Next-gen Isuzu D-Max is the best-selling pickup truck in Thailand so far

Updated Nov 17, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

It bested the (read: combined) sales of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and Mitsubishi Strada in that country.   

Thailand is one of the world’s biggest markets for pickup trucks, thanks to lower excise taxes imposed by the government compared to passenger cars, depending on body style and emissions.

The country has become a strong regional hub for automakers to manufacture their respective models both for domestic sales and export. As can be expected, competition in this segment is fierce.

Isuzu D-Max

Isuzu's all-new D-Max pickup comes out on top in the Thai market

And so far, Isuzu is dominating the pack in Thailand. Its 2020 2020 Isuzu D-Max pickup has been on a roll, with 14,868 units delivered in June this year. By comparison, its closest rival, the Toyota Hilux Revo, managed less than half of that at 6,113 units sold. Mitsubishi comes in third at 2,009 Triton (Strada) units rolling off the showrooms, while Ford handed over 1,414 keys to its Ranger model to come in at a fourth place.

Other contenders include the Nissan Navara, Chevrolet Colorado, MG Extender, Mazda BT-50 Pro, and the Tata Xenon. But even with all of their sales tallies combined, Isuzu still comes out on top with 3,152 units to spare. This is the biggest margin Isuzu has had over its closest rival, Toyota since the year started. Toyota scored a brief victory in April after managing to move 321 units more.  

From January 2020, a total of 149,432 new pickups have taken to Thai roads, with 67,625 of those comprising the Isuzu D-Max – an incredible 45.3 percent market share for Isuzu. Toyota’s Hilux Revo comes second at 49,622 units sold for a market share of 33.2 percent, and Mitsubishi follows with sales of 11,598 units for 7.8 percent market share.

>>> Related: See full car lineup of Isuzu in the Philippines

New Toyota Hilux

Expect Toyota to fight back with its refreshed Hilux model

For July 2020 alone, Isuzu has already trumped Toyota with a 55.9 percent share of the pickup segment, compared to the latter’s 23 percent. The last time the Isuzu lorded it over the Thai market was in 2005, when it sold more than 150,000 D-Max units, shattering the previous 100,500-unit sales record posted by the Isuzu Faster ten years prior.

Isuzu’s lead so far is propelled by the D-Max being an all-new model. But expect its rivals to not take things sitting down, as the recently-launched Hilux Revo Rocco is now out in the Thai market. Nissan will be joining the fray with its updated Navara rig, while the D-Max-based Mazda BT-50 is also poised to take a slice of the pie.

>>> Related: Mitsubishi Strada 2021 price Philippines.

More automotive industry updates come your way at Philkotse.com.

Know more about Isuzu D-Max 2024

Isuzu D-Max

The Isuzu D-Max 2023 is a 5-seater pickup truck that is available in several variants with various options for a 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain. Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) is offering this truck at a price that ranges from Php 917,000 to Php 1,9055,000. There are two engine options powering the D-Max. One is a 1.9-liter RZ4E-TC inline-4 turbodiesel engine that makes 148 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, while the other is a 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX inline-4 turbodiesel engine that delivers 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission can be paired to the said engines.

In terms of dimensions, the D-Max spans 5,277 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, and 1,810 mm in height. It boasts a ground clearance rated at 240 mm, as well as a wheelbase of 3,125 mm. Some of the competitors of the Isuzu pickup truck in the Philippines are the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, and Mazda BT-50.

₱ 917,000 - ₱ 1,905,000

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Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Author

Joseph holds a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has been writing professionally since 1999. He has written episodes for CNN Philippines' motoring show Drive, and has worked on corporate projects for MG Philippines and Pilipinas Shell. Aside from being Philkotse.com’s Content Lead, he also writes content for numerous car dealerships in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, among others.

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