Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) registered an 11.7% January-to-June growth year-on-year. This strong performance went along with the record 68,467 shipments or 15.5% increase in the automotive industry’s commercial vehicle sales.
6,429 Isuzu vehicles were sold in the first half of the year, 672 units more than the same period last year. According to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. and Truck Manufacturers’ Association, Inc., these sales are testament to the value-for-money proposition of Isuzu products. These figures were led by the Isuzu D-Max which saw 1,998 pick-ups sold; almost double the 1,042 D-Max sales of 2013’s first half.
Launched September 2013, the D-Max’s steady growth contributed greatly to the total 5,018 light commercial vehicle shipments from the company. This reception for Isuzu’s pick-up cushioned the blow from the slow movements of Isuzu’s Crosswind and Alterra models.
Additionally, Isuzu’s NHR and NKR Category III trucks sold 1,010 units, a 25.6% increase year-over-year which helped cement the company as the third leading commercial vehicle dealer for the year’s first semester. Meanwhile, Category IV truck sales rose 10.2% and heavy-duty trucks saw a double-and-a-half increase in shipments.
Just for the month of June, Isuzu rode the momentum it gained with its 351-unit May sales, this time with 355 vehicles sold. Category III and Category IV truck sales increased 26.5% and 19.1% respectively leading to a June growth of 3.3% or 1,156 sales for the month over the 1,119 vehicles in May. As for the automotive industry’s commercial vehicle sales as a whole, there was a 6.1% June decline, selling just 11,372 units compared to the 12,110 units sold in May.
Despite this, Isuzu President Nobuo Izumina remains positive that the company will further grow as the year drones on. He said, “The recent credit upgrade that the Philippines received should have a significant effect in local consumer spending, which would positively impact vehicle sales in the country. The almost 25% growth in vehicle sales in the first half of 2014 should further build momentum. We at Isuzu Philippines also expect continued growth, owing largely to the unwavering trust that Filipinos have placed on Isuzu’s reliable, durable and fuel-efficient models. Definitely, these are vehicles built for long-term use.”
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s call to discontinue the use of old and unsafe vehicles will also likely contribute to the growth of IPC’s commercial vehicle sales as it is one of the segment’s top producers in the country.