2017 MARKS ISUZU'S 28TH YEAR ON TOP

[image_gallery][/image_gallery] The close of 2016 marked Isuzu Australia Limited’s (IAL) 28th consecutive year as Australia’s highest selling truck maker, responding to the challenges of an ever-competitive Australian truck market. Isuzu Trucks continues to out-do its already impressive track record – with 2016 sales figures the best since 2008 – selling 8,307 trucks and securing over 25 per cent of the market share. This means one in four new trucks that drove out of dealership yards in 2016 bore the iconic Isuzu badge. Once again, IAL’s outstanding 12 per cent increase in sales volume far exceeded growth in the overall truck market, a fact not lost on IAL Director and Chief Operating Officer, Phil Taylor. “This achievement is a reflection of Isuzu’s dominant status in the Australian truck market. It’s a telling result and validates our aim to successfully tap into the needs and desires of Australian transport consumers year after year.” The keystone light-duty segment continued to underpin the total market in 2016, outstripping heavy-duty sales to lead overall growth in the Australian truck market with a volume increase of eight per cent against modest total market growth of three per cent. The medium-duty segment saw an encouraging four per cent increase whilst heavy duty sales volume held steady on 30 per cent of the overall market. Sales aside, 2016 was a year of notable milestones for the Isuzu brand, as Isuzu Motors Limited (Japan), celebrated 100 years of business since the company’s formation back in 1916.The achievement comes less than a year after surpassing another impressive watermark by exceeding the 25 million mark for diesel engines manufactured world-wide. From its humble beginnings in 1916 – as a joint venture between a Tokyo shipbuilding company and an energy producer who saw the opportunities in providing Japan with quality, durable vehicles – Isuzu have become the ‘go-to’ for reliability, innovation and safety throughout the world. Not to be outdone, IAL also celebrated a ground-breaking year in 2016 by notching-up the sale of its 200,000^th vehicle in November. Mr. Taylor noted the importance of Isuzu’s continued focus on customer satisfaction as an underlying factor behind the local accomplishment. “We’re consistently taking a microscope to our operations to ensure we’re doing everything within our power to meet the demands and shifting needs of Australian business owners. It’s this mantra of continued improvement that contributes heavily to these kinds of milestones.” Isuzu not resting on its laurels Since taking the mantle of Australia’s top-selling truck brand in 1989, Isuzu has continued to surge forward in leaps and bounds, never taking for granted the hard-earned loyalty of its Australian customers. Drilling into the weight segments, IAL’s light-duty offering posted imposing sales results for 2016, achieving almost 40 per cent segment share and an impressive 15 per cent boost in total volume. These figures cap off an exciting year on the product front with Isuzu’s light-duty N Series range benefitting from a suite of updates including a new transmission in the form of Isuzu’s Torque Convertor Automated Manual Transmission (TC-AMT). All new 4x2 N Series trucks now also come equipped with Isuzu’s Electronic Stability Control (IESC) from 2016, added to further enhance the efficiency and safety of Isuzu’s highest selling truck range. Continuing a rich tradition of exceeding customer expectations, Isuzu’s new F Series range was released in February 2016, effectively re-inventing the way medium-duty trucks tackle the preeminent issues of flexibility, safety and emissions. As a result, Isuzu has continued to dominate the medium-duty segment with 2016 market share reaching 43 per cent. Not only are close to half of all medium-duty trucks sold in Australia Isuzu trucks, sales volume increased a healthy 10 per cent last year meaning Australian businesses have responded well to the first all new product to hit this segment for a while. Isuzu’s focus on innovation is driving these results, with new 4KH1 engine technology out of Japan added to the F Series range which neatly complements the new torque-converter equipped automated manual transmission. In addition to greater efficiency and lower emissions, this marriage of technology has resulted in a more responsive car-like drive performance. Further supporting strong results across all segments, Isuzu achieved a six per cent volume increase in the heavy-duty market, made all the more impressive considering overall segment growth remained flat in 2016. Mr. Taylor said he was thrilled with the performance, but excited to continue improving in what has become an increasingly competitive and hard-fought domestic market. “Without a shadow of a doubt, Isuzu has the very best people in the business. From our extremely professional dealer network to our world class service technicians, it’s ultimately the people that make the wheel turn in the right direction,” he said. “I’m not only proud of Isuzu’s market leading results; I’m excited for an even more successful 2017. I’m looking forward to continuing to improve the one-of-a-kind Isuzu ownership experience.” ends For further information, please contact: Jeff Birdseye Isuzu Australia Limited Phone: 03 9644 6666 For Isuzu Truck Releases and Photos: Arkajon Communications Phone: 03 9867 5611 Email: isuzu@arkajon.com.au