Amongst the other reasons why I haven't been blogging recently is that I've been charging around attending the new launch event for the all-new,and long-awaited,Isuzu Forward series up to 18-tonnes (and the new 'Grafter' range too). It was held at the Milton Keynes Bowl (despite some highly misleading signs which were no fault of Isuzu!) with yours truly and other assorted hacks from Her Majesty's Truck Press rubbing shoulders with real-life punters and Isuzu operators. So instead of as rather low key presentation we got the all singing-dancing customer event including ostrich feather-clad luvvlies, and various circus acts including these two daring young men on the flying trapeze....
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However, as you can see from Biglorryblog's pictures they DID rather go to town on the dry-ice, which meant that when it came to taking pictures everything seemed to be surrounded by a Dartmoor fog! See what I mean?
Fortunately we'd already agreed with Isuzu Truck UK's genial marketing supremo and all-round good egg Keith Child to get some proper shots the following day--just as well really. Anyway you can read all about the new Isuzu range in a full four-page report in Comercial Motor this Thursday. But for the moment click through here to see the woman behind it all and read about the sales target that IT(UK) has set itself for the next three years....
And here she is, Isuzu Truck (UK)'s no-nonsense lady-boss Nikki King who, together with her highly-focussed team, has done a fantastic job in bringing Isuzu to the attention of the British truck operators. And the man on the right is Goro Shintani, executive vice president on the board of Isuzu Motors who talked about Isuzu's next three-year plan which will include Isuzu Truck (UK) selling 5,000 trucks a year—effectively double what it does today.
Having seen the standard cab spec on Isuzu’s new rigids I reckon European rivals may well decide to re-think their options list. But what will really put the cat amongst the pigeons is that IT(UK) is rolling out its current 3-year unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance package to all new models up to 18-tonnes—an offering that it will find more challenging as it sells more vehicles.
However, the REAL ace up IT(UK)’s sleeve could be that it is looking to deliver chassis within four-to-five months of an order being placed---whilst European truck makers are currently struggling to do the same in much under 12 months. Meanwhile, the new Isuzu middleweights will be officially launched at this month’s CV Show when full details on prices and kerbweights will also be given. And naturally BLB will be there to report on them...only just go easy on the dry-ice OK guys?
Comments (2)
It looks like a very interesting range of vehicles and an impressive event too - didn't they give you a nice press pack with lots of lovely photos and a CD though so you need not have taken your own, Brian? (and if they did could I have them when you've finished please?!)
Posted by Richard Stanier | April 8, 2008 9:49 AM
Posted on April 8, 2008 09:49
these guys are going to do some real damage in the uk - you can see it on thier faces...
Posted by russ hurley | April 9, 2008 5:11 PM
Posted on April 9, 2008 17:11