- 100,000 vehicle sales since 2008
- Eight years of consecutive double-digit growth
- Growing national dealer network
- Class-leading Customer Satisfaction
Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) achieved a major milestone in April 2017 – as internationally – the Japanese brand celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Setting Australian foundations in October 2008, the Brisbane-based distributor has experienced phenomenal growth in its short tenure, and has just posted 100,000 cumulative unit sales of its 1-tonne D-MAX ute and 7-seat MU-X SUV since inception.
As an illustration of IUA's increasingly rapid rise, and the growing popularity of its products in the Australian market, it took two-and-a-half years for the first 10,000 Isuzu UTE vehicles to be sold after its introduction in 2008, but less than six months to post the most recent 10,000 sales. For eight consecutive years IUA has posted double-digit sales growth.
In unison with its rapid sales growth, IUA's dealership network has also expanded – from an original 39 dealers in 2008 to a group of over 130 outlets across the country today – with plans afoot for further strategic growth.
"Since launch, our products have been endorsed with awards both here and internationally leaving no doubt they are capable performers – and this is backed by the positive feedback we receive from both our private and fleet customers who put our vehicles to the test in some very extreme conditions day-in, day-out," IUA's Managing Director & CEO Yasu Takeuchi said.
"Our exceptional customer satisfaction results reflect our philosophy to deliver customers honest, reliable products that are not only fit for purpose, but exceed our customer's expectations," he added.
IUA has had its excellent product reliability and after-sales service claims validated in the recent Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Awards, which placed IUA second behind eventual winner Lexus in its 2016 Car Manufacturer of the Year. IUA was the only other manufacturer outside of Lexus to score individual monthly wins in the awards.
"While our brilliant products lie at the core of our success, the quality of our marketing, sales and dealership service, as well as our after-sales care complete the positive customer experience that people expect when making a significant investment in a brand.
"I believe that if we can continue to deliver on our promises and respect the trust of our customers, our brand will continue to grow from strength to strength," Mr. Takeuchi said.
Isuzu UTE in Australia – Road to 100,000 sales
2008 - 273 annual sales.
- THE ISUZU D-MAX IS LAUNCHED IN AUSTRALIA
IUA launches locally with the internationally branded D-MAX, taking on the ultra-competitive 1-tonne ute market with a powerful and efficient 3.0L common-rail turbo diesel engine. IUA opens with 39 dealerships in its first year.
2009 - 3,566 annual sales.
The IUA-backed Isuzu D-MAX of Sydney's Bruce Garland finishes the 2009 Dakar Rally as the top-placed diesel ute, 11th place outright and first T1/2 Amateur in the 177-starter class.
2010 - 5,114 annual sales.
- A STYLISH UPDATE STRENGTHENS THE AUSTRALIAN RANGE
The new-look Isuzu D-MAX is launched to the demanding Australian market, continuing the tradition of Isuzu UTE's tough, stylish and economical vehicle line-up.
2011 - 6,397 annual sales, 15,000 cumulative sales.
- LEGENDARY FUEL ECONOMY PROVEN IN TEST
Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki drive 3,452km from Melbourne to Cairns in an Isuzu D-MAX using just 189.67 litres of diesel to average 5.49 litres/100km in IUA's annual MAX RUN CHALLENGE fuel economy competition. Their refuels, odometer readings and load were verified and security-sealed on-site by RACV, NRMA and RACQ representatives.
2012 - 7,782 annual sales, 20,000 cumulative sales.
The dawn of a new era for Isuzu D-MAX. Retaining an exclusive 3.0L engine, the totally new D-MAX landed in Australia and brought with it new levels of power, comfort and safety.
2013 - 10,209 annual sales, 30,000 cumulative sales.
- FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY CONFIDENCE
IUA introduces a five-year warranty with five years Roadside Assistance for all new vehicles – a testament to the immense confidence in the reliability, strength and durability of our engineering.
Eagerly anticipated for years, Isuzu brings back a serious 7-seat SUV that offers a balanced combination of performance, comfort, style and off-road ability. Sales commenced in Australia in December 2013.
