Trucks, buses boost Isuzu sales by 20% at end-Sept.

Rising demand for trucks and buses continued to fuel the growth of Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC), which saw a 20-percent increase in vehicle sales to 19,528 units in the first nine months of the year.

While the company saw increases in the sales of other models, the demand was highest in the three categories of trucks and buses.

In particular, IPC sold 2,570 units of the Category III N-Series models, marking a 17.6 percent increase in the first three quarters this year compared to the same period last year. Sales for the Category IV buses grew 130 percent while the Category IV trucks was also up by 21.9 percent. Category V trucks also recorded a 283.2 percent surge in sales to 4,293 units.

“The buoyancy currently experienced by the domestic economy manifests in strong consumer confidence, which in turn impacts automotive sales in a positive manner. Isuzu’s sustained upward trajectory this year reflects this development, as well as the market’s demand for vehicles that enhance both personal and commercial mobility,” IPC president Hajime Koso said.

“The last quarter of 2016 should see a more robust economy as remittances from abroad arrive. This should spur more spending, and we’re confident that Isuzu vehicles will remain a top-of-mind choice,” Koso added.

IPC’s bestselling models also registered increases during the January to September period.

Sales of the Crosswind rose 15.4 percent to 3,495 units, while that of the Isuzu D-Max saw a 27.3 percent hike to 2,826 units. The mu-X continued to be the company’s flagship model, which saw a 14 percent increase in sales to 8,914 units.