Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), the country’s leading truckmaker, reached their 300,000th sold unit milestone last August with the sale of a D-Max RZ4E pickup by Isuzu Leyte. In their press statement on this subject, IPC reported that since they started operations in 1997 and by the end of last August, they had sold a total 300,133 units categorized into the following:
| Vehicle Category | Volume | Share |
| Asian utility vehicles (the discontinued Crosswind and the Highlander that preceded it) | 113,475 | 38% |
| Pickup trucks (the current D-Max and the Fuego before that) | 64,245 | 21% |
| Sport utility vehicles (the current Mu-X and the Alterra and Trooper models before it) | 63,669 | 21% |
| Trucks (N-series light-duty, F-series medium, and C- and E-series heavy-duty trucks) | 58,744 | 20% |
| Totals: | 300,133 | 100% |
The event was marked with an on-line press conference on October 5 where IPC president Hajime Koso recollected their first ever sale: “During that time, we only had a total of 12 dealers nationwide. It was Isuzu Davao who first sold the Isuzu NKR85 at P475,000.”
Also during the press conference, IPC marketing head Joseph Bautista pointed out that their 300,000th milestone comes in the face of the dramatic market downturn being experienced with the CoViD-19 global public health crisis. Bautista said that Philippine automakers have reduced total year’s forecast sales volumes from 480,000 down to 240,000 units and that Isuzu Philippines has itself downgraded their 2020 projection to 11,000 vehicles.
No Crosswind comeback, but a new LCV
The bleak forecasts underscore how more than a third of Isuzu’s 300,000-unit sales is for their trademark though discontinued Asian utility vehicles (AUV) lineup. So, inevitably, there were questions about how these future and past numbers might prompt the return of the Isuzu Crosswind. But IPC’s Bautista confirms that no, they are not bringing back their classic, Euro II compliant AUV.
Started with the Highlander, the very first model they rolled off the factory floor in 1997, and then later smoothed out and epitomized by the long-running Crosswind that was discontinued in 2018, IPC’s AUV line was the bestseller when they were racking up more than 20,000 units in annual sales. Five years ago in 2015, IPC sold their 100,000th Crosswind on their way to selling 22,581 vehicles that year.
Now, instead of the bestselling Crosswind that they discontinued two years ago, IPC is to weather the stormy market with the new Traviz 2.95 ton cab-over truck platform that they introduced last year. And, appropriately, the Traviz fits a slot in their lineup that, offhand, makes it almost as distinctive as the classic Crosswind.
The Traviz is IPC’s first model in the light commercial vehicle (LCV) category where they’ve had only their pickup trucks, AUVs and SUVs in the past. Its 2950kg gross vehicle weight and compact 2,250 to 2,400mm wheelbase make the Traviz more versatile than the Flexitrucks that Isuzu has been building with their 4,000kg N-series light duty trucks–the lightest among their bigger commercial vehicle category.
Vintage AUV
Ironically, the Traviz retains enough AUV DNA that it might end up as a Crosswind replacement after all. The truck’s engine is the same reliable Isuzu 2.5 liter 4JA1 low-boost turbodiesel that has powered the Crosswind for decades, but with a new high-pressure common-rail direct injection (CRDi) system that affords it enough feed control to attain Euro IV compliance.
When paired with the customary side-seating rear passenger box, the Traviz “FB” van matches the AUV pattern that preceded its incarnation in stamped uni-body wagons such as the Isuzu Highlander predecessor of the Crosswind as well as the equally classic Toyota Revo. Before these wagons, it was the cab, chassis and passenger body combos of older Ford Fieras, Toyota Tamaraws and the like that got labeled as AUVs.
Also, with current public health restrictions requiring generous spacing between passengers, that otherwise 16- or 18-seat Traviz “FB” passenger van might be the only way to retain the capacity that Isuzu owners have come to expect from the 10-seat Crosswind wagon, and this while having a Crosswind’s reliable diesel.
Giving back
During the press conference, from IPC president Hajime Koso: “Allow me to express my sincere appreciation to our shareholders, dealers, suppliers, bodybuilders, media friends, and most especially to our loyal Filipino customers who have untiringly supported Isuzu throughout the years.”
In gratitude for reaching their 300,000th unit milestone, IPC will be implementing the following promotions from October to December this year:
- 300K thank you big discount promo – from October 1 to December 31, 2020, IPC will give P30,000 additional discount for the D-Max RZ4E and Traviz S (short wheelbase) models, yielding increased discounts of PhP180,000 and PhP130,000, respectively.
- Shell GO+ welcome kit – from October 1 to December 31, 2020, all Isuzu buyes will receive free GO+ welcome kits with fuel cards from Isuzu partner Pilipinas Shell.
- Drive the 300k promo – until October 31, Isuzu vehicles with odometer readings between 300,000 and 310,000 kms will enjoy a 30 percent discount on servicing fees for parts and labor.
- Arigato frontliners program – from October 1 to December 31, 2020, all beyond-warranty Isuzu vehicles owned by frontliners can have quick, oil-change services at any Isuzu dealership for as low as PhP1,700.
- Online Tambayan – on three Saturdays this month, Isuzu will hold online meets with their three biggest and most active owners’ clubs–with Mu-X Owners Philippines on October 10, with Team ICE (Isuzu Car Enthusiast) on October 17, and with Team Isuzu Pilipinas on October 24.
IPC has also stepped up their corporate social responsibility efforts in response to the public health crisis.
Since the quarantines started in March, they have been lending vehicles to transport frontliners for various hospitals as part of their “Isuzu Kasamo Mo” campaign, and they’ve been holding drives to donate protective and medical supplies to charitable institutions such as the Philippine Red Cross and Caritas Manila.
Now, IPC is to donate medical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE), including surgical facemasks and gloves, to three hospitals–one each in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Beneficiaries will be the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City, the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, and the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro.