Isuzu UTE tips major growth to continue

Double-digit sales growth for the combined sales of Isuzu UTE's D-MAX and MU-X is likely for 2017 and a very real possibility for 2018, says the company's Managing Director and CEO, Yasuhiro 'Yasu' Takeuchi.

Speaking at the recent national media launch for the updated models, Mr Takeuchi said the company's performance last year – where it achieved sales growth of 11 per cent – was actually its worst since the brand launched in Australia nine years ago.

"Actually, since the commencement of our business in 2008, for eight years we are always achieving double-digit growth," he said.

"Previous worst record was 22 per cent."

Of course, achieving such figures off a starting base of zero isn't so difficult, but maintaining that growth as numbers build is another matter altogether. Isuzu UTE sold 10,089 vehicles in 2013, with that figure climbing to 16,674 in 2014, then 20,984 in 2015 and 23,377 last year.

While the figures swelled after the introduction of D-MAX's SUV sibling, the MU-X, in 2013, the utility's popularity has also been growing – it was the third-best-selling model in the 4x2 category last year and the sixth-best-selling 4x4 ute.

Sales of the MU-X also remain robust, with 7018 examples of the SUV sold last year to register growth of 10.6 per cent.

Efforts directed towards fleet sales in particular saw 4x2 D-MAX sales grow by an impressive 50.9 per cent last year, while sales of the 4x4 D-MAX held steady over a strong 2015 result, registering minimal sales growth last year of just 0.2 per cent.

The company will pass a major sales milestone this year, too, with Australia's 100,000th Isuzu UTE model to be delivered in coming months.

"We will crack 100,000 accumulated sales this year for sure, probably within the first half," said Mr Takeuchi.

"Now we have a lot of customers here in Australia we will continue to pay attention to customer satisfaction, and to improving our aftersales service as well."

Mr Takeuchi said he believed the company would continue to grow substantially here in coming years.

"Now we have a new model, so we believe we can continue to grow and continue to achieve double-digit growth this year," he said.

"My dream is that for 10 years [from 2008] we can continue to grow in double digits."

For that dream to come true, Isuzu UTE sales would have to reach 25,714 units this year – and 28,286 next year.

According to Ben Jaeger, Isuzu UTE's Assistant General Sales Manager, the company has a couple of prime rivals well within its sights.

"We're more than confident of tracking down [Nissan's] Navara in 2017," he said at the press launch.

Last year, Nissan Navara sales totalled 16,755 units – 396 units more than those for the D-MAX.

"We believe we can take [Holden's] Colorado at some stage. We do have the network, we do have the passion and we definitely have the product now."

When asked how Isuzu UTE plans to keep its momentum rolling, Mr Takeuchi was matter of fact.

"Rather than trying some kind of fancy or eye-catching features, we like to continue to have our core competence, and that is our reliability and our customer satisfaction," he said.

"So on paper maybe we are not the best or the fanciest, but as for actual driving and as real tools, we want to be the best."