Isuzu

Posted by Bob Aldons - Northstar Isuzu Ute

Global demand for Isuzu’s Australian-developed and made official D-Max accessories.

If you want to experience D-Max for yourself, call into Northstar Isuzu Ute at 320 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring on the Redcliffe Peninsula. We're only 15 minutes or so from Brisbane Airport and a leisurely drive down the highway from Noosa, Bundaberg, Maryborough, and a short trip from Nambour, Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Bribie Island. We also get a lot of our customers as FIDO - that's not a dog by the way, that's fly in drive out. With cheap airfares, our customers come in from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Mt Isa and even Sydney, Melbourne and as far away as Perth.

We'll happily arrange a drive home registration and you know the best thing about this? The drive home gives you just the best running in you'll ever get. New engines love a long drive to bed everything in and you'll get the best economy you've ever experienced. Alternatively if you're time or distance poor, check us out online at www.lovemyisuzu.com.au or read more reviews at www.mycarreview.com.au . Finally, if you can't come to us, we'll come to your home, workplace or worksite - call Northstar on 1300 NTH STAR or 1300 684 782.

FACTORY-approved add-ons such as bull-bars, tow bars and air inlet snorkels that are designed and made in Australia for the Isuzu D-Max one-tonner are in demand around the world.

Australia’s reputation for high quality, well-designed off-road accessories has made it a centre of development for official upgrades to the rugged Thai-built workhorse, sales of which are booming globally.

Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) deputy managing director Takeshi ‘Kasa’ Kasahara told GoAuto the company “receives many phone calls from countries like the UK, Germany and South Africa about our accessories”.

“We develop many accessories in Australia and all over the world people appreciate Aussie quality and design,” he said.

Mr Kasahara said IUA worked with respected 4x4 accessory specialists including ARB, TJM and Hayman Reese to develop its official accessories.

TJM provides a snorkel kit for the D-Max, Hayman Reese is responsible for the official tow bar and ARB supplies body protection such as bull bars.

He added that ARB is also developing a suspension upgrade to increase the ute’s gross vehicle mass rating beyond its current class-leading ability to carry a tonne in the tray while towing a three-tonne trailer.

Cosmetic items like sports bars and tonneau covers are also sourced from Australian suppliers.

Mr Kasahara said official differential lock upgrades are not planned due to the majority of global D-Max sales being in Thailand, where most customers go for the less expensive 4x2 variants and few venture off-road.

Demand for factory-backed products like Isuzu’s can only be good news for the Australian automotive aftermarket industry, which like all manufacturing, faces the challenge of a high Aussie dollar and global economic uncertainty.

Australia’s automotive aftermarket industry supports 30,000 jobs, turns over $11 billion a year and produces exports worth $800 million.

In terms of Aussie-made official products, Nissan produces official accessories at its casting plant in Dandenong, Victoria, Mazda developed an airbag-compatible bull-bar for its BT-50 in Australia and Volkswagen helped design an Australian-made tray for its Amarok cab-chassis.

Fiat-Chrysler accessory, parts and servicing brand Mopar is also open to adding Aussie products to its catalogue.....read more

Posted by Bob Aldons - Northstar Isuzu Ute

Busy 2013 planned as Isuzu Ute Australia celebrates record D-Max sales in November

If you want to experience D-Max for yourself, call into Northstar Isuzu Ute at 320 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring on the Redcliffe Peninsula. We're only 15 minutes or so from Brisbane Airport and a leisurely drive down the highway from Noosa, Bundaberg, Maryborough, and a short trip from Nambour, Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Bribie Island. We also get a lot of our customers as FIDO - that's not a dog by the way, that's fly in drive out. With cheap airfares, our customers come in from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Mt Isa and even Sydney, Melbourne and as far away as Perth.

We'll happily arrange a drive home registration and you know the best thing about this? The drive home gives you just the best running in you'll ever get. New engines love a long drive to bed everything in and you'll get the best economy you've ever experienced. Alternatively if you're time or distance poor, check us out online at www.lovemyisuzu.com.au or read more reviews at www.mycarreview.com.au . Finally, if you can't come to us, we'll come to your home, workplace or worksite - call Northstar on 1300 NTH STAR or 1300 684 782.

ISUZU Ute Australia is preparing to build on this year’s successful launch of its new-generation D-Max one-tonner with plans to strengthen marketing and raise the brand’s profile through sponsorships and off-road drive days.

The company is also considering the introduction of capped-price servicing, is pushing to expand the dealer network with more service centres for remote areas, and working to address the vehicle’s disappointing four-star ANCAP safety rating.

IUA is celebrating a record month, reporting 800 sales of the D-Max in November to beat its previous best of 741 units in August, pushing year-to-date sales up by a quarter on the same period in 2011.

A monthly sales rate of 800 units would put the company on track to hit its target of between 9000 and 10,000 units next year.

As reported in October, the anticipated arrival next year of the MU-7 – a seven-seat SUV based on the D-Max – will double Isuzu’s product offering in Australia and potentially offset any downturn in the fleet-driven ute market.

IUA deputy managing director Takeshi ‘Kasa’ Kasahara told GoAuto the increased number of D-Max variants – including the popular ‘suicide-door’ space cab – and the wider availability of a better, more fuel-efficient automatic transmission in the new model have helped increase its appeal.

“It depends on the whole economy, especially mining and natural resources, so between 9000 and 10,000 units next year is not an impossible target,” he said.

From top: IUA deputy managing director Takeshi Kasahara; Isuzu D-Max ENCAP crash testing; Isuzu 4x4 training facility in Pattaya, Thailand.

IUA aims to eventually take a 15-20 per cent share of the Australian one-tonner market, which would mean up to 20,000 annual sales – close to the level of the Nissan Navara and a significant increase from its current 6.8 per cent share of the 4x4 ute market.

