By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) has added three more dealerships before end this year located in La Union and two in Mindanao to ensure the all-truck assembler on track with its goal to achieve a total of 50 outlets by next year.
IPC President Hajime Koso said at the ground-breaking ceremony the new dealerships bring a total of 45 outlets for the Japanese truckmaker. IPC plans to add 5 more dealerships next year to hit its target of 50 official dealerships by 2020.
“We at Isuzu always look for ways to connect and reach out to our customers. Today marks the construction of our new dealership as we aspire to serve our customers here in La Union. Isuzu La Union will be a place of finest Isuzu vehicles, genuine Isuzu parts, and exceptional services,” Koso said.
The La Union dealership is in partnership with One Maharlika Motor Sales and Services Corporation, which is led by company chairman and president Benigno Garcia.
IPC led the ceremonial installation of the time capsule on the 7, 300-sqm lot along the national highway in Barrio Paringao in Bauang, La Union. The facility is expected to be completed mid-2020.
The Isuzu La Union dealership features the new design guidelines for Isuzu dealerships, which has a cleaner and more streamlined interior and façade.
Garcia announced that Isuzu La Union will offer the full roster of brand-new Isuzu LCVs and CVs. “By the time we open in mid-2020, we will offer Isuzu LCVs such as mu-X and the D-MAX, as well as our trucks like N-Series, F-Series, C&E-Series, and of course, the newly introduced Traviz, which is ideal for small and medium enterprises."
For the new Mindanao dealerships, IPC signed two new agreements bolstering its presence in the country’s largest island, which hosts some of the fastest growing regions in the country. The new dealerships are located in Tagum and Pagadian.
For the Isuzu Tagum dealership, the agreement was signed between IPC President Hajime Koso, Executive Vice President Shojiro Sakoda and President Walter Alvarez and Managing Director Edward Bangayan representing Image Motors Davao Del Norte, Inc.
The second Mindanao dealership deal was by the same IPC officials and George Ongchua, General Manager of Northern Mindanao Automotive Dealership, Inc. The signing ceremonies were held at the Isuzu Philippines head office in Biñan, Laguna.
Isuzu Tagum is strategically located at the northern portion of Southern Mindanao and lies in the intersection of three major road network system namely the "Philippines-Japan Friendship Highway," the "Davao-Mati-Agusan Road," and the "Davao-Bukidnon Road" that connects the city to other major destinations in the region and for the rest of Mindanao.
On the other hand, Isuzu Pagadian is positioned at the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula and the second-largest city in the region, bridging its nearby provinces to serve and provide quality Isuzu products, excellent after-sales service, and to become the most competitive transportation hub in the region.