Isuzu to launch 2 truck models

MANILA, Philippines - Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) is launching two truck models and the new D-Max pick-up next year, as it aims to achieve higher sales.

Arthur Balmadrid, IPC senior vice president for corporate business division told reporters the company is looking to introduce two category 4 truck models next year.

“We will launch the FRR truck in the first quarter, and the other one, the 10-wheeler truck, GVR, in the second-half of the year,” he said.

Both trucks, he said, are heavy-duty and can be used for deliveries.

He said IPC is also looking to introduce to the market the new D-Max next year.

“We may see it in the fourth quarter,” he said citing the demand for the pick-up is still very strong in Thailand.

Some minor changes to existing vehicle models, he said, may also be seen next year.

The launch of the new vehicles is seen to help support IPC’s higher sales next year.

Balmadrid said IPC is aiming to hit record-high sales of 13,000 units next year.

“We are very optimistic next year,” he said citing the country’s strong economic growth as well as robust growth in remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“OFWs are our major clients,” he said.

He said the strong economic performance can also support higher truck sales with businesses purchasing vehicles to be used for delivery of goods.

He said IPC initially wanted to hit record-high sales this year but sales in the first quarter were affected by supply problems caused by the heavy flooding in Thailand last year.

Despite supply problems in the first quarter, IPC expects to match the record sales of 12,000 units seen in 2003 this year.

“We might only reach 12,000 units which is still good,” Balmadrid said