Isuzu’s Traviz light truck has reached its 10,000-unit sales milestone after racking up average volumes of 3,876 units a year and 322 per month since the novel light truck model was first introduced here in November 2019. (Not a surprise after we spotted the Traviz as Isuzu’s genius swing at both new and old markets–see https://rwdph.com/2021/06/10/the-traviz-isuzus-genius-move-into-new-and-old-markets/.)
Press Statement by Isuzu Philippines Corporation, “isuzu PH celebrates Traviz 10,000-sales milestone,” 17 June 2022:
Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) announces its latest sales milestone, the 10,000-unit sales for the Isuzu TRAVIZ lightweight truck, achieved this June. Launched towards the end of 2019, the Isuzu TRAVIZ quickly became a popular choice for business owners nationwide, as it provides the best solution for their last mile delivery operations.
Cornering 32% of the Cab & Chassis market on May 2022, the TRAVIZ highlights the brand’s well-known reputation for durability & reliability, while also meeting customer’s need for big cargo capacity and fuel efficiency on top of its modern & ergonomic cabin design – making this truck perfect for large scale corporation and MSMEs alike.
TRAVIZ AS BEST ‘BUSINESS SOLUTION’
Like thousands of Isuzu customers nationwide, the TRAVIZ caught the heart of business executive Sherrie Mae Pag-Ong, Purchasing Head of Microserver-8 Enterprises. “Our business operates both in NCR and Mindanao region and the TRAVIZ has been our choice of truck due its big cargo capacity, easy serviceability and nationwide parts availability. In our line of business, our vehicle uptime is very important, and with the TRAVIZ, we can be assured of its reliability on the road and durability that the truck will last a long time,” she said.
Mircroserver-8 Enterprises, which is one of the emerging office equipment and computer accessory supplier in the south, was given a special award by IPC for being its 10,000th customer for the TRAVIZ. Held at Isuzu Manila, IPC’s new President Noboru Murakami, Asst. Sales Division Head, Hiroto Nakaguro, Asst. Division Head for Sales Robert Carlos, Department Head Mario Ojales, together with YGC’s Business Operations Head, Johnny Fetalvero and Isuzu Manila Branch Head Art Silvestre were all present to award additional P10,000 Cash and P10,000 worth of Parts & Service to Microserver-8 Enterprises.
“We are very happy to be recognized as the 10,000th customer for the Isuzu TRAVIZ. We have been using this truck since 2021 and have been receiving very good feedback from our drivers nationwide – the TRAVIZ is truly one of best profit partner,” said Pag-Ong.
Confident with the TRAVIZ’s exceptional capabilities, IPC President Murakami highlights the relevance and advantages of the truck to its customers, “Now that we are facing an all-time high on fuel prices, the TRAVIZ provides a viable solution, proven to be fuel efficient, the TRAVIZ can run more than 1,000 kilometers in just one full tank based on our recent fuel economy drive. It also can carry more cargo with its 1,660kgs payload capacity that would lessen your trips in operation,” he said.
TRAVIZ 10,000 THANK YOU PROMO
On top of awarding its 10,000th customer, IPC also announced a series of promotions for existing and potential TRAVIZ customers.
From June 10 to August 31, IPC will be giving away 10,000 liters worth of fuel for raffle to 500 customers nationwide who will purchase or reserve a TRAVIZ unit.
Both existing and potential customers will receive additional P10,000 cash referral bonus on top of the existing P10,000 referral fee that the company already offers.
Existing customers are also entitled to avail of the following Parts & Service discount:
10% discount on Labor for Any Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) and/or general job only
10% discount on Parts for Any Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) and/or general job only
Free 1-liter Isuzu Genuine Motor Oil XTRM
All of these promotions and cash bonus can be availed at any authorized Isuzu dealer, branch and satellite nationwide. For full promo mechanics, customers may log-on to www.isuzuphil.com or follow Isuzu’s official Facebook page for more information.
Isuzu Philippines got the measure of their popular Traviz light truck with an AAP-observed and certified fuel-economy endurance run that saw the compact hauler getting 21.26 km/l with a two-day 1,063km run on a single 50-liter tank-load of diesel.
Press Statement by Isuzu Philippines Corp., “Isuzu TRAVIZ achieves 1,063kms in Isuzu One Full Tank Challenge,” 2 May 2022:
In a recent fuel economy drive, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) records 1,063 kms or a total of 21.26km/l for the Isuzu TRAVIZ in its latest Isuzu One Full Tank Challenge, as observed and certified by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP).
