Isuzu expects its UAE truck sales to rise 30% this year

Abu Dhabi: Japan's Isuzu Motors expects a 30 per cent year-on-year increase in its UAE sales of commercial trucks and pickup vehicles in 2008, a senior executive of its sole distributor in the country said.

Ossama Akkache, assistant general manager for Genavco, the UAE distributor of Izuzu vehicles, said in 2007 they sold 4,500 commercial trucks and pickups.

In this category, Isuzu is currently among the top motor companies by sales in the UAE and competes with Mitsubishi, Humo, Toyota, Nissan Diesel, Mazda and Daihatsu.

"We sell one-tonne pickups and commercial vehicles of two tonnes to 45 tonnes. Our vehicles sell in a price range of Dh50,000 to Dh300,000," said Akkache, adding that Isuzu's pickups are manufactured in Thailand, while its commercial trucks are made in Japan.

"Of the Isuzu vehicles we import in the UAE, about three per cent are meant for the re-export market," said Akkache.

He said Isuzu plans to open a warehouse in Jebel Ali in the near future to distribute parts to dealers in the Middle East and African countries.

Genavco officially launched Isuzu showrooms in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on Wednesday. The showrooms will display Izuzu's range of world-renowned light, medium and heavy duty trucks.

"The UAE is one of the most important markets for Isuzu in the Middle East.

"The country's phenomenal growth in recent years has positively affected the road transport sector, including the demand for medium and heavy duty trucks, and these new showrooms will go a long way in effectively catering to customers in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain," Shintaro Mochizuki, president of Isuzu's Thailand operations, said.