A key element in Isuzu's recordbreaking success in claiming the Number One spot in New Zealand new truck sales for the 19th consecutive year – also leading the light, medium and heavy-duty sectors – is enhanced reliability and renewed focus on the end users, the company believes.
Isuzu Trucks NZ general manager Colin Muir pinpoints these as major factors in the make's milestone achievement, which he believes may be unique globally for Isuzu.
"We have worked closely with Isuzu in Japan to ensure our product resonates with Kiwis, as we have a burning desire to be the 'go-to' brand when someone has a need for a new truck," he says.
An example of this was the extensive high-country testing of a 6x4 automated manual transmission tipper in a variety of challenging situations, he says: "It's all very well explaining a particular condition on a conference call with executives in Japan, but nothing beats a team of Isuzu engineers, as well as R&D staff, coming to the top of the South Island to witness an Isuzu in action in such a unique environment."
Other contributors to Isuzu's success, Muir says, include a continuation in the growth of the service side of the business, "considerable" investment into the brand by dealers and an Isuzu commitment to technicians' training.
"Our ultimate aim is to have a network which is never any more than a one-hour drive away from any point around the country, which is a lofty ambition but one we're dedicated to achieving," says Muir.
New technology in the latest trucks is another factor identified by Muir: "It's no longer correct for people to perceive Isuzu trucks as lacking technology. They now offer options – like advanced driver assistance safety systems – akin to what is available in a car or SUV, such as lane departure warning, front collision alert and pedestrian alert," says Muir.
Isuzu has also launched a new AMT version of the CYZ heavy-duty tipper and the VN97 N Series light-duty range has advanced emission controls without the need for a particulate filter or AdBlue.