From April 18 to 20, IPC conducted its Isuzu One Full Tank Challenge starting at its newest dealership up north, Isuzu La Union. Led by IPC President Hajime Koso and Vice President for Sales Yasuhiko Oyama, the company fielded two of its latest Blue Power trucks – the Isuzu TRAVIZ and the Isuzu NLR85E, to test its excellent fuel economy, innovative diesel engine technology.
“As the number 1 truck brand in the country, we try to provide the best business solutions to our customers, and with the rising fuel prices, we offer to them our most fuel-efficient variants. The Isuzu One Full Tank Challenge is our way to test and prove our trucks’ excellent fuel economy, which is why we would like to as much as possible test the efficiency of our truck under normal driving conditions, carrying weight and passing through cities and highways. The results are truly impressive, it somehow suggests the optimum numbers our customers can get if they practice good driving habits on the road,” said IPC President Hajime Koso.
From Isuzu La Union, the trucks travelled in just one full tank carrying a weight equivalent to 100kgs for the TRAVIZ and 500kgs for the NLR85E. Driving towards north, the participants drove all the way to Pagudpud, then down to Cagayan on its first day. The next day, the trucks travelled farther south before settling the night in Clark, Pampanga. With little fuel left at the start of the third day, the trucks cleared through NLEX then SLEX before making its final stop at Pagbilao, Quezon.
Running on its tried and tested 4JA1 blue power diesel engine, the Isuzu TRAVIZ has a fuel tank capacity of 50-liter, perfect for last mile delivery. During the run, the TRAVIZ was driven and navigated by Mon Dimapilis and Alvin Mañalac, who managed to achieve an impressive 1,063kms at the end of its journey.
Equally impressive is the Isuzu NLR85E, which is one of company’s most popular variants, that took longer on the road covering a total of 1,234kms. Running on a common-rail direct injection 4JJ1-TCC blue power engine with 75-liter fuel tank capacity, the NLR85E truck was driven and navigated by drivers Alex Gonzales, Marjune Espraguira, and Johnsy Reyes.
“This edition of the Isuzu Challenge truly shows Isuzu’s advancement in terms of diesel engine technology, our trucks are well-known to be durable and fuel efficient which is manifested by the impressive results of this Challenge. On top of that, we continue to advocate economic and safety driving so that our customers can reap the over-all benefits of driving their Isuzu trucks,” said IPC Asst. Division Head, Robert Carlos.
To know more about the latest line-up of Isuzu blue power trucks, log-on to www.isuzuphil.com.
With the recently introduced Traviz, Isuzu Philippines manages to enter a new segment, globally, and re-enter an old one, locally. With the Traviz, Isuzu expands their market to include 3-ton lightweight trucks notched under their existing light-duty haulers. And, now, particularly with the utility van (UV) configuration of the Traviz, Isuzu revisits their niche in the old Asian utility vehicle (AUV) market, bringing back a classic Jeepney-like configuration that predates that of the bestselling Crosswind wagon they were compelled to retire in 2018.
New lightweight truck for developing markets
Ironically, for the country’s top truck brand, the Traviz is their first hauler in the 2.5 to 3 ton gross vehicle weight (GVW) range. Before this lightweight truck was introduced, Isuzu’s range reached down only as far as the 4-ton NLR77 that they’ve configured, at one point, as the rather large multi-purpose UV-bodied Flexitruck.
Named the TRAGA for Indonesia which Isuzu figures to be a growth driver for the world’s light commercial vehicles market, they didn’t even have their own in-house model until the new lightweight truck was introduced for the first time globally in April 2018. For decades, they had instead marketed the Isuzu Bison, a re-badged Mitsubishi L300 with an Isuzu engine.
Indonesia’s TRAGA was purpose-built for developing markets by the Isuzu Group and their Isuzu Global CV Engineering Center (IGCE)–the group’s designated truck engineering unit for emerging markets. In their press statement about the global launch from Indonesia, Isuzu Motors Limited described the TRAGA as a “full-fledged lightweight truck” developed by adopting “commercial vehicle technologies accumulated within the company based on the D-MAX pickup truck.”
