(Blue) Powering the Future

In a 2016 study conducted by global information provider Ken Research, the logistics sector is seen to grow, fueled by the continued economic growth as well as rising consumer spending in the Philippines. In fact, it’s seen to grow at a compounded rate of 6.8 percent annually until 2020. The bullish outlook in this industry means that there’s a huge demand for high-quality, dependable trucks. As the backbone to a strong and vibrant logistics network, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) is betting on its formidable truck line-up to fulfill any commercial vehicle requirement.

In time for their 20th anniversary, IPC unveiled its newest diesel engine line-up: Blue Power. As the government mandates a shift from Euro 2 to Euro 4 emissions, IPC heads the call by launching this engine series that delivers four key traits: maximum engine output, low emissions, best fuel economy, and excellent durability.

Already the country’s bestselling light-duty truck, IPC showed off the all-new 2018 N-Series. Featuring a new “Hexa-Pod” cab design, the N-Series is now made to look more solid, clean, and emotional. This new design also lends to a vast improvement in interior space compared to the previous model as well as improved aerodynamics. It’s also made safer with its reinforced chassis frame and more convenient with features such as automatic door locks and power windows.

Powering the 2018 N-Series is a range of Euro 4-compliant four-cylinder common-rail direct-injection diesel engines of varying displacements and outputs: the 3.0-liter 4JH1-TC with 106hp and 230Nm of torque (NLR77); 3.0-liter 4JJ1-TC with 124hp and 354Nm (NLR85, NMR85, NPR85); and the 5.2-liter 4HK1-TCN with 153hp and 419Nm (NQR75).

Moving up to the medium-duty F-Series, IPC has adopted a unique grille and bumper treatment to distinguish the larger FVR and FVM models against its smaller FRR and FSR siblings. For 2018, the bigger F-Series trucks get a high-gloss black grille and bumper. And like the N-Series, the F-Series gets a reinforced chassis frame and automatic door locks and power windows for 2018.

Under the hood of the F-Series is either a four- or six-cylinder Euro 4-compliant common-rail direct-injection diesel engine. The smallest FRR90 gets a 4HK1-TCC with 190hp and 510Nm of torque while the FSR34, FVR34, FVM34, and FVM34 LWB nets a 7.8-liter 6-cylinder in two states of tune: 240hp and 706Nm (6HK1-TCN), and 280hp and 882Nm (6HK1-TCS).

Finally, Isuzu’s heavy-duty truck range, the C and E-Series doesn’t get left out this 2018. It features a quick-access panel upfront and an electronic tilting cab for easier serving and anti-lock brakes (ABS) for added safety.

Powering these vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) ranging from 20,000 to 41,000 kilograms, is the Euro V-compliant 6WG1-TCR engine. Tuned for higher torque at low speeds due to the increased engine displacement and modified turbocharger, it now nets 400hp and an earth-moving 1,863Nm of torque from its immense 15.7-liter displacement.

“This country has become our second home and gave us the wings to soar higher than what we were 20 years back. We are looking forward to 20 years and more. To our loyal partners, may you continue to put your trust on us and we promise that we will be finding more ways to meet your expectations,” said IPC President Hajime Koso.

Furthering their commitment to the logistics sector, IPC showed off their newest service, Mimamori. Literally translated as “Watcher,” Mimamori is a commercial vehicle telematics service developed by Isuzu Motors Japan for monitoring and tracking commercial vehicle operations and movements. Initially launched in Japan in 2004, Mimamori is now available in Thailand (2010), the United Kingdom (2012), Singapore (2012), and Indonesia (2015).

The service uses GPS satellite tracking services and provides driver activity logs such as how long the driver was on duty and how much time was spent driving. It also records when the driver took breaks, where the truck stopped and for how long, how economical is his driving, and when the driver logged off for his shift.

Some of the main features of the Mimamori system include the Data Transfer Unit (DTU) which interfaces with the truck’s ECU (all Euro IV and Euro V Isuzu trucks have a computer box) and a Controller unit that sends real-time vehicle alerts and even text messages from the office or dispatch office via a DIN-space mounted device.

Isuzu Philippines hopes to roll out the Mimamori service in 2018. Currently, it’s undergoing road testing in both Luzon and Visayas.

All in all, IPC is bullish about their continued growth across all market segments. “We are hoping yet we are confident that the Philippines will continue to patronize the brand with these substantial changes that we have introduced,” Koso said. “We believe that these game changers are surely to hit it big in the local automotive industry.”