Australia's leading precision driving team makes the switch to the Isuzu D-MAX and begins to wow crowds across the country with their daredevil performances that test the strength and capability of the D-MAX.
2014 - 16,674 annual sales, 50,000 cumulative sales.
- 5 STAR ANCAP & 3.5 TONNE TOWING INTRODUCED
IUA records the sale of its 50,000th vehicle since entering the Australian market in late-2008. IUA's accelerated growth in 2014 was in part helped by the introduction of the MU-X, as well as stronger fleet sales performance which was buoyed by the introduction of an ANCAP 5-Star safety rating and improved 3.5 tonne towing capacity on specific D-MAX models.
- GRASSROOTS SPORTS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM LAUNCHED
IUA's Local Sports Sponsorship Fund is launched, and in the coming years delivers over $1,000,000 of funding into junior community sporting teams and clubs around Australia.
2015 - 20,984 annual sales, 70,000 cumulative sales.
- 'GO YOUR OWN WAY' RE-BRAND INTRODUCED
The GO YOUR OWN WAY marketing platform is developed to reflect the spirit of Isuzu UTE Australia, its dealer network, its staff and its customers. The GO YOUR OWN WAY brand tagline is reflective of the new brand direction, which features the iconic song GO YOUR OWN WAY, covered by the Australian rock band Kingswood.
- DEALERSHIP NETWORK GROWS TO 100 OUTLETS
The continual expansion of Isuzu UTE's dealership network reaches 100 dealers nationally. Additions to IUA's dealership footprint include a combination of high-profile metropolitan and regional locations along with several rural outlets designed to service and support IUA's growing mining fleet customers.
- IUA INTRODUCES THE I-VENTURE CLUB
A new initiative to help their owners to get the most out of their Isuzu vehicle in a safe and structured environment under expert tutelage – The I-VENTURE CLUB quickly becomes a hit with Isuzu owners, offering them the opportunity to join excursions to some of Australia's most breathtaking — and challenging — off-road destinations.
2016 - 23,377 annual sales, 90,000 cumulative sales.
- 90,000 SALES IN AUSTRALIA
Following strong EOFY sales in June, IUA reaches a milestone of 90,000 vehicle sales in the Australian market since launch in 2008. MU-X cements its place as the top-selling ute-based SUV.
- PROVEN CLASS LEADING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
IUA validates its product, sales and service strengths, placing second behind Lexus in Roy Morgan's annual Customer Satisfaction Awards for the second year running.
2017 - 100,000 cumulative sales.
In Isuzu's centenary year, and in a world first for Isuzu, the 17MY Isuzu D-MAX & MU-X launches with a Euro5 emission compliant drivetrain developed exclusively for Australia. With the upgraded 3.0L turbo diesel engine producing 430Nm of torque and with new 6-speed automatic & manual transmissions, the new D-MAX & MU-X is designed to impress in the demanding Australian market and ensure continued sales success.
About Isuzu UTE Australia
Based in Brisbane, Queensland, Isuzu UTE Australia was founded in 2008 bringing the award winning Isuzu D-MAX to Australia and then in 2013, the Isuzu MU-X 7 seat SUV. Despite being comparatively new to Australia, our global network is extremely well established with over 100 years of automotive experience and expertise behind us.
We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's largest trading and investment company, Mitsubishi Corporation with which Isuzu Motors Limited has extensive business arrangements. Isuzu Motors dates back to 1916 and is now the world's largest manufacturer of trucks and diesel engines. Producing heavy, medium and light-duty trucks, buses, passenger vehicle engines, marine and industrial-use diesel engines, Isuzu Motors is at the forefront of vehicle chassis and diesel engine technology.
Our resources and our automotive knowledge are vast, and this shows in the quality of our product and level of service. With a network of over 130 authorised Isuzu UTE dealers across every state and territory in Australia, we pride ourselves on providing the highest level of service and support throughout the entire country.