Isuzu Philippines Maintains Truck Market Leadership in 2009

According to the combined official figures released by the Truck Manufacturers Association of the Philippines and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc., Isuzu trucks again outsold the competition in 2009, as it had the previous 11 straight years.

Last year, Isuzu’s N-Series light-duty trucks sold a total of 996 units, or 56.8 percent of Category 3 of the commercial vehicle segment. Isuzu’s medium-duty trucks, including the Forward, were just as dominant, selling 232 units for 57.9 percent of Category 4. Read more

Isuzu Philippines Corp Marks 1st Anniversary, Success of Auto Mechanic Training Center

The challenging year of 2009 is not entirely devoid of inspiring and positive stories. Isuzu Philippines Corp. and Isuzu Auto Parts Manufacturing Corp. helped celebrate the first anniversary of the TESDA Auto Mechanic training Center in Tacloban, Leyte, which Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan funded. The project — which is part of Isuzu Japan’s “Heart And Smile” corporate social responsibility campaign — formally opened in 2008 with the aim of providing expert and subsidized automotive training to select underprivileged youth.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority bestowed also in 2009 an award to Isuzu in recognition of its philanthropic contributions to the project. Acknowledging the award, Isuzu Motors Limited chairman Yoshinori Ida said, “Isuzu will continue its generous support of the project and work closely with TESDA in ensuring the progress of all scholars because the company believes in the young people being the foundation of a strong Philippine economy in the future.”

“It is our sincere hope that these bright and hardworking young people will be valuable members not just of the automotive industry but also of the Philippine society in the future,” said IPC president Keiji Takeda. “We expect nothing from them in return except their pledge to positively use the technical knowledge and expertise that they will get from the program.”

In photo, Isuzu chairman Yoshinori Ida (1st row, standing 7th from left) joins Plan Phils and TESDA officials together with the Isuzu scholars in celebrating the auto mechanic training center’s first anniversary.

Motolite Bags Isuzu Zero-Delay Award

Recognizing its reliability as an OE (original equipment) supplier for local automotive manufacturing companies, Oriental-Motolite Marketing Corporation was the recipient of a “Zero-Delay” Award from Isuzu Philippines Corporation. The award was given during the Isuzu Supplier Conference and Christmas Party held last November 20, at Manila Southwoods in Carmona, Cavite.

Because of Just-in-Time manufacturing practices imposed by Japanese car manufacturers, the “Zero-Delay” award is a highly-valued recognition of Motolite’s capability to maintain timely deliveries based on the production schedule imposed by Isuzu. For the whole year of 2008, Motolite was able to deliver Isuzu’s automotive battery requirements according to schedule. This is the second consecutive year that Motolite has received the “Zero-Delay” Award for its excellent delivery performance.

Motolite automotive batteries are designed using state-of-the art technology and are manufactured under the strictest standards. Motolite batteries carry the assurance of trusted dependability and long service life, as well as reliable performance even in extreme road and driving conditions. They also have patented Tropicalized® technology to withstand our hot weather. Read more

Isuzu Philippines Offers Assistance to Typhoon-Hit Vehicle Owners

Isuzu Philippines Corp., the world’s leading utility and lifestyle vehicle line, has launched a calamity assistance program that gives customers a 30-percent discount on parts and related labor charges.

“Isuzu is one with the country in these truly challenging times,” said IPC executive vice president Yuki Kato. “We would like our clients to know that we will extend all the assistance they may require to get their Isuzu vehicles back on the road.”

Under this program, Isuzu is providing a 30-percent discount on parts including engine, transmission, drivetrain, ECM/TCM, body panels, doors and electrical parts but excluding batteries and accessories. The same discount applies on labor charges for repair, replacement, installation and overhauling of the mentioned parts. Read more

Isuzu Philippines Unveils New 2009 D-MAX Variants

There has never been a better time to buy a pickup than now. That’s because Isuzu Philippines Corp., assembler of world-class and award-winning diesel-powered vehicles, has just introduced two new variants of the D-MAX pickup for 2009. The pair of the new LS and the Boondock II now boast features previously only found on higher-end trims. The new features make the tough D-MAX stunning as well.

For the 2009 D-MAX LS, the following upgrades have been made: installation of new side stepboards with anti-slip rubber (only for the 4×2); change of door insert material from sports jersey to leatherette; change of seat material from sports jersey to black leather; switch to a more modern audio head unit (JVC KD G845); and addition of two-eye back-up sensors. Read more

Isuzu Philippines Still Optimistic Amid Crisis

Isuzu Philippines Corp. is bracing for a slight dip in its sales target for 2009 because of the global crisis, which is also bringing about shifts in strategy to boost its maintenance and repairs services, a top executive said.

At the same, Isuzu also has to deal with imported surplus trucks that are hurting sales of its assembled truck line up in the Philippines.

Keiji Takeda, Isuzu Philippines president, told a roundtable at The Manila Times on Friday that the company this year expects to sell only about 9,000 units. That is lower than its total sales of 10,101 in 2008.

“Last year was a good year,” he said, adding that it was the first time in four years that the company exceeded the 10,000 unit-sales mark. Read more

Isuzu Philippines Introduces New Medium-Duty Truck

Isuzu Philippines Corp. is equipping Filipino entrepreneurs with a hardworking vehicle that properly addresses the evolving demands of the modern times. Recently, IPC introduced the all-new Isuzu Forward (also known as F-Series) medium-duty truck.

The name “Forward” is being used by Isuzu in the Philippine market for the first time.

“Forward connotes progress, advancement, leadership, innovation and the future,” said IPC president Keiji Takeda. “The name expresses Isuzu’s commitment to its customers that it will always get them ‘One Step Ahead’ of the competition.” Read more

Isuzu Philippines Holds Customer Test Drives for Alterra 2009

Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) has boosted their vehicle sales campaign with opportunities to test-drive the 2009 Alterra around Metro Manila.

The ‘2009 Alterra Customer Test-drive’ held recently at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, where IPC held a two-day run. The activity then moved to an open field at Bonifacio Global City.

“We are offering test drives for the Alterra in response to reports that a big bulk of sales happen after customers were allowed to drive the vehicles. With this information, we decided to hold the test drive activities to further reach out to customers and show them what Isuzu has to offer,” said Myrna Valle-Gonzales, IPC asst. division manager, dealer network. Read more

Isuzu D-Max Places in 2009 Dakar Rally

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. Read more

Isuzu Redefines Luxury with the 2009 Alterra

In these days of economic adversity, many carmakers cut costs by scaling down features of their vehicle models or they hope to ride out the crisis by just keeping what they have. Such is not the case at Isuzu Philippines Corp. The diesel authority firmly believes that customers are won and kept by continuously improving their line of product offerings.

It is with this belief that Isuzu has launched the 2009 Alterra midsize sport-utility vehicle. Already an excellent product—with thousands of satisfied owners since its launch in May 2005—the new Alterra is now even better, receiving more value-for-money features that are sure to impress in these times of moderation.

For 2009, the Isuzu Alterra will be available in new body colors. There’s the limited monotone color, Starry Black. Other monotone colors are the Omega White Pearl and Sterling Silver. For two-tone color combinations, the Alterra will be offered in Starry Black, Chardonnay Gold, Nautilus Blue and Nebula Gray. Read more

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