Isuzu PH Jan-Feb sales in step with industry growth

MANILA, Philippines - The first two months of 2014 saw 21,591 vehicles sold by Commercial Vehicle member-companies of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Trucks Manufacturers Association (TMA), eclipsing the 17,951-unit total during the same period last year, or a solid 20.3 percent growth. This upward trend was evident in February when 11,234 vehicles were sold compared to the 10,357 vehicles delivered in January posting an 8.5 percent increase.

Along with this rise in CV sales, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) also gained strength as the diesel engine technology expert posted 11.4 percent growth in combined January and February sales over the same two months in 2013. The result comes despite the decline in deliveries of the Isuzu Crosswind AUV and Alterra SUV, which recorded drops of 11.1 percent and 24.3 percent, respectively.

Lifting IPC’s year-to-date sales were the robust movement of the company’s commercial trucks and the D-MAX pickup. Isuzu’s all-new pickup model remained on its steady climb as its sales grew a phenomenal 76.4 percent in the first two months of 2014, registering 575 units delivered compared to the 326 units moved during the same period in 2013. Complementing the D-MAX’s performance were the results posted by Isuzu’s best-selling N-Series trucks in the light-duty category, leaping 31.4 percent with 310 units, and the company’s medium-duty trucks, rising 18.9 percent with 88 units.

In total, IPC sold 1,949 AUVs, SUVs, pickups, commercial trucks in the first two months of 2014, or an 11.4 percent gain over the company’s 1,750-unit result during the same period in 2013.

“Isuzu Philippines’ impressive year-on-year sales result was achieved through various promotional efforts, improvements in our dealer network’s delivery of the sales and service experience, and the launch of new models like the D-MAX,” said IPC president Nobuo Izumina. “That the Philippine economy is currently the healthiest in the region only allows Isuzu to keep in step with the dynamism of the domestic automotive industry.”

IPC’s improvement in February reflects this vitality with the company registering growths across its model range. Sales of the Crosswind, at 451 units, were 1.8 percent higher than January’s 443 units. The Alterra’s rose 22.9 percent with 43 units against 35, the D-MAX’s climbed 20.3 percent with 314 units against 261, the N-Series spiked 36.6 percent with 179 units against 131, and heavy-duty trucks increased 4.7 percent with 45 units against 43. Overall, IPC products improved 12.8 percent with total sales of 1,033 versus the 916 sold in January.

Despite its drop, the Crosswind remains the bestselling Isuzu model.

“Isuzu models’ steady success in Metro Manila and in the other regions is testament that Filipino customers appreciate products that deliver excellent value from their investment. IPC will strive to improve our products and services further to always ensure customer satisfaction,” Izumina said.