Story & photos by Patrick P. Tulfo
THE latest figures released by Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed that the sales of vehicles rose by 8.6 percent last month to 31,132 units compared to the same period last year.
Both the passenger car (PC) and the commercial vehicle (CV) segments registered sizable growth, with the passenger cars selling 11,499 units while the CV segment enjoying even a bigger slice of the pie with 19,633 units sold.
The breakdown in CV sales for last month, including category 1 (Asian utility vehicles) sold 6,231 units, followed by 842 units for the category 3 (light trucks and buses), 347 units for the category 4 (heavy-duty trucks and buses) and 193 units (heavy-duty trucks and buses) for the category 5. But the sales of Category 2 vehicles (sport-utility vehicles), which form the bulk of CV sales, suffered a bit as it went down by 1.8 percent with only 12,020 units sold as compare to the 12,246 units for the same period last year.
Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) has maintained its fourth-spot position in the sales chart with a 7.46-percent market share, which is a feat, as Isuzu is the only manufacturer in the top 5 automotive manufacturers that doesn’t have any entry in the passenger-car category.
Isuzu is the acknowledged leader in the truck category, having built a reputation of toughness and durability over the years. At the Isuzu Truckfest held inside the Clark Freeport in June this year, the buyers who were present during the turnover ceremony, presided by Isuzu President Hajime Koso, were not first- but second- and third-time buyers who were satisfied with their initial purchase.
According to one of the buyers, even before they decided to purchase brand-new Isuzu trucks for their growing business, they were already purchasing their secondhand reconditioned Isuzu trucks from auctioneers inside Subic Freeport. He said that, based on their experience, Isuzu-made trucks last longer, economical and easy to maintain. Isuzu Marketing Head Joseph Bautista said, “Most businessmen who attend their truck fest being held in different parts of the country had purchased a truck.”
Just recently, this scribe witnessed one more reason Isuzu continues to lead the way in truck sales. I was invited to the fifth leg of their ongoing program for the drivers of Isuzu’s heavy truck models, which was held at the Honda Safety Driving Center in Parañaque City on November 14.
The exercises in the training sessions are meant to produce truck drivers who not only are better equipped in handling their vehicles, but also more knowledgeable in operating the various specialized functions of Isuzu’s C Series and E Series heavy-duty trucks. The training focused on the proper use of MJX16 transmission operation, vehicle inspection and maintenance and proper clutch adjustment.
In a statement, “As part of our ongoing efforts to better serve our fleet customers and the public, in general, we designed trainings that are intended to equip drivers with essential, yet practical, techniques on efficient driving and proper risk management while on the road. These help our customers improve cost efficiency and work productivity through driver education,” Koso said.
Those in the market for new trucks for their business are looking toward Isuzu’s direction. The company offers one of the most extensive lineup of trucks for any application.
Under the light-truck category, Isuzu offers four models to choose from, starting with the lightest NHR with a GVM (gross vehicle mass) rating of 3.8 tons, followed by NKR with a GVM of 4.5 tons. Meanwhile, their six-wheeled brothers, the NPR and NQR , boast of 6.5 and 8.5 tons GVM ratings, respectively. All models are powered by either 4JB1-TC or 4HG1-T Turbo with their latest Isuzu technology, like direct injection and turbocharging, to meet the latest emission standards.
For the medium-truck segment, the F-Series fulfills the need of customers who need trucks with a rating of 10,600 kg GVM up to 25,000 kg—all four models in the series are powered by a choice of either 4HK1-TCS for the FRR model or the 6HK1-TCN for the FSR, FVR and FVM models.
The F-Series model of Isuzu offers high-rigidity cab with a reduced blind spot. It offers a superior direct visibility to the driver. In the heavy-duty segment, the C and E Series offer better fuel economy, bigger payload capacity, excellent durability and smoke emission compliance.
The C and E Series can accommodate just about any configuration that businessmen need and Isuzu offers assistance to third-party manufacturers for this purpose.