The Great Isuzu Family Challenge

Any Isuzu customer, employee, dealer and motoring journalist knows that being a part of any Isuzu-led event is like taking part in a big and memorable family bonding experience. That’s what makes an event organized by Isuzu different from all the others.

Now, Isuzu Philippines Corporation has set a challenge to its 20 dealers nationwide to sign up families to experience a one day affair that combines the popular Isuzu Challenge with the Isuzu Family Day. Families team up to go the distance and break records in fuel efficiency. During the kick-off run at Isuzu Quezon Avenue, it was an amusing experience to hear some kids alternately cheer and tease their parents as teams geared up for the fuel efficiency leg of the challenge. All participants were in high spirits preparing for a family day like no other.

While the rest of the family members were shuttled by bus. Teams made up of driver and navigator in a Crosswind, Global D-MAX or Alterra drove from Quezon Avenue to Montemar Beach Club in Bagac, Bataan covering 175 kilometers. In Montemar, families participated in a day of fun and magic as teams competed in various relays, musical challenges and even vied for the best magic act.

According to IPC the event aims to “emphasize Isuzu’s superiority in producing fuel-efficient diesel-powered vehicles and that saving on fuel is something the entire family must be aware of.”

“It doesn’t matter who the vehicle owner is or what brand of vehicle he drives,” says IPC president Keiji Takeda, “The issue of fuel efficiency is for everyone, especially those with families. Fortunately, Isuzu vehicles are not just fuel-efficient, they also provide generous space and passenger comfort for the whole family.”

The Isuzu Family Challenge is open to all Isuzu owners of Crosswind, D-MAX and Alterra, male or female. The challenge is an open-category fuel economy contest. Two participating adults – one driver and one navigator – shall drive to a predetermined route aiming to post the best fuel mileage for the day. Each adult contestant is entitled to bring three family members. Hence one team may be composed of as many as eight members.

What’s in store for winners? There’s a P15,000 prize for the team with the best fuel efficiency score, P10,000 for second place and P5,000 for third.

In the kick off event, the husband and wife tandem of Ricardo and Nadine Flaviano in their Crosswind XL took first place with a fuel efficiency record of 24.313 km/l. Brothers Gregorio and Jimmy Crepe drove a Crosswind Xti and logged a fuel efficiency record of 22.766 km/l. Second runner up was couple David Jan and Luzviminda Soriano with a record of 22.275 km/l while onboard an Isuzu Alterra.

But more than the cash, the prizes in Isuzu events such as “Isuzu Family Challenge” are the priceless things like having an experience with one’s family that you can’t forget. Participants in the first leg talked about getting the opportunity to spend quality time with the entire family, building a team that inspires loyalty among members and a competitive experience that pits one family against others in a fun spirit of sportsmanship. For some, it was also meeting new friends and sharing common experiences with strangers. For others, it was building a stronger relationship with their dealers and the brand that they have chosen to rely on.

Isuzu EDSA and Quezon Avenue, Isuzu Manila and Commonwealth and Isuzu Alabang and Pasig kicked off the event last June 7, 14 and 21. It was followed by Isuzu San Pablo last June 28. Coming up are Isuzu Makati, July 5; Isuzu Cavite, July 26; Isuzu Isabela, August 2; Isuzu Cabanatuan, August 9; Isuzu Bulacan, August 16; Isuzu Pampanga, September 6; Isuzu Pangasinan, September 13; Isuzu Batangas September 20; Isuzu Mandaue, October 11; Isuzu Davao, October 18; Isuzu Iloilo, October 25; Isuzu Bacolod, November 8; and Isuzu Cagayan de Oro, November 15.

For this campaign Isuzu Partnered with SMART Communications, JVC Mobile Entertainment System and 3M Scotchtint.