Isuzu PH suits up to customer demands with the latest SUV, pickup variants

FOR OVER a decade, the 4JJ1-TC Isuzu Philippines’ 3- liter common rail direct injection, turbocharged diesel engine, powered the company’s top-of-the-line models.

Being the epitome of power, reliability and fuel efficiency, this 144-horsepower (maximum torque at 294 Newton-meters) engine was even fitted on the second-generation D-Max pickup truck when it was launched here in September 2013.

But to keep up with changing regulations and with the emergence of new technologies, Isuzu had to develop new engines that evolved with the times.

The result was the introduction of the 4JK1-TCX, a 2.5-liter common rail direct injection, variable geometry-equipped turbocharged diesel engine (134 HP but with 320 Nm maximum torque),to power the current D-Max and mu-X sport utility vehicle.

Growing market

According to Isuzu Motors Ltd. (Japan) board director and managing executive offi- cer Kazuhiko Ito, the addition of new and powerful variants for the Philippines only high- lights the fact that the country is the only one in the Asean re- gion that has a growing LCV (light commercial vehicle) market.

“This strengthened our inten- tion to further develop our products for the Philippine mar- ket. We introduced these new variants with the belief that these products will better serve the needs of our valued Filipino customers,” Ito said.

Based on the combined re- port released by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and the Truck Manufacturers Association, IPC sold 16,326 units from January to Septem- ber, cornering 8 percent of the country’s commercial vehicle market. In comparison, the company delivered 9,963 units during the same period in 2014.

Propelling IPC’s market posi- tion is the sales of its SUV mod- el. From January to September, the company reportedly sold 8,068 units of the mu-X, making it the top-selling model of Isuzu in the country.

Likewise, 2,220 units of the D-Max pickups and 3,029 units of the Crosswind Asian utility vehicle were sold.

Top position

Isuzu’s Category III N-Series light-duty trucks, which have led the segment for 16 consecu- tive years, are set to keep their top position again this year, with sales from January to September reaching 2,187 units to command a 61-percent mar- ket share.

Also from January to Septem- ber this year, Isuzu sold 913 units in the Category IV trucks and buses, and 155 units in the Category V heavy-duty trucks category.

According to IPC, the increase in sales of the company’s heavy- duty trucks is due to the recent introduction of their new C&E Series trucks in the market.

The Isuzu D-Max and mu-X with the 3-liter engine are now available at all Isuzu dealer- ships nationwide in a variety of colors.

Six colors

SHOWING full support for the newly launched 3-liter equipped mu-X are (from left) IPC VP for sales DaisukeInaba,IPCSVPforsalesArthurBalmadrid,IPCEVPTakashiTomita,MitsubishiCorp.GMfor Isuzu sales division Ken Takashima, IPC president Hajime Koso, Isuzu Motors operations (Thailand) executive officer Toru Kishimoto, and Isuzu Motors Ltd. managing executive officer Kazuhiko Ito.

The Isuzu mu-X is available in six colors: splash white, cos- mic black, titanium silver aqua blue, outback brown and silky pearl white. Prices for the 3- liter variants will be P1.708 million for the automatic 4×4 LS-A and P1.398 million for the automatic 4×2 LS-A variant (an additional P10,000 for the silky pearl white color).

Meanwhile, venetian red was added to the current colors of the D-Max (cosmic black, gar- net red, titanium silver, and splash white). Prices for the 3- liter variants will be P1.43 mil- lion for the automatic 4×4 LS, P1.36 million for the manual 4×4 LS, P1.16 million for the automatic 4×2 LS, and P1.09 million for the manual 4×2 LS variant.

With a beefed up lineup, IPC says it is now targeting to corner 20 percent of the market, a huge improvement from its cur- rent 15 percent share. (Based on current Campi data, Isuzu ranks No. 4 behind Toyota, Ford and Nissan.)

According to IPC SVP for sales Art Balmadrid, the market would surely appreciate the 4JJ1-TC (HI)-powered D-Max and mu-X, as both have an en- gine that quickly responds even at low speed. “Thanks to a turbocharger equipped with a variable geometry system, the so-called ‘turbo lag’ or the acceleration delay that occurs after pushing on the accelerator during low speed drive is elimi- nated. Drivers would surely appreciate the improved responsiveness.”

Balmadrid also added that the new 3-liter variants boast of premium features like new LED daytime running lamps that in- creases the vehicle’s conspicuity.

Moreover, the new 3-liter D- Max LS features a new tailgate-mounted reverse camera that automatically activates when the driver engages the reverse gear (the view of the rear is projected on the dash-mounted 7-inch touchscreen).