Story & Photos by Randy S. Peregrino
ISUZU Philippines Corp. (IPC) recently held another successful Truck Fest display event in Iloilo City, where its latest models of the truck lineup in various designs for specific functions were showcased. As one of the country’s leading truck manufacturer, IPC aims to expand its brand presence in the Visayas and Mindanao area. Concluded as the third leg, Isuzu Truck Fest kicked off in May in Manila and followed in Cebu earlier in August.
Being the second-largest market in the Visayas region, Iloilo City is also a progressive city in terms of its infrastructure projects and developments—road widening on main highways and bridge constructions, among others, were evident during our visit. IPC considers this as an opportunity to establish potential customers from construction firms. Not to mention, the province’s large population of OFW families is the company’s market for Isuzu light-commercial vehicles.
Highlighted during the event were several different Isuzu trucks ranging from light, medium to heavy-duty models. Up front were the NPR71 with Aluminum Van, NQR71 Cab and Chassis, and FRR with Dropside versions decorated the showroom façade, while the NHR series with Flexi Truck Body and iVAN body lined up at the service area and inside the display area.
Present during the occasion was no other than IPC Senior Vice President for Sales Arthur Balmadrid, who spearheaded the program with opening remarks. Also present was IPC Marketing Head Joseph Bautista, who made the presentation slides of Isuzu C and E heavy-duty truck series, emphasizing on the different variants for logistics and construction applications. Other attendees were Daisuke Inaba, IPC vice president for sales, parts and service; Rene D. Paningbatan, president of Isuzu Cebu Inc.; Steve M. Gingco, general manager of Isuzu Cebu Inc., and Rene Tagamolila, branch manager of Isuzu Iloilo Corp.
Apart from expanding its trademark presence, Isuzu is also working on refurbishing its local dealership facilities nationwide. Isuzu Iloilo finished its showroom renovation earlier this year to make way for more display area and better customer service. Paningbatan, who also handles the operations in Iloilo, said the renovation is just one way to show their responsibility to their clients. “It is our mission to continue to serve our customers better, what we have done here is to make sure that they will have the best vehicle-buying experience here in our showroom,” he said.
The Isuzu Truck Fest will head down south to Isuzu Cagayan de Oro from September 7 to 12, September 21 to 26 in Isuzu Batangas, September 29 to October 3 in Isuzu Isabela and the final leg in Isuzu Pangasinan from October 6 to 10.
In the duration of the Truck Fest display, registered customers have the chance to enjoy cash discounts plus P10,000 worth of parts coupons and free the Philippines’ Land Transportation Office registration upon actual purchase of any Isuzu trucks.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino