Isuzu cuts sales growth target to 5% due to supply problems

MANILA, Philippines - Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) has revised its yearend sales growth target to only five percent due to supply problems.

At the sidelines of yesterday’s launch of its new i-van, Isuzu Philippines senior vice president Arthur Balmadrid said they are currently operating at 80 percent capacity but expect normal operations by next month. The earthquake and tsunami in Eastern Japan has resulted in operational difficulties for Isuzu’s Japan-based operations.

Balmadrid reported that for May and June, Isuzu’s local manufacturing plant had to be shut down for two weeks for both months. All Isuzu vehicles sold here except for the Altera are manufactured in the Philippines.

In spite of the supply shortage, Balmadrid said that their good inventory has allowed them to manage their back orders to only 20 percent.

Balmadrid said they have decided to revise their original yearend sales target of 12,500 units to a minimum of 11,000 units because month on month sales have gone down by as much as 20 percent.

On the upside, Balmadrid said that sales have rebounded this month. As of the third week July, sales have already reached more than 800 units, a vast improvement from sales of more than 600 units in June.

Balmadrid said that was the worse monthly sales figure they have seen. On the average they sell 800 to 900 units per month.

Balmadrid said that 50 percent of their sales is still the Crosswind.

Meanwhile, Isuzu launched the new Isuzu NHR w/ i-van body option, a comfortable vehicle that can seat 12 or 16 or even 18 full-sized adults and can even accommodate cargo of 1.5 tons. Powered by the proven 2.8-liter 4JB1-TC with intercooler diesel engine, the NHR commands 91 ps power and 20.0 kg-m of torque, thanks in part to Isuzu’s tried and tested direct-injection technology.

The Isuzu NHR has 3-point emergency locking retractor seat belt; fuel lid with key lock; highly rigid frame; 2-jet nozzle with intermittent wiper; 90-degree door opening for easy ingress and egress; anti-slip aluminum step; power steering and tilting; all-around visibility, laminated green wind shield glass; and, large side view mirrors. Ride is made more passenger-friendly with the improved flex-ride suspension to swing the ride balance toward comfort.

The Isuzu NHR w/i-VAN body option are available in different applications: passenger van, cargo van, school bus, and ambulance, among other variants.