Isuzu sees big sales opportunities in Laos and Cambodia
Isuzu sees big sales opportunities in Laos and Cambodia
After the launch of the new ISUZU MU-X in Laos in the second half of last year, Isuzu Motors International Operations (Thailand) Co., Ltd. reported that the new model achieved rapid acceptance and recognition by customers and the general public.
To further enhance public awareness of the new vehicle the company organised trips to Thailand for VIP customers and members of the media from both Laos and Cambodia over March 28-30. President of Resident Tri Petch ISUZU Sales Co., LTD. Mr Hiroshi Nakagawa thanked customers for supporting the New ISUZU MU-X to make the first year after the launch reached more than 20,000 vehicles purchased, indicating that people have shown their trust in the Isuzu model.
The Assistant General Manager of the Sales Department for the Middle East, Central and South America, Laos and Cambodia of Isuzu Motor International Operations Company Limited, Mr Koichiro Yoshida, told the press about the strong sales of all new Isuzu models in each country, which was especially true for the ISUZU MU-X.
He said that the new model, after its launch in Thailand in 2013, had already reached sales of over 20,000 there and that their customers had told them they were well satisfied with the design and comfortable interior.
Despite the early rush in Thailand having tapered off somewhat in the first two months of this year the market in Europe is steadily growing and the emergence of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) at the end of this year will see substantial increases in sales in both Laos and Cambodia, necessitating the company having to increase its after sales service.
The Manager of the Sales Department Asia/Asean Section Mr Theeradej Pongloahapun said the company is confident that sales of the ISUZU MU-X will increase substantially despite not reaching target last year which was due to the economic situation and other factors out of their control.
He said that even though there are many competitive brands of pickup on the market the company believes that Isuzu will grow steadily because their models have received many awards such as the Good Design Award (from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion), the 2014-2015 Best Mid-Size SUV (from Car Award Group, Philippines) as well as Best PPV Diesel 2WD. It was also voted the best out of three similar vehicles by 4x4 magazine in Australia.
In Laos the New ISUZU MU-X was officially launched to the public in August 2014 and has achieved sales of more than one hundred, while in Cambodia after its launch in October last year they have only sold 25 so there is plenty of work still to be done.
This year the company expects sales of the new vehicle in Laos will reach more than 300 and for the D-Max they will go over 1,000, while in Cambodia they expect at least 130 and 300 respectively.
From research work they have done, in Laos the market for pickups is 40 percent of the total for four-wheeled vehicles as it proves to be the most convenient way of combining commercial and private use here, and it saves fuel and other costs.
Managing Director of Isuzu Lao Service Sole Company Mr Vilasaykham Philaphandeth said the company this year expects to sell more than 1,000 of the new ISUZU MU-X and D-MAX
Isuzu Motors Company (Thailand) Limited was established in 1966 as an overseas production facility of Isuzu Motors Limited and has become a top leading automobile manufacturer in Thailand with a product range stretching from pickups to heavy duty trucks.
In 2011 the company launched an updated version of the ISUZU D-MAX and will keep offering the best products to meet customer needs. In 2012 the company was able to sell 330,000 light commercial vehicles, offering a higher quality and greater efficiency. We are now ready for more business expansion worldwide. Our factory can produce 330 vehicles per day to a high quality standard, he added.
On their trip to Thailand the dealers from the two countries visited the factory to see the production process and test drive the Isuzu MU-X on the road to discover its capabilities and functions.
During the trip the VIP customers and media people of both Laos and Cambodia, joined with officials from the Isuzu Lao Service Sole Company Limited and Isuzu Lao VSA Company to visit the Isuzu showroom to watch the Isuzu X-Series drift driving show as well as being entertained with a mini-concert from Isuzu presenters Boy Pakorn, Pord Salan and Kong Saharat.
