At the media launch of the 4×2 double cab Isuzu D-Max LS-T, the local distributor says it’s aim is to become the third best-selling pick-up in New Zealand.
It’s beaten the Mazda BT-50 each month this year and in the last six months it has twice beaten the Mitsubishi Triton for registration numbers as well.
Isuzu Ute NZ general manager Murray Greenhalgh says the company has aspirations for D-Max to overtake Triton in overall sales, and become number three on the charts.
“Our market share in other countries tells us this achievement is doable,” says Greenhalgh.
“We’ve knocked the Mazda BT-50 off already, and now we want to beat Mitsubishi Triton,” he says.
Year to date Isuzu Ute has 1140 units registered, and it is more than 40% ahead of last year’s figures.
Greenhalgh says the National Fieldays in June saw 100 people walk into the Isuzu Ute stand and sign agreements there and then.
Despite the lower dairy payout forecast, this was an even better result for the Isuzu Ute brand than the 78 units retailed at the event in 2014.
The distributor has ordered 300 units of it’s new high specification 4×2 D-Max LS-T because it believes the success of the Ford Ranger XLT 4×2 model in the market means there is room for a competitor.
It took a year of negotiation with the factory to create the LS-T 4×2, but Greenhalgh is confident it will sell in good numbers, given the current appetite in the market for higher specification Utes.
“Globally we are still the only country to market this variant, it’s not even offered in Australia which is a much bigger market than ours,” says Greenhalgh.
“The LS-T 4×4 double cab automatic is the second largest selling model in our 4×4 range, which initially surprised us,” he says. “But this is certainly where the market is growing.”
