Isuzu is Philippines's Best-Selling Truck Brand for 20 Straight Years

According to the latest figures supplied by the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI), Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) retains its leadership in the Commercial Vehicle (CV) truck category.

This marks the 20th straight year, that IPC has emerged number one overall in truck sales. From January to December 2019, IPC sold a total of 6,279 Category 3, 4, and 5 trucks, representing a strong 45 percent market share of the total 14,049 brand new trucks sold during the year, increased by 2 percent from the previous year.

IPC dominated the Category 3 (Light-Duty Truck) sales with 4,241 units sold, while also holding number one spot in Category 4 (Medium-Duty truck) with 1,566 units sold. In the Category 5 (Heavy-Duty truck), IPC landed a strong second, with 472 units sold.

IPC President Hajime Koso attributed the brand’s continued success to Isuzu’ global reputation as a world’s leading truck maker, the durability and reliability of its trucks, and the full aftersales service of an extensive nationwide dealership network.

The Country's First Isuzu Automatic Transmission Heavy-Duty Truck is with Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola Beverage Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the country, has partnered with Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC)— the country’s leading manufacturer of brand-new trucks— to further enhance safety and sustainability within its logistics operations. 95 top-of-the-line vehicles have been turned over to Coca-Cola’s already expansive delivery fleet.

Coca-Cola operates one of the biggest truck fleets in the Philippines, with almost 3,000 trucks and over 2,000 sales service vehicles. Approximately 2,500 shipments per day are undertaken, transporting to 20,000 doors across the country. For operations this massive in scale, the Company implements a road safety framework built on three pillars: organization and culture, vehicles and technologies, and the drivers. Each pillar, in turn, has different programs and initiatives that address capability development, technical standards and monitoring, and driving performance and engagement.

Isuzu FVR trucks with installed Allison Automatic Transmission—the first of its kind in the Philippines—were among the partnership turnover highlights. These trucks’ transmission were specially crafted by leading automotive expert Gendiesel Philippines, Inc. The installed palletized bottle carriers were made by IPC partner body builders, Almazora and Centro.

The partnership with Isuzu, whose commercial vehicles are known for their reliability and efficiency, promises to deliver dependable transportation solutions to support Coca-Cola’s extensive and intensive distribution requirements. Isuzu trucks are equipped with Euro IV- to V-compliant engines that produce cleaner emissions; and with blue power technology, which helps make the trucks more powerful, yet economical and environmentally friendly.

These new acquisitions are in keeping with Coca-Cola’s long-standing commitment to reduce carbon emissions and to achieve sustainable operations in fleet management—through the use of low-emission engines in its trucks and through the adoption of new technologies to further improve their logistics and distribution capabilities.

25 More Isuzu Modern PUVs Hit the Road in South Metro Manila

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), the country’s leading manufacturer and distributor of brand-new trucks, continues its effort to support the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) to bring safer, more efficient, more convenient, and more environmentally sustainable transport system to Filipinos.

IPC turned over the third batch of brand-new Isuzu PUVs to MetroExpress Connect Inc. (MCI), which consists of 25 units that will ply the routes of Las Piñas to Daang Hari, Kawit, Cavite to PITX, Tanza, Cavite to PITX, and General Trias to Daang Hari.

 MCI started as shuttle services group, with a fleet of no more than 20 shuttles servicing private subdivisions, providing quality transportation to communities, connecting them to commercial developments and city centers.

As the years progress, MCI have soon acquired bigger and bolder projects, widening their operation, and choosing Isuzu PUVs as their transportation hub, MCI will be able to guarantee its commuters to have a safe, seamless, and reliable transportation.

IPC’s modernized PUVs assembled using the Isuzu QKR77 platform and the PUV body designed and manufactured by Almazora Motors Corp, is equipped with the Euro IV-compliant 4JH1-TC diesel engine that delivers better fuel economy and cleaner emissions than jeepneys; thus guarantees its clients like MetroExpress Connect Inc. to provide quality and reliable transportation, connecting passengers and communities to their destinations the easy way.

IPC President Hajime Koso encouraged other transport companies across the country to already make that switch to safer, cleaner, more convenient, and more reliable modernized PUVs. “I have always believed that the Isuzu PUVs are truly a vehicle made by the Filipinos for the Filipinos and we are confident that these units will be able to provide a more durable, comfortable, and safe transport solution for the riding public.”

Isuzu Launches the Traviz Light-Duty Truck with Prices Starting at P 962k (w/ Specs)

Isuzu Philippines Corporation launches a “last-mile” transportation solution with its all-new Traviz light-duty truck. Based on the D-Max platform, the Traviz boasts of durability, big cargo capacity, a fuel-efficient powertrain, and modern design.

