THE VENERABLE Crosswind promises to remain steadfast no matter what the road conditions may be. Photo by Charles E. Buban
Why every time we take the Isuzu Crosswind AUV for a long distance drive, a storm develops and crosses our path doesn’t surprise us anymore. It must be made to order.
Another Crosswind test drive. Another stormy trip.
We found ourselves in the middle of Typhoon “Juaning” last week as we headed to Pili, Camarines Sur, to celebrate Isuzu Philippines Corp.’s 14th anniversary as well as mark the successful decade-long career of the Crosswind in the Philippines.
We didn’t mind driving through torrential downpour with near zero visibility. We even expected the suspension-bashing potholes as well as the slippery zigzag road that mark this 360-kilometer, seven-hour journey.
We were more worried of being cut off from our destination by a flash flood or landslide and be stranded in some place we weren’t supposed to be—there wasn’t a moment when we doubted our ride or complained about its accommodation.
Meaningful
The Crosswind hasn’t changed very much, design-wise. It is even powered by the same 2.5-liter direct-injection turbodiesel engine introduced a decade ago.
So what makes the market so faithful to the Crosswind that after 10 years, it remained IPC’s best-selling model (50 percent of IPC’s monthly sales of 800 to 900 units are courtesy of the Crosswind)?
“The Crosswind has withstood the test of time. The enduring design, the drivetrain and Flex Ride suspension (introduced in 2005) of the AUV is a reflection on the ingenuity of Isuzu and IPC. But of course, the testimony of more than 60,000 owners of the Crosswind continues to fuel market interest,” said IPC president Ryoji Yamazaki.
He added that despite the numerous new models that their competitors have launched throughout the years, the Crosswind has remained on top of every buyer’s short list.
Lower cost of ownership
Photo by Charles E. Buban
“These are the buyers who seek fuel-efficient and comfortable riding vehicle. Powered by a hard-wearing diesel engine, they are sure of a much lower cost of ownership,” assured IPC EVP Takashi Tomita.
IPC SVP Art Balmadrid explained that more than any other attributes, those who frequently do long drives would rather prefer a vehicle that would make fewer stops at the filling station, able to provide the most comfortable seats as well as one that would keep them entertained while on the road.
To prove his point, Balmadrid informed that during the 2010 Isuzu Challenge, the Crosswind attained a fuel-efficiency rating of 21.64 kilometers per liter of diesel while in the 2008 Department of Energy Fuel Economy Run, it got an 18.03-kilometer-per-liter efficiency.
Updated Crosswind
To keep market interest, IPC is again updating the Crosswind with new headlight design (clear lenses and black outline), new black-finish radiator grille base, new black center console; a clear-lens turn signals for the XTi variant, and better audio head units (JVC KD-R516 for the XTi, Sony CDX GT 300S for the XT, and JVC KD-G206 for the XL).
IPC Sales Division head Joseph Bautista informed that for the XUV and Sportivo variants now feature new one-piece sports bumper at the rear (complete with built-in reflectors), new-design rear-quarter molding, new oval-shaped tailpipe finisher, black-finish sidestep board, clear-lens turn signals, new black upper and front console, new black rear console box, and beige-and-black color design in both seats in front.
“We also introduced new colors like the Rich Red for the XTi and Sportivo models, Cyanine Green for the XTi and XUVs, Midnight Blue for the XT and Sportivo, Moroccan Gold for the XTi and SUV, Glacial White for the XT, XL and XUV, Titanium Silver for the XT and XL, and Ebony Black for the Sportivo.
Touring PH
THE WORLD-CLASS watersports complex in Camarines Sur becomes the Crosswind’s chosen anniversary destination this year. Photo by Charles E. Buban
Like all Isuzu activities for the motoring media, IPC organizers made sure the participants would be able to enjoy the place’s most interesting destinations. In last week’s case, it would have been the turn of Camarines Sur’s Camsur Watersports Complex.
But with the typhoon’s strong, gusty winds and incessant power outages, team competitions were canceled.
Mind games kept the group busy at the CWC Clubhouse like the Bicolandia trivia of Bong Barrameda. We also got to know more of Reebok Philippines’ footwear technology and IPC’s ongoing anniversary promo from PC PR and Ad-Promotions Section head Timmy de Leon.
The promo, extended until this month, is actually a three-pronged offer. Dubbed “Isang Pasasalamat Mula Sa Isuzu,” the first treat offers outright reward to buyers—discounts of up to P65,000 for the Alterra, P30,000 for the D-Max and P35,000 for the Crosswind.
Loyalty reward
Another is the loyalty reward program that offers long-time Isuzu customers a P10,000 cash reward for either purchasing a new Isuzu vehicle or referring a buyer.
The third promo, called the Crosswind Sportivo Choose Your Own Treat, will give buyers a chance to win either a P100,000 vacation package or a P100,000 entertainment package. Consolation prizes including SM gift certificates worth as much as P30,000 will also be given away.
IPC’s Ronald Baladad added that it would be best to visit any of Isuzu showroom today: “Who knows, you might win any of our 14th anniversary treats and still enjoy the long-lasting rewards of owning an Alterra SUV, a D-Max pickup or our bestseller, the Crosswind multipurpose vehicle.”