They seem to want to emphasize that for the TRAGA/Traviz they started with the rugged engineering of their usual 4 tons and heavier truck platforms and scaled this down to LCV weights and payloads based on their experience with their popular D-MAX pickup. In their product launch press statement, they assert that the TRAGA/Traviz features a robust and spacious cabin based on that of their N-series light-duty trucks, and a rugged ladder frame based on that of the D-MAX pickup. Their engine choice for the new lightweight truck? The classic Isuzu 4JA1-L low boost turbodiesel–the engine that also powers the Crosswind AUV as well as the re-badged Bison that they’re replacing.
The new, Euro IV compliant Blue Power 4JA1-L low boost turbodiesel with CRDi fuel injection
Shortly after the TRAGA was introduced globally out of Indonesia in April 2018, Isuzu Philippines previewed it here during that year’s Philippine International Motors Show (PIMS) in October 2018. The exhibition was meant for measuring local interest and enough such interest was observed to fast track adapting the new model to this market. In record time, the right-hand drive Euro II TRAGA was localized as the left-hand drive Euro IV Traviz for a Philippine launch a year later in November 2019.
Here, it now competes in a new segment (for Isuzu) that’s been dominated by the 2.5 ton Mitsubishi L300, and the 3.0 ton Kia K2500 and Hyundai H100, and where the Traviz’s newer and purposeful engineering yields a best-in-class payload capacity that makes it an ideal platform for all-purpose utility-van (UV) configurations.
Best-in-class with an old AUV configuration
It took some actual wheel time with the Traviz to validate the notion that while it opens a new truck market segment for the big Japanese brand, it also reprises, in fact reinvents, their pitch for this market’s old and defining AUV segment.
Largest and heaviest among its variants with a long wheelbase and fitted out with a utility van (UV) passenger and cargo carrying rear body that made it about 5 meters long, the Traviz L UV was my main vehicle, in fact my only ride, for several days. It had to be for the duration of the lendout because the parking spot I managed to arrange for it boxed in my regular ride–a sub-compact passenger van.
It is a full-fledged truck. Getting into the driver’s seat in that tall, big-boned cab-over cabin, and the bubble-cockpit perspective that rewards the effort, are enough reminder of the Traviz’s truck pedigree. But, paired with a compact rear deck over a relatively short wheelbase, the Traviz is surprisingly maneuverable and fairly easy to keep in the middle of its shipping lane, so to speak–easy to keep out of trouble on tight or crowded city streets.
The Traviz L UV is an excellent city carry-all. Certainly bigger than my usual transport, this 5 meter Traviz configuration is still more compact, and maneuverable, than any mid-size pickup truck that comes to mind, including Isuzu’s own D-Max. And this while having the seating capacity for 18 to 20 people–2 to 3 times more carrying capacity than any three-row SUV’s. And, among those sleek sporty pickups and SUVs, the Traviz’s greater utility seems self-evident and even … generic.
This country’s “utes” aren’t the pickup trucks of developed countries like the US, Canada and Australia (and certainly not the mid-size SUVs that are based on pickup truck platforms). Pickups (and SUVs) cost too much for the purposes of most end users. Observe how the market’s more successful models needed gussying up into premium sporters–touches to distinguish these as stylish on and off-road vehicles for upper bracket buyers.
End of the day, pickups and SUVs will never seat the minibus-load of people we expect real utility vehicles to transport when needed. It must be the jeepney archetype that’s behind this. A passenger jeepney is more useful than an owner-type, after all. So, here, our utes follow the jeepney template: a truck’s bench seating up front and rear seating that’s side-facing (allowing the vehicle to seat ten or more folks), and that’s foldable (making room for cargo that’ll put food, or eventually be food, on the table).
It’s a configuration that’s been tested and proven by the slew of first-wave AUVs that emerged from the country’s Progressive Car Manufacturing Program in the 1970s (AUVs with simple-stamped jeepney-type bodies like the Toyota Tamaraw, Ford Fiera, Mitsubishi Cimarron and GM Harabas). And it’s an AUV format that persists now with the decades-old Mitsubishi L300 with FB body (meaning UV, like “Frigidaire” is to “refrigerator”) that replaced the Cimarron, as well as with the newer Kia 2500 Karga and Hyundai H-100 Shuttle utility vans.
Now, among its Mitsubishi, Kia and Hyundai rivals, the Traviz with its newer truck engineering is the only one that can take on the heavy burden of a UV rear body and still retain a useful payload of over 1 ton (with a 450kg UV rear body, I estimate the Traviz L’s net payload to hover at around 1,200kg).
