IPC PRESIDENT Izumina (center) leads the ceremonial toast during the 2014 Isuzu Truck Fest Manila. Joining the ceremony are (from left) IPC SVP for sales Balmadrid, Isuzu Motors Ltd. VP for Global CV Engineering Center Masahisa Kitamura, IPC EVP Tomita and Mitsubishi Corp.’s general manager for Isuzu division-Asean department Ken Takashima.
When most people talk about the economy, we tend to think of agriculture, mining, construction, banking, automotive, as well as food and beverage. While we know of their importance, we often forget the not-so-obvious things that make them tick, or how their products and services get where they need to be.
“If goods are not getting transported to and fro, it means factories are not producing, and the demand from the consumer or business is not met. No deliveries means there is nothing to sell and nothing to buy. Simply put, if trucks are not rolling, the economy is not moving. That is something to think about every time you see these delivery vans and trailer trucks driving down expressways,” said Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) senior vice president Arthur Balmadrid during the recent 2014 Truck Fest Manila event held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
The 2014 Truck Fest Manila paraded IPC’s wide range of truck products in the hope of attracting more businesses to rely on these brand-new, high-quality and environmentally conscious trucks and buses.
“Long haul, as well as 24/7 delivery service, is all about durability and dependability, both when it comes to the driver and the vehicle. This is why we have built our trucks and buses that meet and even exceed maximum payload and comfort, since we know that on long or round-the-clock drives, we need a truck or bus to rely on,” said Balmadrid.
Tremendous increase
“The past few years have shown a tremendous increase in the sales of trucks and buses, with growth rates going past 30 percent, not only for Isuzu but for the entire auto industry,” said IPC president Nobuo Izumina. “It is no coincidence that during this period, we also saw the growth of the economy, placing the Philippines among the strongest in Asia. This is proof that the truck and bus segment plays a key role in nation-building. Isuzu rises to this challenge by providing world-class trucks and buses that are suited to the needs of all Filipino businesses.”
THE ISUZU dump truck on display
Izumina added that without the trucks, as well as the buses, the economy would come to a standstill. “We are happy that here in the Philippines, Isuzu has been the most trusted brand when it comes to trucks, as clearly seen in the performance of our N-Series, which has been the country’s best-selling light-duty truck for 15 consecutive years.”
During the event, IPC presented 24 Isuzu truck models, each designed for a specific business purpose. Included were the NHR55 school bus and aluminum van, NKR71 composite/aluminum van, NPR71 fire truck, aerial platform and aluminum van, NQR71 telescopic and articulated crane, drop side and aluminum van, FRR90 drop side and aluminum van with side door, FVR34 dump truck and garbage compactor, FVM34 drop side and 28-footer wing van, 12.5-cubic-meter-CYZ51 dump truck, EXR51 tractor with 30-kiloliter fuel tanker, a D-Max Flexiqube, and two I-Van variants in 16- and 18-seater UV Express shuttles.
Center stage
Taking center stage during the event were the CYZ and EXR heavy-duty trucks, which belong to Category-V (trucks weighing over 15 tons) segment.
With a rated gross vehicle weight ranging from 30,700 to 33,000 kilograms, the P5.6-million CYZ trucks could be configured as a dump truck and are meant to target local government units, mining firms as well as construction companies.
The P7.5-million EXR trucks, with a rated gross vehicle weight of 45,000 kilograms, could be configured as tanker and are meant to target oil companies.
Like the CYZ, the EXR is powered by an Isuzu 15.3-liter 6WF1-TCC diesel engine that generates 385 horsepower (Euro II compliant). It features an aerodynamic cab design as well as an optimal ground clearance that makes it capable of tackling extreme terrain.
Turnover
During the event, Izumina led the ceremony that turned over brand-new CYZ and EXR trucks to its first buyers. Receiving the EXR trucks were Alexander Yu, president and CEO of Pan Pacific Petrofuels; Barnett So, president of Rephil Station Inc.; and Gumersindo Ilagan III, vice president of GITC Supply Solutions. Receiving the CYZ is Ismaelito Altamiro, vice president of 1st Balfour Inc.
Izumina said the new purchases indicate that IPC is on track to surpass or at least match the company’s 2013 truck sales of 2,682 units. For the first five months of 2014, IPC already sold 1,130 trucks.
“We are aiming to achieve a 50- to 60-percent market share in the heavy-duty truck category by next year,” IPC assistant sales division head Joseph Bautista said, adding that IPC currently holds 20 percent of the segment.
“As business-oriented individuals, we would like to worry less about logistics and focus more on growth. Developments are happening fast and all at the same time, and we often miss opportunities when we encounter operational problems that slow us down. Isuzu offers the solution to business needs, with each model thoughtfully designed to cater to every requirement,” said IPC EVP Takashi Tomita.
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