MANILA, Philippines — Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) once again bolstered its position as the authority in diesel-powered vehicles as it posted steady sales for its model lineup in 2011, with the Isuzu N-Series light-duty truck topping its segment.

Figures released by the Truck Manufacturers Association and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines showed that the N-Series took a commanding 69.4% share of Category III, the light-duty commercial truck segment, as the model recorded 1,196 units sold from January to December 2011. This marks a successful streak for the N-Series as it enjoyed an equally dominating 67.1% share in 2010 with 1,030 units sold. Impressively, the N-Series has overwhelmingly led Category III for 13 straight years since 1999.

“The N-Series trucks’ achievement of being the bestseller in a competitive class for 13 straight years is concrete proof of its superiority over its rivals,” said IPC President Ryoji Yamazaki. “It means the market has full confidence in the model, which can only be the result of a very satisfying ownership experience.”

Credit to the N-Series’ popularity goes in part to its versatility as the vehicle can be configured as a passenger van, aluminum cargo van, refrigerated van, fire truck, drop-side truck, aerial platform truck, refuse collector, dump truck, cargo truck or tanker. The N-Series’ durability and dependability have also made them the light commercial truck of choice among entrepreneurs and business partners.

Isuzu’s medium- and heavy-duty trucks were also as dominant in their Category IV and V segments. In 2011 IPC sold 240 units of these trucks, including the popular Forward model, with the vehicles accounting for 24.8% share of the segments. This is a marked growth from IPC’s 2010 figures, which showed that 165 medium- and heavy-duty trucks were sold, resulting in a 14.3% share.

In 2011, commercial vehicles continued to dominate the Philippine automotive industry with a 68.3% advantage over passenger cars, and cementing Isuzu’s hold on the commercial vehicle segment are the company’s Alterra, D-MAX and highly popular Crosswind models. From January to December last year, IPC sold 855 of the luxuriously equipped Alterra SUV; 2,500 units of the tough and hardworking D-MAX, with the pickup accounting for 16.3% of its class; and 5,029 units of the Crosswind, or a 16.7% share of its class. That led to IPC posting a tally of 9,820 units sold.

Besides continuously offering upgraded models that address customers’ desires and requirements, IPC’s steady market performance in 2011 can also be attributed to the various events that the company held, and the biggest of these was a show staged in April called “On the Right Truck to a Better Future.” An exclusive display of Isuzu’s commercial-vehicle lineup, the event showcased Isuzu’s ability to meet any transportation requirement of business entities and private individuals. The event also highlighted the clear advantages that brand-new trucks have over second-hand units, with the new Isuzu trucks helping the Philippine economy not only by providing reliable workhorses for entrepreneurs but also by creating manpower for the local manufacturing industry. (BCM)