Named after a combination of “Transport, Trading, Transcend” and “Business,” the all-new Traviz is available in two wheelbase configurations: the short wheelbase Traviz S and the long wheelbase Traviz L. While both versions have a 1.6-ton payload capacity, the long wheelbase version can readily accept a 10-foot body.

Powering the Traviz is a Euro 4 version of the Crosswind’s engine: the 4JA1. This 2.5-liter common rail direct injection engine makes 78 horsepower at 3,900 rpm and 176 Nm of torque at 1,800 rpm. Mated to Isuzu’s MUA-5S 5-speed manual, the Traviz does up to 23.4 km/L based on a test conducted with the Automobile Association of the Philippines or AAP.

Boasting a 4.5-meter turning radius, the Traviz is made to negotiate tight urban confines, yet it has the largest cabin in its class for the maximum comfort of its three occupants. Power steering is standard equipment as is a Deceleration Sensing Proportioning Valve or DSPV to help keep it stable even during heavy braking.

For comfort and convenience, the Traviz comes with a four-way adjustable driver seat and a standard built-in Tuner/USB sound system with two speakers. A reverse warning buzzer is standard, but air conditioning is optional.

Announced during its launch, the Traviz will also form the basis of Isuzu’s entry into the Class 1 Modern PUV. More details about that version will be announced at a later time.

The pricing for the 2020 Traviz starts at P 962,000 for the short wheelbase version and P 992,000 for the long wheelbase version. These prices reflect the cab & chassis configuration only. Standard is a 3-year / 100,000 kilometer warranty.

2020 Isuzu Traviz Specifications:

• Engine: 4JA1 Common Rail Direct Injection Blue Power Diesel
• Displacement: 2,499 cc
• Emissions: Euro 4
• Maximum Power: 78 horsepower @ 3,900 rpm
• Maximum Torque: 176 Nm @ 1,800 rpm
• Fuel Tank: 50 liters
• Front Suspension: Double Wishbone with Coil Springs
• Rear Suspension: Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
• Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
• Rear Brakes: Drum
• Brake Assist: Hydraulic, Vacuum Assisted, Dual Circuit with Deceleration Sensing Proportioning Valve
• Transmission: MUA-5S 5-speed MT
• Battery: 65D26R x 1
• Voltage: 12V - 90A
• Wheels: 14 x 5.5 JJ (6 studs)
• Tires: 195R 14 C PR
• Audio: Tuner Radio with USB, 2 Speakers
• Reverse Warning Buzzer: Standard
• Air Conditioning Optional
• Overall Length: 4,450 mm (Traviz S), 4,600 mm (Traviz L)
• Overall Width: 1,695 mm
• Overall Height: 1,995 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,250 mm (Traviz S), 2,400 (Traviz L)
• Cab and Chassis Mass: 1,290 kg (Traviz S), 1,295 (Traviz L)
• Gross Vehicle Weight: 2,950 kg
• Payload: 1,660 kg (Traviz S), 1,665 (Traviz L)

Isuzu Philippines's L300 Challenger is Finally Arriving and It's Called: Traviz

At the Philippine International Motor Show last year, Isuzu Philippines showed off a lightweight truck concept, the VT02, that’s destined to battle the likes of the Mitsubishi L300, Hyundai H-100, and the Kia K2500 Karga. Not much has been said about it since then, but now it looks Isuzu Philippines has finally locked in a November 2019 launch date.

Designed specifically for emerging markets, the VT02 is a cabover lightweight truck with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 2,950 kilograms. Known as the “Traga” in its home market of Indonesia, the VT02 is jointly engineered by Isuzu Motors Limited and Isuzu Global CV Engineering Center, a group company controlling the truck engineering for emerging markets.

The VT02 marries a lightweight cabin based on the N Series and a frame based off the D-MAX. Thus, it offers the same attributes such as a maximized loading efficiency, tight turning performance, and high fuel efficiency.

The clincher is that in its Indonesian market form, the Traga / Traviz uses a 4JA1L Euro 2 engine with 80 horsepower and 191 Nm of torque. While this passes for Indonesia’s Euro 2 emissions standards, Isuzu Philippines will have to source a different engine for use in the local market model. A leading candidate the 4JH1-TC found in N Series trucks which produces a far healthier 106 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque.

Do you think there’s room for yet another small truck challenger? Isuzu may be late to the game, but given their stellar reputation in building the most reliable and durable trucks in the markets, it’s safe to say they’ll be able to carve up some market share on their own accord.