Motoring 2014: Isuzu sustains a positive growth outlook

THE MU-X’S bold chrome grille, chiseled lines and eye-catching silhouette is a visual match for the latest crop of SUVs

DESPITE the more aggressive stance of its competitors in rolling out newly upgraded models in the market, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) remained undaunted throughout this year. Instead, it stayed on top of its game, having earned a good reputation in harsh on- and off-road conditions.

Banking on the rising demand for trucks, and on the resiliency of its three best-selling models, IPC kept a positive outlook for growth.

Thus, the local market saw this reliable automaker unveil the mu-X SUV, its latest in sport utility vehicles; the Crosswind XT Limited Edition, an Asian utility vehicle; the all-new D-max X-Series pickup; and two trucks in the heavy duty category (P5.6 CYZ dump truck and P7.5 million EXR fuel tanker) in the second half of 2014.

IPC revealed as of end-January a 15,000-vehicle target mark for its sales, up 27 percent from 11,793 units sold the previous year.

Off to a good start, IPC sales began picking up around May and eventually hitting an relatively exceptional 11.7 percent growth totaling 1,998 units sold within the January-June period, driven mainly by the increased demand for the all-new D-Max pickup.

The noticeable increase in demand, however, was also attributed by IPC president Nobuo Izumina to “the recent credit upgrade that the Philippines received” in July, emphasizing its significant effect on local consumer spending that mostly benefited the local automotive industry.

This remarkable development came with the climb in IPC’s sales in the truck segment: a 26.5 percent increase in Category III, and a 19.1 percent rise in Category IV.

In the third quarter, Isuzu launched its latest offering in the pickup category, thus rolling off the D-Max X-Series at Metrowalk Tent in Pasig City.

Fit for fast-paced lifestyles

Aimed at the “millennial” or members of the “Generation Y,” this model was designed to suit the taste and requirements of the hip, young and active individuals whose fast-paced lifestyle involved a lot of social media interaction.

Most suitable for the urban jungles landscape, the new Isuzu D-Max X-Series variant is available for the Isuzu D-Max LS 4X2 with both manual and automatic transmission.

Similarly, nine years after its continuous presence and contention in the market, Alterra, Isuzu’s sport utility vehicle with ample passenger room and a huge cargo area, was eventually replaced by the mu-X in September.

Though mu-X shares an identical ladder frame chassis, side silhouette and interior styling with Chevy Trailbrazer, it still differs in its overall look and performance.

Having its own drivetrain developed by the Japanese automaker, mu-X has a truck-based engine and has a minimum expected cycle of 500,000 km.

Its 2.5-liter diesel engine, however, was downgraded to 10 HP less than the one it replaced but it made up for its pulling power—an additional 24Nm of torque featuring an engine equipped with an inter-cooled Variable Geometry System (VGS) turbocharger.

It is a next-generation turbo-charging technology that employs movable vanes, the angle of which could be changed throughout the engine’s revolutions-per-minute range to optimize the overall efficiency of the turbines.

In a nutshell, the airflow generates more boostsm while he low speed torque was being maximized for fuel economy.

Great for city driving but also for the off-road anytime, mu-X is a four-wheel drive-equipped variant that features a selectable switch that allows the driver to switch between 2WD and 4WD at speeds of up to 100 kph.

Crosswind Sportivo, on the other hand, also got new upgrades, noticeably new headlights and front bumpers, new wheels and high-tech gadgets such as a navigation system.