On September 27, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) executives, led by President Hajime Koso and together with Isuzu Motors Ltd. Japan President and CEO, Masanori Katayama; Mitsubishi Corporation Japan Executive Vice President and Group CEO, Machinery Kazushi Okawa, Embassy of Japan Manila Takehiro Kano, along with dignitaries and members of the Philippine government motoring and transportation offices, spearheaded Isuzu Philippines Corporation’s 20th anniversary rites.
IPC President Hajime Koso expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the company’s partners in the Philippines, who have helped them grow to their current business standing and establish roots since IPC broke ground in the country some two decades ago. “This country has become our second home and gave us the wings to soar higher than what we were 20 years back. We are looking forward to 20 years and more. To our loyal partners, may you continue to put your trust on us and we promise that we will be finding more ways to meet your expectations,” Koso said.
The IPC executives also proudly announced the launching of their new product: Isuzu’s Blue Power Technology.
In an era where technology needs to benefit nature, Isuzu developed Blue Power: an eco-friendly diesel engine designed to promote green technology. The Blue Technology on Isuzu engines — which will be present on all vehicles in the Isuzu lineup — provides maximum engine output, cleaner emissions, superb fuel economy, as well as improved engine durability.
The 4JJ1-TCX engine found on the D-MAX and mu-X provides 177 PS and a maximum torque of 380 Nm while also comply with EURO 4 standards. The new facelifted mu-X, now has a six-speed transmission in both manual and automatic variants. Additionally, the new mu-X comes with Auto-Headlight Leveling, Hill Descent Control and 8-inch screen entertainment system with USB link and text-to-speech navigation, while the latest D-MAX offering comes with Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control, and is fitted with multiple USB ports for passengers’ mobile gadgets.
Undergoing a full-model change is the All-New Isuzu N-Series light-duty trucks, which not only received fresh face lifts throughout the series, but also features Isuzu Blue Power EURO 4 engines, namely: the 4JH1-TC (NLR77 model), 4JJ1-TC (NLR85, NMR85 & NPR85 models) and 4HK1-TCN (NQR75 model).
Furthermore, Isuzu’s medium-duty truck lineup, the F-Series, also sports the new Blue Power Technology. The 4HK1-TC (FRR), 6HK1-TCN (FSR and FVR), and the 6HK1-TCS (FVM) engines give these trucks more power and efficiency while complying with stringent EURO 4 standards — making these trucks more effective workhorses.
The Isuzu C- and E-Series truck line-up has also made the leap towards cleaner emissions: the 6WG1-TGR is now EURO compliant, meaning the engine has higher torque at low speed area due to the modified turbocharger and increased engine displacement.
“We are hoping yet we are confident that the Philippines will continue to patronize the brand with these substantial changes that we have introduced,” Koso noted. “We believe that these game changers are surely to hit it big in the local automotive industry.”