FleetWatch Online - 29-New moves from Isuzu

Good looks, versatility, increased GVM on some models and a technology breakaway from previous N-Series models under the SiTEC Power brand - to mention but a few features - are all encompassed in the all-new N-Series range of Isuzu trucks. Combine these offerings with a revitalised, dedicated management approach to trucks in the GMSA stable and all the ingredients are there for success. And is that NHP 150 Carrier pictured above in closed van and dropside guise a 'cutie' or what? Watch out for that 'SiTEC Power' brand. It's going to become well known out there.

There is a new vibe in the Isuzu truck stable born not just as a result of the recent launch of the all new N-Series truck range but more so from the adoption of a more focused and dedicated approach to the business of trucking. While Isuzu has been a major force in the past, our prediction is that the future is going to see this marque elevate itself onto a new platform of dynamic growth writes Patrick O'Leary.

Who remembers Brian Hunter? He was fleet sales manager for cars, bakkies and trucks in Delta Motor Corporation before General Motors got involved in a buy-back which saw Delta's products incorporated under the GMSA umbrella.

So what has this got to do with this story? A lot actually, especially when one zeroes in on that title of 'fleet sales manager for cars, bakkies and trucks'. Wow! How on earth one man can concentrate focussed effort on three different product segments that are so different in every respect - most significantly in customer demands and requirements - is beyond me. FleetWatch has always held the opinion that you cannot mix cars and trucks - let alone adding bakkies into the pot.

When Craig Uren took over the reins, he too held the responsibility for all three sectors and FleetWatch once again stood back in amazement at what we regarded as the propagation of a really foolish decision to labour one man with the management responsibility for all three product segments. Our contention was that if one man could focus only on the truck sector, Isuzu would soar.


Above and right: Cute and small from the outside the NHP 150 Carrier may be but there’s plenty space and impressive features like adjustable steering inside to make drivers happy.	top & bottom : Easy access into all models makes stop/start deliveries a pleasure – as do features such the tilt/telescopic steering wheel and power steering in front of an easy to read instrument cluster. The driver’s office is plush.

Sales of Isuzu trucks have always been good and proof of this is provided by the fact that with over 9 427 unit sales since 1994, Isuzu's N-Series is one of South Africa's most popular distribution trucks. Now imagine this: If such success was being achieved while the fleet sales manager was also worrying about how the cars and bakkies were faring, what then could be achieved if that same person were to focus solely on trucks?

The answer to that question will come out in the next year or so for that is exactly what has happened in GMSA. Craig Uren's business card now has only two words under his name: Truck Manager. "As from October last year, I don't have any other job in GMSA. My concentration now falls fully on trucks and that's where I want to be," is what Uren told me at the launch. At last, a modicum of sensibility has entered the Isuzu stable in South Africa.

Apart from having local guys around him like Anton du Plessis as Isuzu Truck Product Manager, Uren has also been joined by Masatoshi Kobayashi who has been assigned to GMSA from Isuzu in Japan on a permanent basis to capitalize fully on the new focus by GMSA on the Isuzu business in South Africa.

Not only is the timing of all this right in terms of favourable market and economic conditions, but so too in terms of Isuzu's offerings - especially now that the new 6-model line-up of the new N-Series range has been launched. If Isuzu did well with its old N-Series, our prediction is that it is going to soar with these new models.

Just as Uren got a new title as Truck Manager, so too have these trucks got a new title. They're branded SiTEC Power, which stands for Selected Isuzu Technology - a designation which marks the technology breakpoint between the previous models and the all new Isuzu N-Series. So what is on offer here that has got us all excited. Let's take a quick look...


Malcolm Gauld, GMSA’s director sales and marketing (left), and Masatoshi Kobayashi hand over the keys of a new NPR 400 Freighter to Louis van der Walt, fleet manager, Spartan Truck Hire.	Anton du Plessis, Isuzu Truck Product Manager, is ready to rock and roll with new truck body innovations adding further value to the new product range. He’s a happy man.

