Despite the economic slowdown as a result of the lockdowns needed to contain a pandemic, Isuzu Philippines Corp found itself celebrating a milestone 24 years in the making.
In an Oct. 5 virtual press conference with the Philippine media, IPC celebrated its 300,000th unit sales milestone, achieved sometime this August when its Leyte dealership concluded the sale of an Isuzu D-Max RZ4E pickup. By the end of the month, IPC had already sold a total of 300,133 units. Since IPC began operations in 1996, it had sold 113,475 AUVs, 64,245 pick-ups, 63,669 SUVs and 58,744 trucks by August 2020—numbers that have led the Japanese-based manufacturer to be the country’s number one maker and distributor of trucks for 20 straight years.
IPC President Hajime Koso told the media: “It took us 12 years to achieve our first 100,000-unit sales milestone, 9 years to reach the 200,000-unit sales mark, and six years to our 300,000th milestone. The period for selling 100,000 units has been shortened by three years. Looking at it in a long-term perspective, Isuzu will continue to grow more as the period for selling 100,000 units is not far as the economy continues to recover.”
IPC’s achievement can be attributed to the company’s wide range of CVs that has served as a reliable business solution to its clientele nationwide.
Joseph Bautista, IPC sales division head, also attributed IPC’s success to continuous purchases from enterprise and logistics companies. “We continue to dominate the B2B and B2C sector, particularly those that are delivering essential goods. We also continuously supply manufacturing companies, construction and other sectors with light-duty and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.”
Bautista remained cautious for this year’s sales estimates, however. “Our target for the year is 11,000 units sold. The whole industry is targeting 240,000 units, a big drop from the early projection of 480,000, because of the public health situation.”
Koso, during last month’s Inquirer Motoring interview, revealed that IPC’s cab and chassis segment had doubled in sales this January to July compared to the same period last year. He surmised that this was due to the increase in small-lot delivery-type logistics called “last mile delivery”, fueled by safety measures to minimize the spread of CoViD-19.
In his closing remarks, IPC vice president Shojiro Sakoda stressed that the organization is geared for change. “Let us look forward to the greater change that awaits us. We must be adaptive to the fast-changing world brought about by the pandemic. IPC is now working very hard to develop and adapt to emerging technologies.”
Koso pinpointed digitalization as one area where IPC would focus on. “IPC has geared up for digital transformation, as we have formed a digital task force that specializes in creating a new business platform for the new normal. I think we can present various solutions to you, and this is something to look forward to.”
Koso told Inquirer Motoring in September that, “with the ongoing digital transformation of majority of automotive companies, the future of purchasing a vehicle would definitely change.” He said transacting online is no longer an option, but the way to go, and what car companies need now is to strengthen the “digital trust” of clients, and for dealers to reassure clients that transacting online is safe and convenient for them.
IPC also announced a number of promotions and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities from October to December in appreciation of the Filipinos’ trust in the brand and also as a way to give back to society. The “300K Thank You Big Discount Promo” runs up to December 31, 2020. IPC gives an additional P30,000 discount to every purchase of a D-Max RZ4E and Traviz S, increasing its total discount to P180,000 and P130,000 respectively. Other variants still enjoy the current discount offering.
All Isuzu buyers will also receive free Shell GO+ welcome kit with fuel cards courtesy of Isuzu’s official fuel partner, Pilipinas Shell, up to December 31, 2020.
With the “Drive the 300K” promo, all Isuzu vehicles with odometer readings between 300,000 and 310,000 kms automatically enjoy a 30-percent discount on parts and labor, which can be availed until October 31, 2020.
For the “Arigato Frontliners” promo, all out-of-warranty Isuzu vehicles owned by frontliners can avail of the quick-change oil services in any Isuzu dealer for as low as P1,700 during the promo period from October 1 to December 31, 2020.
IPC will hold an “Online Tambayan” virtual meet/hangout with the three biggest and most active owners’ clubs, namely the Mu-X Owners Philippines on October 10, Team ICE (Isuzu Car Enthusiast) on October 17, and Team Isuzu Pilipinas on October 24.
Since March, the company has been lending vehicles to different hospitals to service frontliners as part of its “Isuzu Kasama Mo” campaign. Charitable institutions like Philippines Red Cross and Caritas Manila are also regular beneficiaries of their drive to donate PPEs and medical supplies.
IPC continues its support to the medical field as it is set to donate medical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical facemasks and gloves to one beneficiary hospital each in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. These are the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City, the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, and the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro.
For more details on Isuzu’s 300,000th unit sale milestone activities, get in touch with any Isuzu dealership nationwide, or log on to www.isuzuphil.com.
