Isuzu sales up 20% in 2014

MANILA, Philippines - The local unit of Japan’s Isuzu Motors Ltd. recorded a 19.8- percent sales growth in 2014 from a year ago supported by demand for the D-MAX pickup and Crosswind Asian utility vehicle.

In a statement, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) said its full-year 2014 sales hit 14,134 units, up from 11,793 units in the previous year.

IPC attributed the higher sales to steady demand seen for the D-MAX and Crosswind throughout the year.

For the September to December period, the all-new mu-X sports utility vehicle helped drive the increase in sales performance.

The mu-X launched in September, replaced the Alterra.

“The immediate success of the All-New Isuzu mu-X demonstrates the domestic market’s strong demand for fresh products that address consumers’ needs and aspirations,” IPC president Nobuo Izumina said.

“It is also an undeniable indicator of the market’s optimism brought about by a buoyant economy,” Izumina said.

Demand for Isuzu light-duty trucks also contributed to the uptick in sales in 2014.

Izumina said earlier IPC is aiming to sell 18,000 units this year as it expects to benefit from the growing demand for vehicles in the country.

While growth is expected in all of IPC’s vehicle offerings this year, the mu-X is seen to be the main driver of its higher sales.

The firm is aiming to sell a total of 6,000 mu-X units this year.

All Isuzu vehicles being sold here are locally-assembled in Laguna except for the mu-X which is imported from Thailand.