Isuzu Ute in talks with factory for SUV

Isuzu Ute Australia is putting the hard word on the parent company for supply of the SUV that will be based on the next-generation D-MAX.

Hitoshi Kono, the Managing Director for the commercial vehicle importer, explained to the Carsales Network that the SUV version of the D-MAX, named the MU7 (pictured), is practically a foregone conclusion for the local market, once the new-generation model is launched. Furthermore, there's more at stake than just growing the importer's local sales volumes.

"[Isuzu] is developing a new SUV to replace the MU7 for Thailand and other markets -- and we are still negotiating with Isuzu to bring it here. We want to do that... it would make a lot of sense," said Kono-san during a media conference announcing that the importer had just sold its 10,000 vehicle in Australia and has just appointed its 80th dealer.

"I personally called that SUV 'the missing link', when I made my presentation to Isuzu" he continued. "We want to sell to the mining sector. If you go to a remote mining site, normally they give the top guy the choice: 'What do you want to drive?' The guy says: 'Give me a LandCruiser'. Second guy says: 'Give me a Prado'. Of course [the third guy] gets the HiLux.

"I really want to convince Isuzu to give us an SUV, when it's completed."

The implication is clear. Customer retention for the Isuzu Ute brand will be boosted by an SUV offering for those who are moving up through the corporate ranks.

There's a hitch in the short term however. According to Kono-san, the entire global automotive industry is logistically held to ransom by the recent earthquake and tsunami that have devastated northern Japan. Even the shortage of a particular shade of red paint, with ingredients from "Tier three and four" parts suppliers, could hamper vehicle production -- not only in Japan, but other markets that rely on Japanese parts. These include America, China -- and Thailand, where the D-MAX is built.

As a consequence, introduction of the new D-MAX (and the SUV variant) has been delayed and Kono-san wouldn't even speculate on a provisional date for the new models' local launch. By implication, Japanese companies have bigger fish to fry than new vehicle development!

According to Kono-san, mainstream Japanese manufacturers have entered into a "gentleman's agreement" to get the parts suppliers back on their feet and avoid price gouging by suppliers in a Dutch auction. Up to a thousand engineers have been transported north to assist with reviving production facilities devastated by the quake and the subsequent tsunami.

There will be a clear flag raised when Isuzu is ready to put the new D-MAX into production, however: the photo-shoot for the new models' brochures will take place in Australia. Apparently the parent company likes the creative genius that went into the local brochures for the current D-MAX -- and IUA is now the effective centre of expertise for this activity.

So keep your eyes peeled anytime over the next 12 months or so for strange-looking pick-ups and SUVs wearing Isuzu badges. If they're being photographed by the side of the road in a scenic location, it's probably the new generation cars just months out from their global launch.

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