Back to basics
On the global stage, the 3 ton Isuzu Traviz gives the top truckmaker a firm foothold in the lightweight truck segment. An excellent move by all accounts since it opens up a whole new segment that’s been untapped here and just perfunctorily served in other markets with a re-badged Mitsubishi mainstay. But here where our jeepney-influenced and AUV-educated sensibilities make us expect all lightweight and light-duty truck platforms to have UV rear body configurations, the Traviz also represents an industry giant’s next pitch at an old segment.
Its first generation launched as the HiLander in 1991 before being renamed for its second generation iteration in 2000, Isuzu’s wildly successful Crosswind is actually a latecomer to this market’s trademark AUV segment. They missed by several decades the 1970’s first wave of simple-stamped jeepney-type truck AUVs. Now, with the Traviz, Isuzu gets a chance to turn back the clock.
Speculation on whether they’ll bring back the Crosswind with the Traviz’s updated Euro IV compliant 4JA1-L diesel engine can stay just that … speculation. The 3 ton Traviz with UV rear body is already aimed straight at the basic, more pragmatic first-wave AUV segment where entrepreneurial customers use their utes for small and medium scale businesses as well as for big family transport. Coming from the Crosswind sporty status symbol ute, Isuzu and their customers are now challenged by the Traviz to consider a tough big-boned breadwinner AUV instead.
Editor’s note: stay tuned for a second feature that answers how a de-tuned Euro IV diesel from the 2.2 ton Crosswind succeeds at putting precise power to the 3.0 ton Traviz saddled with a 0.4 ton UV body.
Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) has delivered two specialized service vehicles to the Laguna Technopark Association, Inc. (LTAI): the first a Traviz light truck acquired by and fitted out for LTAI as a quick response ambulance; the second an Isuzu modernized PUV donated by IPC to add to LTAI’s resources for their daily shuttling operations.
Press Statement by Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC), “Isuzu PH turns over Traviz Ambulance and PUV to Laguna Technopark Association,” 2021:
Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), whose unwavering commitment to being “Your Responsible Partner” has been felt by countless Filipino motorists and their families even to the farthest points in the country, set its sights closer to home this time.
In a simple ceremony on January 15, led by IPC President, Hajime Koso and LTAI Vice Chairman Mr. Masatoshi Sasaki, IPC turned over to the Laguna Technopark Association Incorporated (LTAI) an Isuzu Traviz lightweight truck fitted with a customized ambulance body, which the later purchased to add to its emergency operations inside the park.
On the same day, IPC showed its continuous support to LTAI by donating one unit of Isuzu PUV, to help augment the association’s daily operations shuttling its park employees and tenants.
In his speech, Koso lauded LTAI for its deep and genuine concern for its people, especially in the midst of a raging pandemic. “Times like these are indeed difficult as the crisis stretches on. That is why we need companies like LTAI that are willing to go above and beyond mere business by putting their employees and tenants first. IPC has vowed to provide support to such an organization with a heart for making other people’s welfare a priority.”
Koso added that with these two additional units, the association would further enhance the level of service for its stakeholders. “IPC is delighted to help LTAI transport COVID-19 suspected patients to hospitals or any healthcare facilities. We firmly believe that these Isuzu PUV and Isuzu Traviz ambulance—with its renowned durability, comfort, and safety—would support your future operations in terms of providing swift, efficient, and unhampered transportation.”
Aside from the Traviz Ambulance unit, LTAI is also set to purchase another Isuzu light commercial vehicle, an Isuzu D-MAX pick-up to be used as a security service unit within the year.
IPC’s main office and manufacturing plant is located inside the Laguna Technopark Inc. (LTI). LTAI was established on October 24, 1991 to further increase harmonized business transactions and communication among the LTI locators by responsibly securing and maintaining the technology park’s common areas.
Isuzu Philippines delivered 25 Traviz lightweight trucks to the municipality of Tiaong in Quezon Province last week. The units are to be deployed as barangay-based ambulances and are fitted out with utility van (UV) rear bodies configured for emergency response roles with single-side foldaway benches and rear AC extended ducting.
Press Statement by Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC), ” Isuzu PH turns over 25 Traviz units to Tiaong LGU,” 2021:
The progressive municipality of Tiaong in Quezon Province will be seeing a fleet of Isuzu Traviz light duty trucks performing efficient and effective multi-purpose duties for its citizens.
