “elephant holes;” tackling trail ruts; camber right and camber left sides up in 40-degree angles; traversing a roundabout cone; a lateral descent ditch crossing; driving over cross axle articulation rails; and going on a steel-inclined plane with rollers. Teaching participants the techniques needed to take on the trail were off-road driving experts.

After the Cebu leg, the 2014 Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 Drive Series moves to Bacolod City on May 23 to 25; travels to Cagayan de Oro City on June 6 to 8; and culminates in Davao City on June 20 to 22.