Isuzu Phils. plans to raise its local content for pick-up
All truck assembler Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) will increase its local content next year when it assembles the new variant of the 3-liter DMAX, which will now address strong demand for lifestyle pick-up vehicle.
Hajime Koso, president of IPC, said at the launch of the new variants of DMAX and muX VGS 3.0 Thursday that IPC will assemble starting April next year the 3.0 DMAX model, which the company currently imports as CBU (completely built up) packs from Thailand.
The assembly of the new DMAX variant is on top of the existing assembly of the 2.5-liter DMAX model at its Laguna plant, which by next will be producing between 400 to 500 units of both DMAX models. The muX will remain to be sourced from Thailand as CBU packs.
Koso said DMAX 3.0 will be fitted with a locally sourced chassis train that will be produced by one of its local automotive parts suppliers. The chassis will also boost the current 20 percent local content of DMAX by at least 5 percent.
The local assembly of 3.0 DMAX will entail no new investments on the part of IPC because the chassis will be provided by its local supplier. Also, the assembly line has already been put in place since IPC has been assembling the 2.5 DMAX since 2013.
Koso said there is no need also to raise its 15,000 unit production capacity at the plant, which is now producing 12,000 to 13,000 units of DMAX, Crosswind, and the pick-up models.
With strong sales, IPC has already revised its sales target for the year to 22,800 units from 18,000 units. Last year, the company sold a total of 14,000 units. The popular mu-X model now accounts for half of total sales followed by Crosswind, DMAX and its light trucks, particularly the N-Series.
IPC Vice-President Joseph Bautista explained that the launch of the more powerful new DMAX model is expected to address the Filipino demand for lifestyle vehicle. The existing 2.5 DMAX now accounts for 15 percent of the pick-up market segment.
With the introduction of the 3 liter variant DMAX, IPC expects to be more competitive in terms of pricing, performance and improve its ranking as the fourth pick-up model in the country after Hi-Lux, Ford, and Navarra.
Koso noted that in other countries in the region like Thailand, pick-up truck is more of a workhorse, but in the Philippines it is more of a lifestyle vehicle.
“Filipinos have the same taste as the US market in the pick-up truck, which is now more a lifestyle vehicle,” Koso said.
“While our current D-MAX and mu-X line-up is very much appreciated by the market, there are those who wish to have more power. Thus, we are giving our customers the freedom to choose – between our current 2.5-liter engine and the new 3.0 VGS Turbo variant,” said Koso.
The Isuzu D-MAX and mu-X are equipped with one of Isuzu’s
most powerful engine, the new 4JJ1TC (HI) 3.0-liter Diesel engine. Fitted with Common Rail Direct
Injection and an intercooled Variable Geometry System (VGS) turbocharger, the engine responds
quickly even at low speed and eliminates “turbo lag” or the delay in the distribution of power.
The new 4JJ1-TC (HI) engine also promotes Isuzu’s reputation of being reliable, durable and fuel efficient. Its lifetime steel timing chain and anti-friction melt-in cylinder liners are among its advantages that ensure durability. Evaluated to produce 163 Ps at 3,200 rpm and a high 380 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 2,200 rpm, the engine also provides plenty of power, translating to less gear changes, effortless hill climbing and easier off-road driving.
Prices of the Isuzu D-MAX 3.0 VGS Turbo come in the exciting Venetian Red color along with the existing colors Cosmic Black, Garnet Red, Titanium Silver and Splash White. The Isuzu DMAX 4x2 LS M/T is priced at 1,090,000; D-MAX 4x2 LS A/T at 1,160,000; DMAX 4x4 LS M/T at 1,360,000; D-MAX 4x4 LS A/T at 1,430,000.