In a simple turn over ceremony held last January 11, Isuzu Philippines Corporation turned over 25 units of its lightweight truck, Traviz, fitted with emergency response-type utility van body to local officials of Tiaong at the municipal grounds.
IPC executives, led by Sales Division Head Joseph Bautista, Dealer Sales Department Head Mario Ojales, and Dealer Sales Section Head Danny Nunez, along with officers of the facilitating dealership Isuzu Pagbilao, namely its President and General Manager Marcel B. Tolentino, Sales Director Marcel Joseph A. Tolentino, and Truck Elite Sales Executive Rolan Isaac Torres, were on hand to turn over the Traviz units to Tiaong officials led by Mayor Ramon Preza, Vice Mayor William Razon, and Councilor JP Preza. With 25 barangay captains of the municipality, to whom each unit will be assigned, were also present to witness the event.
In his special message, Bautista reiterated that, through the Traviz, IPC continues its strong partnership with various sectors of Philippine society, especially in public service, in order to fulfill its commitment to be “Your Responsible Partner”.
“We are confident that these Isuzu Traviz lightweight trucks will perform even beyond expectations for the different barangays here in Tiaong, and you can count on its durability and reliability that your municipality made a very wise investment in purchasing these Isuzu trucks—because an Isuzu truck really goes a long way,” he said.
The Isuzu Traviz is powered by the Euro 4-rated 4JA1 2.5-liter Direct Injection Common Rail Blue Power diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, and is rated to carry up to 1.6 tons of payload, the heaviest in the lightweight truck category. This makes it ideal for the Traviz to offer numerous advantages, such as interior cab spaciousness with wider cabins and better legroom, and a more ergonomic and comfortable—thus safer—driving position. Better maneuverability and the short turning radius of 4.5 meters make the Traviz ideal for multi-purpose trips in various barangays.
Apart from these features, two other key factors that made the Tiaong local government decide to purchase the Traviz were Isuzu Philippines’ commitment to comprehensive aftersales and nationwide parts availability, and their long-standing relationship with Isuzu Pagbilao who has been consistently assisting the municipality in its transportation needs.
To know more about the Traviz and the rest of Isuzu Philippines’ world-class roster of commercial vehicles, log on to www.isuzuphil.com, or call your nearest Isuzu dealership.
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%
IPC stockyard (file photo, 2017)
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.”
Isuzu D-Max pickup, Mu-X SUV and Crosswind AUV at the IPC stockyard (file photo, 2017)
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.
Isuzu Crosswind XUV variant (file photo, 2018)
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.
Isuzu D-MAX LS (file photo / 2017)
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.
Isuzu Mu-X LS (file photo, 2017)
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.
Traviz “FB” passenger van (photo by IPC)
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.
Isuzu Crosswind on the IPC assembly line (file photo, 2017)
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.”
300.000th unit sold: a D-Max RZ4E with “FB” rear body turned over to Marthy Medrano by Isuzu Leyte (photo by IPC)
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.
Isuzu D-Max pickups and N-series truck chassis at IPC stockyard (file photo, 2017)
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.
Pasay City, Philippines | 12 November 2019–Isuzu Philippines has officially introduced their Traviz light commercial vehicle (LCV) at the SMX convention center today, first presenting the new model to motoring press and Isuzu dealers in the morning and then displaying it to the general public in the afternoon.
The Traviz is Isuzu Philippines’ first ever entry into the LCV segment that was dominated previously by the Mitsubishi L300 (until the L300 was discontinued in 2018 and then reintroduced last month with a new Euro 4 engine). Last year, the Traviz was first introduced with a Euro 2 engine in Indonesia where it replaced the Isuzu Bison–ironically, a rebadged Mitsubishi L300.
Bigger than the L300 it rivals and replaces (here and abroad, respectively), the Traviz has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of nearly three tons and a load factor reaching 120 percent. It’s at the very top of its Category 2 truck classification, already bumping up against the 3000kg lower threshold for Category 3 haulers that include Isuzu’s own N-series light-duty trucks.
For the Philippine market, the Traviz is available in two chassis lengths, the Traviz S chassis with a 2250mm wheelbase and the Traviz L with 2400mm (consistently 50mm longer than the 2200mm and 2350mm of the standard and extended wheelbases of the old Euro 2 L300). Prices of basic cab and chassis variants are at P962k for the Traviz S and P992k for the Traviz L .
