Isuzu launches new light and medium trucks

The international launch of the N Series and F Series trucks showcased the all-new light and medium-duty truck ranges and, representing significant news for the global commercial vehicle market, including the introduction of the brand’s first factory-produced Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV), the ELF EV.

Launched under Isuzu’s ‘Choose your future’ banner, the new light and medium-duty product range aims to serve distinct distributor markets with a line-up of mixed product technology to address localised market demand, regulation compliance and geographic preferences.

“This is an important moment for Isuzu globally and here in Australia,” said IAL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Takeo Shindo.

“This next generation of product defines the path for the continued success of Isuzu around the world for the foreseeable future.

“The model-life for commercial vehicles is two to three times that of private or passenger vehicles. This release of all-new internal combustion and zero emission trucks is a landmark event, evolving the brand focus of reliability to now also encapsulate creativity and innovation.

“It provides Isuzu truck customers around the world, with a product suite to support their business today, tomorrow and well into the future,” he said.

The next generation of new light and medium-duty Isuzu truck models are scheduled for local release in Australia, in-line with updates to local Australian Design Rules (ADRs) for vehicle safety and emission standards.

The next generation of Isuzu light and medium-duty product offers changes in a number of areas, from an all-new cabin design, through to safety technology upgrades and new powertrain technology across the line-up.

Safety

Evolving from the existing Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) currently applied to new N and F Series products in Australia, Isuzu’s newly launched safety suite now includes multiple drive assist features that have been integrated in a push towards dramatically reducing the risk of an incident on the road.

New exterior and interior design has been deployed across the range with a focus on innovation and functionality.

An all-new interior layout has been designed with the end-user in mind, expressing a sense of familiarity with previous interiors, while evolving and updating driver-centric key features and overall ease of use.

Accommodating drivers and environments around the world, space surrounding the driver’s position has been greatly expanded for driver comfort and fatigue management.

New transmission

A feature of the new product line-up is the development of new transmission options across the range including a nine-speed dual-clutch auto. For customers this will build upon the dependability and fit-for-purpose nature of the current transmission options across Isuzu N and F Series Trucks.

IAL recently launched the latest iterations of the forerunner to the new model, the MY21 N and MY22 F Series models, complete with comprehensive safety features, technology enhancements and a new benchmark in aftermarket support with six-year warranty and roadside assist for all 4x2 light truck models and the same six-year standard warranty with much higher distance and engine hour limits and six-year roadside assist for medium-duty models in standard applications.

“IAL continues to build on the strengths of our success in the local market and we are keenly aware of the product attributes that our customers rely on daily in the course of their businesses,” said Chief Operating Officer and Director, Mr Andrew Harbison.

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“Ensuring that this is encapsulated in every product and service that we develop and bring to market is critical to this record and we are confident that this new product announcement represents the next assured step in our continued journey.

“What’s exciting about the announcement today is that the products revealed represent both the immediate and long-term prospects for our current and future commercial vehicle customers here in Australia,” he continued.

“With the converging lines of increased road freight demand and the requirement for ZEV, we see it as essential that we have a product portfolio that our customers can utilise to meet their immediate and near-term road transport needs and have certainty that their capital equipment providers have solutions for their business operations into the future decades,” Mr Harbison continued.

“The Isuzu Elf EV is the culmination of intense research and development by Isuzu in Japan.

“In its first iteration, this battery electric Isuzu truck is targeted at the built-up environment, fulfilling last-mile distribution duties. It will have an immediate and obvious impact in reducing urban transport emissions and contributing to greater quality of life through reduced noise and safety features protecting both the operator and public.

“What our customers can expect, when this new model is announced for the Australian market, is the same compelling operator and business case they rely on Isuzu to provide.

“We look forward to setting out on this journey with our Australian customers,” Mr Harbison concluded.