The new N-Series offers a variety of wheelbases ranging from 2 490mm to 4 175mm which allows many applications of body design ranging in length from an optimum 3,1m all the way up to 5,9m to suit both mass and volume ratios depending on the type of cargo transported. In fact, what grabbed me at the launch was the flexibility of applications of these models

Let's start with the all-new entry level model, the NHP 150 Carrier. Fitted with turbo inter-cooled power at 3,55 ton GVM, this model is well-positioned to compete head-on in the market for vehicles in the 1,5 ton payload class. It's a real 'cutie' which, on first sight, sort of makes you want to slip one into your pocket and take it home with you. So much for my contention that truck purchases are based on business decisions! Let's take the NHR 150 Carrier out of that rule. It's just too cute to attach a cold, hard, analytic decision to it. I'll take one.

And here's something interesting. Two derivatives of the NHR 150 Carrier are available for all approved non-truck retailers and current Isuzu truck retailers as a complete dropsider and van version. This means that GMSA passenger and light commercial retailers can now sell a complete bodied unit that complies to GMSA Quality Standards with all necessary NaTIS information loaded. There is no need for body builder documentation and weigh-bridge certificate as this will be already executed on the system.

Obviously Isuzu has taken note of the botch-ups currently being experienced in the of licensing of trucks - mainly due to a bureaucratic, cumbersome system that is causing licensing delays running into to months. But that's another story.

A third NHR150 Carrier will be available as a chassis/cab derivative for customised, GMSA approved cargo bodies.

The next model up, the NKR 250 Carrier, is substantially improved over the previous model incorporating a revised power-train using the same engine as the much bigger NPR models - a 4,334 litre normally aspirated diesel engine offering a massive 30% increase in torque. There has also been a GVM increase from 5 200kg to 5 500kg, accommodating the heavier, more powerful engine with an increased payload over the previous model.

The Isuzu NPR 300 and NPR 400 are already well-established favourites in SA trucking applications and in addition to a new appearance, both models offer increased GVM's of 6 200kg and 7 500kg, up by 200kg and 500kg over the previous models respectively. These two models become true 3 to 4-tonners with payload increases resulting in substantial added-value in terms of lifetime productivity.

The NQR 500 model, the flagship of the range, is now equipped with an even more powerful, common-rail, turbo inter-cooled, 5,2 litre engine delivering 129kW and 500Nm torque. This makes the NQR 500 the most powerful truck in the medium segment. The introduction of common rail engine technology to the 8,5 ton GVM class is a first for Japanese medium trucks in South Africa and is an example of the technology breakpoint over previous models that 'SiTEC Power' represents.

This side tipping body on a NHP 150 Carrier again shows the versatility of application of the new N-series models.

And here he is, fully focussed on trucks: Craig Uren, Isuzu Truck Manager flanked by his trucking colleagues from Isuzu Japan, Masatoshi Kobayashi (right) and Hiroshi Iizuka.

The gross combination mass of the NQR 500 has been increased from 9 500kg to 10 300kg, allowing for a useful 1 800kg GVM trailer application. To top off its class leadership position, the new NQR 500 also comes with 20 000km service intervals.

This gives a mere taste of what's on offer but you need to take a closer look via the dealers to really appreciate these new models and exactly what SiTEC Power encompasses. It's all impressive stuff.

As a footnote to endorse the changed approach now that the Isuzu people are focussed on trucks instead of dinky toys, the launch was held at the Gosforth Park Wesbank Raceway. Apart from a ride and drive around the track to gets a hands-on feel for the ride performance of the new models, it also included a fun speed trial on the skid pan supervised by Grant McCleery and his merry crew from the Yokahoma Driving Academy.

It was a far cry from the rather static event held some years back at Gold Reef City for the launch of the F-Series. This was more a trucker's launch which tells us these guys got onto the right track at the Gosforth track.