The new Isuzu Traviz LCV
Now powered with a Euro 4 version of Isuzu’s rugged 4JA1-L turbodiesel delivering 77hp @ 3900rpm and 177Nm @ 1800rpm, their new LCV appears to have finally justified an update to this, the engine of their bestselling Crosswind AUV that was taken off the market last year because of its Euro 2 engine.
Challenger / successor to L300
Developed by the Isuzu Global CV Engineering Center (IGCE) in Thailand, Isuzu’s dedicated truck engineering unit for emerging markets, the Traviz was first introduced globally in April 2018 in Indonesia which accounts for a large chunk of the global LCV trade. The new model was badged as the Traga for Indonesia where it directly succeeds the Isuzu Bison which, in turn, is actually a re-badged second-generation L300 they introduced in 2010 but with a 40 year old design dating back to 1979.
Predecessor of Indonesia’s Traga: the second generation Mitsubishi L300 re-badged as the Isuzu Bison
Indonesia’s Isuzu Bison is identical to the Philippines’ standard wheelbase Euro 2 Mitsubishi L300 except for having Isuzu’s 80hp/195Nm 4JA1-L low boost turbodiesel (the engine also under the hood of the Crosswind) instead of Mitsubishi’s 69hp/140Nm 4D56 direct injection non-turbo diesel that we have here (before their upgrade to a Euro 4 intercooled tubodiesel this year).
The Traga was designed to be larger, more agile, and also more rugged than the Bison/L300. It has a slightly longer 2250mm wheelbase (compared to the standard 2200mm of the Euro 2 Bison/L300) but retains a tight 4.5m turning radius. The ladder frame is based on the chassis of their rugged D-Max pickup, resulting in an undercarriage rated for 600kg more in GVW .
Euro 4 update, finally
Just months after the Indonesia roll out last year, the Traga was previewed here at the 2018 Philippine International Motor Show. Initially renamed the VTO2 for this purpose, the new, as yet Indonesia-stock LCV, had opposite, right-side steering and, more significantly, still the same Euro 2 4JA1-L turbodiesel that they had in the Crosswind AUV–Isuzu’s bestselling model that had to be discontinued last year because it didn’t have a Euro 4 engine.
Indonesia’s Traga previewed by Isuzu Philippines as the Vto2 at PIMS 2018
In the face of these incompatibilities, the preview hinted at imminent adaptations for the Philippine market. Good news since it presented a new model’s justification for development work on the trademark engine of the bestselling old Crosswind which gained even more stature when it was discontinued in 2018.
The Crosswind had to be taken off the market last year when government regulation made Euro 4 compliant engines mandatory for all new vehicle registrations. Even in the face of imminent enforcement of Euro 4 standards, the Crosswind’s developer–Isuzu Astra of Indonesia, also the producer of the Traviz–could not justify an update to the engine of an old model that’s a bestseller only in the Philippines.
The new Isuzu Traviz’s 4JA1 CRDi turbodiesel
Now, apparently, the Philippines’ new Traviz has broken that loggerhead and precipitated the update of the venerable Isuzu 4JA1-L low boost turbodiesel to Euro 4 standards by means of a new high pressure common rail direct injection (CRDi) fuel system and an electronic engine control unit (ECU). Updated to Euro 4 compliance, the Traviz’s powertrain retains the Crosswind’s proven and peculiarly successful combination of the slightly over-square and quick-revving 4JA1-L with its 93x92mm bore and stroke dimensions, and its MUA-5S 5-speed manual transmission with extra deep gear ratios …
1 : 4.357 in 1st
1 : 2.502 in 2nd
1 : 1.501 in 3rd
1 : 1.000 in direct drive 4th
1 : 0.909 in overdrive 5th
1 : 4.777 for final drive
Manufacturing outlook
The Isuzu Traviz is reportedly being imported from Indonesia as semi-knocked down (SKD) kits, giving Isuzu Philippines’ workforce some elbow room for working in some local input and shoring up Isuzu’s foothold as an automotive assembler. But the Traviz’s further reaching effect on the economic footprint of Isuzu Philippines is how it suggests a possible reintroduction of the Crosswind as a completely knocked down (CKD) model to be rolled out by assembly lines that were momentarily mothballed while the big brand truckmaker waited for motivations to align and deliver a Euro 4 engine update.
A Crosswind on the Isuzu Philippines assembly line in 2016
