MANILA, Philippines - They have been the Philippines’ best-selling light-duty trucks for 13 consecutive years, according to combined figures released by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association, and one of the top factors that contribute to this status is their fuel-efficiency.
Last June 30, diesel expert Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) set out to prove once again the unmatched capacity of its N-Series light-duty trucks by staging a fuel economy contest. With the results logged by the participants, the event further stressed that the N-Series models are not only reliable but are extremely fuel-efficient, too, making them ideal business partners.
“The Isuzu N-Series has proven, for more than a decade now, that it can be a trusted workhorse, competently serving the transportation requirements of numerous businesses in the country,” said IPC President Ryoji Yamazaki. “As an Isuzu, its reliability, durability and fuel-efficient qualities truly help in literally moving the Philippine economy forward,” Yamazako added.
Invited to join the event were fleet customers who have been relying on the Isuzu brand for their business needs, and who have opted to use their respective companies’ N-Series trucks in the contest. A driver and a navigator in each of the 16 trucks that competed took off from IPC’s headquarters in Binan, Laguna, headed toward Filinvest Alabang via the South Luzon Expressway, turned around to go to the STAR Tollway in Batangas, and finally made their way to Paseo de Santa Rosa. In the 200-km route that traversed real-world conditions, the participants were tasked to drive safely and to adhere to all traffic regulations while attempting to record the best fuel mileage possible.
Competing in categories that were defined by the N-Series model used—NHR, NKR, NPR and NQR—each team’s result was verified by Automobile Association of the Philippines Executive Assistant for Advocacy Cynthia Reyes, who checked the vehicles’ fueling procedures at Caltex Paseo de Santa Rosa. The vehicles were filled with Caltex Diesel with Techron D.
In the NHR category, the pair of Angelito Diaz and Ricardo Rada of Filbrakes Manufacturing Corp. led with a result of 16.07 Km/L. They were followed by Gongonio Ferrer and Monchito Pamaduan of AJS General Merchandise with 15.54 Km/L, and Roel Andaya and Allan Basco of PLDT with 15.41 Km/L.
Topping the NKR category—and registering the best mileage result overall—were Romualdo Fajardo and Cesar Palmaria of Meralco (SDS Logistics), who logged 19.77 Km/L. Following them were Jonathan Patrocinio and Nestor Biangco of Orient Cold Storage with 13.50 Km/L, and Mario Saulog, Jr. and Rogelio Romero of Meralco (SDS Logistics) with 12.97 Km/L.
The NPR category was won by Victor Gonzales and Ronnie Sanchez of East West Seed Co., who recorded an 8.86 Km/L result. The pair was followed by Luciano Las Pinas and Vangie dela Cruz of 88 Harvest Baking Supplies with 7.12 Km/L.
Emerging as leaders in the NQR category were Manolito Zacarias and Angelo Elizaga of Centro Manufacturing Corp. with their 8.93 Km/L mileage. Coming behind them were Jonesis Luces and Jose Luis Dimayuga of Almazora Motors Corp. with 7.74 Km/L.
“The N-Series trucks’ achievement of being the bestseller in a competitive class is concrete proof of its superiority over its rivals,” said Yamazaki. “It means the Filipino market has full confidence in the model, which can only be the result of a very satisfying ownership experience.”
Besides fuel efficiency, credit to the N-Series’ popularity also goes to its versatility as the vehicle can be configured as a passenger van, aluminum cargo van, refrigerated van, fire truck, drop-side truck, aerial platform truck, refuse collector, dump truck, cargo truck or tanker.