The Isuzu D-Max has added the Dakar Rally to its impressive resumé, finishing 11th overall among 177 participating cars, which included such brands as Volkswagen, Hummer, BMW and Opel. Needless to say, the D-Max–piloted by Australian Bruce Garland and navigated by Japanese Harry Suzuki–was also the best diesel pickup in the 2009 staging of the world-famous off-road endurance race, held from January 3-18 across Argentina and Chile.

“The 2009 Dakar Rally covered a total distance of 9,500 kilometers, including 5,650 kilometers of special stages through sand dunes and rough terrains,” said Isuzu Operations Thailand president Ken Takashima. “This event is renowned for its harsh driving conditions that make for the ultimate proving ground for man and machine.”

This latest feat is part of the Isuzu Diesel Mission, which tapped the successful Australian rally team Garland Motor Sport to compete in three rally events to demonstrate Isuzu’s diesel expertise to the world. It aimed to prove that vehicles equipped with Isuzu diesel engines have speed, power, endurance and fuel economy.
The Dakar-spec Isuzu D-Max was a state-of-the-art road warrior. Under its hood was Isuzu’s tried-and-tested 4JJ1 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine mated to a special Holinger five-speed manual transmission featuring a low-range gear in the transfer case. Custom-made gold-plated shocks were provided by Murray Coote Australia, while the free-floating rear axle hubs were by Bosnjak.

To shave off body weight, the rear quarter panels, the doors and the hood were all made of carbon fiber. Other special parts of the Dakar Rally D-Max included ROH alloy wheels, Bridgestone tires, Motec dashboard, HIJDA rally trip meter, DBA disc brakes with four piston calipers, and a Bond roll cage.

Aside from the Dakar Rally, the two other rally events in which the Isuzu D-Max competed were the Australasian Safari and the UAE Desert Challenge.

“The Isuzu D-Max, which is already famous for its durability and fuel economy, has proven that it has the power to stand out in the toughest international rally event in the world,” added Takashima.

The Dakar Rally, for the first time in its 31-year history, was held outside of Europe and Africa due to terrorist threats, which already cancelled the staging of the 2008 edition of the much-awaited yearly event. Hence, the valiant Isuzu team overcame not just cruel driving conditions but also the danger of terrorist attacks. All in all, this was a sweet victory for both the machine and the dedicated men behind it.

Text and Photos from Isuzu Philippines Website

Tsikot.com Philippines

ISUZU Philippines Corp. has managed to successfully defend its throne as the leader in trucks and pickup sales during the first quarter of the year, according to official reports released by the Chamber of the Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA). Based on the figures, Isuzu trucks (F-Series and N-Series) and Global D-MAX pickup topped their respective categories in March and nowlead their classes for the January-March 2008 period.

The F-Series and the N-Series sold a combined total of 108 units for a leading market share of 77 percent and 66 percent, respectively. Isuzu light-duty trucks have dominated the segment for 11 consecutive years now. The Global D-MAX topped the pickup category by selling 287 units in March for a market share of 27 percent. The Global D-MAX was likewise the best-selling pickup in the market in February with sales of 258 units or a market share of 27 percent.

As a result, both Isuzu’s trucks and pickup now dominate the first-quarter sales total in their respective classes. From January to March, the F-Series and the N-Series have already sold a combined total of 267 units for an 86-percent and 67-percent market share, respectively, while the Global D-MAX has moved 741 units (26 percent) during the same period.

The news of Isuzu’s continued dominance comes as no surprise as the company has always been known to be the world-class producer of such excellent workhorses as the Crosswind AUV, the Alterra SUV, buses, Powertrain diesel engines and components, and the above-mentioned D-MAX pickup and F-Series and N-Series trucks. IPC has been a force to contend with in the Philippine commercial-vehicle segment for 11 years already.

“Our sales dominance in March and the first quarter of the year only confirms our strong position in the commercial-vehicle market,” said IPC President Keiji Takeda. “Nothing asserts an automaker’s status like the actual vote of confidence of satisfied consumers.”

Isuzu vehicles also dominated global markets last year. Based on actual sales figures compiled by Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan, the following Isuzu vehicles were tops in 2007: cab-over trucks in Japan (39 percent share); light-duty trucks (58 percent share) and heavy-duty buses (60 percent share) in Hong Kong; commercial vehicles in Malaysia (26 percent share) and Singapore (44 percent share); imported cab-over trucks in the United States (64 percent share); commercial vehicles in Australia (25 percent share), New Zealand (25 percent share) and Papua New Guinea (41 percent share); commercial vehicles in Iran (50 percent share), Ireland (34 percent share) and Israel (55 percent share); and pickups in Egypt (71 percent share).

Visit your nearest authorized Isuzu dealership today and check out one of its tried-and-tested commercial vehicles. You’ll understand why these vehicles have been dominating their categories, and how they can help your business dominate as well.

Isuzu Philippines Media Release

Tsikot.com Philippines

ISUZU Philippines Corp. is truly turning up the heat this scorching season by launching the “Global D-MAX Slam-Bang Summer” promo. Running from April 4 to 30, the promo is rewarding buyers of select variants of the Isuzu Global D-MAX with gift certificates, which may be used to pay for Isuzu service (labor) and to buy Isuzu parts.

The D-MAX variants included in the promo are: D-MAX 4×2 LT M/T (with P25,000 worth of gift certificates); D-MAX 4×2 LS M/T (P20,000); D-MAX 4×4 LS M/T (P20,000); D-MAX 4×4 LS A/T (P20,000); Isuzu Passenger Van (P20,000); D-MAX 4×2 LS A/T (P10,000); and D-MAX 4×2 LX A/T (P10,000). Aside from Isuzu parts and service, the gift certificates—which come in P5,000 denominations—can be used for insurance, registration, chattel mortgage, rust proofing, or vehicle purchase discount from any Isuzu dealer.

Valid for one year from the issuance date, the GCs are not convertible to cash but are transferable. If a service or item paid for using a GC costs less than the certificate’s face value, no monetary change shall be given to the customer but the remaining balance shall remain valid for the next transaction. The certificates shall also be used to pay for the suggested retail price, not the discounted one. Best of all, taxes on the gift certificates shall be shouldered by IPC.

Isuzu’s summer promo comes at a most appropriate time, offering the very best deals that give the very best value for money while anticipating forthcoming major expenditures for educational fees as the new school year is about to commence in June. With Isuzu’s promotional gift certificates, peripheral parts and labor expenses need not eat into their kids’ educational funds.

Special D-MAX variants—like the Boondock Limited Edition—are not included in the promo. All 20 of Isuzu’s authorized dealerships are participating in the “Global D-MAX Slam-Bang Summer” promo. Visit your nearest Isuzu dealer before April 30 and take advantage of summer’s hottest offering.

In Metro Manila, Isuzu showrooms can be found on EDSA (Balintawak), Quezon Avenue, Commonwealth, Pasig, Manila, Makati and Alabang. In the provinces, Isuzu dealers are located in Isabela, Pangasinan, Cabanatuan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, San Pablo, Bacolod, Iloilo, Mandaue, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. You may also log on to www.isuzuphil.com for further updates on this latest D-MAX promo.

Isuzu Philippines Source

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