Isuzu PH targets bigger share of PH pickup truck market

The local arm of Japanese automotive manufacturer Isuzu is targeting to widen the grasp of the Philippine pickup truck market this year, following the introduction of the all-new version of their well-loved D-Max.

During a recent virtual presser, Isuzu Vice president for sales Yasuhiko Oyama said that they are now eyeing to have firm hold of the market by taking 15 percent from the segment’s annual sales “no matter the total sales figures would be.”

The executive for Isuzu’s local distributor made such bold target, expressing confidence on the newly-launch D-Max.

Without revealing the exact figures, Oyama said that the Isuzu D-Max took eight percent share of the market during the disaster-riddled 2020.

Now on its third-generation, the D-Max wears more technological advances compared to its predecessor. To name a few, the latest iteration for the nameplate is now powered by an enhanced 3.0-Liter 4JJ3-TCX and RZ4E-TC engine. The higher-spec 4JJ3-TCX engine is capable of providing 20 horsepower more than its 3.0 liter predecessor—from 167 horsepower to 187 hp.

It now sports a slender figure, dropping the meaty aesthetics that it was previously known for.

Its lifestyle offerings are fitted with a 4.2 inch high-definition TFT-LCD MID display screen and 10.1 inch Full Touchscreen Monitor with Apple Car Play, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and Aux-in, Offline Navigation and Inclinometer.

For safety, the all-new Isuzu D-Max has Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution with Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control-Traction Control System, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control and a Brake Override System.

Further, the top-of-the-line variant is equipped with Advance Driver Assist System (ADAS) technology— such as Forward Collision Warning, Turn Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Manual Speed Limiter, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Parking Aid, Multi Collision Brake, and Pedal Misapplication system.

Moreover the all-new Isuzu D-Max is being offered at the following introductory prices:  

• D-MAX RZ4E 4X2 Single Cab MT: P857,000
• D-MAX RZ4E 4X2 LT MT:  P987,000
• D-MAX 3.0L 4X4 LT MT: P1.288 million
• D-MAX RZ4E 4X2 LS MT: P1.219 million
• D-MAX RZ4E 4X2 LS AT: P1.309 million
• D-MAX 3.0L 4X2 LS MT: P1.32 million
• D-MAX 3.0L 4X2 LS-A AT: P1.39 million
• D-MAX 3.0L 4X4 LS MT: P1.63 million
• D-MAX 3.0L 4x4 LS-E AT: P 1.825 million

With Ford Philippines also pushing for their revamped Ranger line, along with other contenders such as Mazda to bring the BT-50 soon and vehicle distributors shaping up as the economy is slowly regaining its strength, the utilitarian pick-up truck segment will surely be pretty exciting.

On related developments, Oyama also shared that the all-new D-Max—which will now be coming from Thailand (in contrast to the previous years when the pick-up was locally manufactured)—will have an additional P123,400 on top of the down payment as part of the Safeguard Tax measure.  

Photos from Isuzu Philippines Corporation

Also read:

Isuzu PH broke 300k-sales landmark last month

Here is the upcoming Isuzu D-Max Boondock 4x4

Isuzu Rolls Out New D-Max LS-A Variant