However, Mr Kasahara admitted supply from the stretched Thai production facility (see separate story) could become a factor.

“In Thailand they have a 90,000-unit back order so (while) we are aiming at 10,000 units next year, maybe capacity will be our headache,” he said.

Supply of some D-Max variants has already come under pressure in Australia with the unexpected popularity of certain variants and increased interest among younger buyers.

IUA senior public relations manager Dave Harding said the company is “making deliberate inroads to that younger demographic through some of our marketing activities”.

“It is a better-looking car than the previous model, more attractive to that demographic,” said Mr Harding.

“While some of (the younger potential buyers) might not be able to afford a D-Max now, we are trying to garner that aspiration for a couple of years’ time when they can afford it”.

Mr Harding said advertising campaigns that more strongly convey a tough image for the D-Max are part of the plan, along with a bigger sponsorship push. Existing sponsorships include the Showtime FMX motorcycle stunt team and the Movember men’s charity.

Off-road drive days are also under consideration, with the Beaudesert 4x4 facility near IUA’s Brisbane base mooted as a potential location....read more

Posted by Bob Aldons - Northstar Isuzu Ute

If you want to experience D-Max for yourself, call into Northstar Isuzu Ute at 320 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring on the Redcliffe Peninsula. We're only 15 minutes or so from Brisbane Airport and a leisurely drive down the highway from Noosa, Bundaberg, Maryborough, and a short trip from Nambour, Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Bribie Island. We also get a lot of our customers as FIDO - that's not a dog by the way, that's fly in drive out. With cheap airfares, our customers come in from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Mt Isa and even Sydney, Melbourne and as far away as Perth.

We'll happily arrange a drive home registration and you know the best thing about this? The drive home gives you just the best running in you'll ever get. New engines love a long drive to bed everything in and you'll get the best economy you've ever experienced. Alternatively if you're time or distance poor, check us out online at www.lovemyisuzu.com.au or read more reviews at www.mycarreview.com.au . Finally, if you can't come to us, we'll come to your home, workplace or worksite - call Northstar on 1300 NTH STAR or 1300 684 782.

Isuzu D-max for 2013 Dakar Rally

Based on the D-Max 4x4 double-cab

Isuzu has prepared a Dakar Rally version of the D-Max that will compete in January at the 35th edition.

It is based on a production D-Max 4x4 double-cab and comes with a 3.0-liter engine turbodiesel engine that produces 242 hp (180 kW) at 4,800 rpm and 589 Nm (434 lb-ft) of torque at 2,000 rpm. The engine is connected to a sequential 5-speed Hollinger gearbox and Xtreme rally clutch.

The pickup truck features a four-wheel drive system and can do the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in 7 seconds (on dirt) before reaching a maximum speed of 190 km/h ....read more

Commentary by Bob Aldons - Northstar Isuzu Ute

We've had Isuzu D-Max since 2009 and in this last 3 years the vehicle has proven to be our most reliable 4WD. Prior to July 2012, the combatants were Mitsubishi with Triton and new comer Volkswagen with Amarok.

One thing of note is the lack of warranty work we've had to perform on D-Max. The other brands have both had their problems - a few niggling things with Amarok, medium to major issues with Mitsubishi. Over the same timeframe, Isuzu D-Max has been a treasure. I've driven one for the last 3 years and have always enjoyed what D-Max does and how it does it.

I'm not driving a Isuzu currently, but only due to lack of supply rather than anything else. Over the last 3 years, the opposition has stepped up their game and whilst once upon a time Toyota ruled the roost with Hilux, the same can't be said in 2012. Nissan, Mazda, Ford, Volkswagen, Holden have a formidable army up against D-Max, but as this article concludes, "If I was looking for a purposeful off-roader, it'd be hard to go past the D-Max" Enough said.

If you want to experience D-Max for yourself, call into Northstar Isuzu Ute at 320 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring on the Redcliffe Peninsula. We're only 15 minutes or so from Brisbane Airport and a leisurely drive down the highway from Noosa, Bundaberg, Maryborough, and a short trip from Nambour, Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Bribie Island. We also get a lot of our customers as FIDO - that's not a dog by the way, that's fly in drive out. With cheap airfares, our customers come in from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Mt Isa and even Sydney, Melbourne and as far away as Perth.

We'll happily arrange a drive home registration and you know the best thing about this? The drive home gives you just the best running in you'll ever get. New engines love a long drive to bed everything in and you'll get the best economy you've ever experienced. Alternatively if you're time or distance poor, check us out online at www.lovemyisuzu.com.au or read more reviews at www.mycarreview.com.au . Finally, if you can't come to us, we'll come to your home, workplace or worksite - call Northstar on 1300 894 655.

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the Isuzu D-Max with specs, fuel economy and verdict.

When you've only got one vehicle on sale, it better be a good one. If off-road ability rates ahead of cabin ambience, the Isuzu D-Max has just that. In terms of solidity and reliability it has the credentials to make life tough for the established four-wheel drive utes.

Its four-cylinder engine gives away torque to its rivals but makes up for it with a ruggedness that is hard to argue with.

VALUE

At $50,700 the Isuzu LS-T is relying on reputation and build quality rather than discount pricing to win sales. The top-spec BT-50 is $51,140 and the XLT Ranger is $53,390. Both have a more car-like interior and more torque.

Closer to home, the Holden Colorado shares the Isuzu's platform and interior styling and its 2.8-litre donk brings a 3.5-tonne tow rating against 3.0-tonnes for the Isuzu's 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four. It doesn't have the features or off-road cred of the Isuzu, though. The LS-T's advantages include leather seats, a reversing camera and sat nav on the 6.5-inch touch screen, comfier rear seats and hill ascent/descent control.....read more.