For the first time in Mumbai, Isuzu Motors made their debut with the D-Max pick-up truck, launched in India for Rs 5.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
D-Max pickup truck will be offered in three variants, a single-cab flat deck version, a space-cab flat deck version, and the lifestyle oriented ‘Arched-deck’ space cab version.
The bare-basic flat deck version doesn’t offer loads of comfort and features. It uses a more basic flat bed at the back for storage. The top-end arched deck trim features chromed grille, body-coloured bumpers and door handles, power windows, central locking, steering rake adjust, air-conditioning and a day-night rear-view mirror, among other features. The ‘arched deck’ means the wheel arches intrude into the cargo area.
As a standard on all variants, two doors and two seats remains affirmed.
The ‘space cab’ variants get additional space behind the seats.
Power to the Isuzu D-Max comes from a 2499cc, 4-cylinder intercooled turbocharged diesel engine, mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. This powerful diesel burner pumps out a beefy 134 hp power @ 3600 rpm and 294 Nm torque @ 1800-3200 rpm range, enabling to carry a payload of 1.2 ton effortlessly.
Interested buyers shall make a note of it – they can only buy D-Max after having the commercial vehicle license.
Apart from all, the automaker had opened its first dealership in Mumbai. It has planned to open more 60 outlets across the nation by 2015-16. At present, the company enjoys presence in four states of India, all of them located in the South side, namely Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Madurai, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati & Cochin.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Takashi Kikuchi, Managing Director, Isuzu Motors India, “In India, the pickup truck segment is one of the largest and fastest growing segments in Commercial Vehicles (CV), accounting to 35% of the total CV market. We estimate India to be the world’s largest 1 Tn pickup truck market by 2023. We are extremely happy to enter Maharashtra. Maharashtra is the biggest pickup truck market in India and an integral part of our growth strategy. With this launch, we look forward to growing our market in West India and gradually across the country. In addition to Mumbai, we will also be opening dealerships in Pune & Nasik this year”
Mr. Shigeru Wakabayashi, Deputy Managing Director, Isuzu Motors India, added, “D-MAX is one of the world’s favorite pickup truck brands. Inheriting Isuzu’s diesel engine technology, the D-MAX provides excellent power, torque and operating economy, besides delivering high standards of Durability and Reliability. We are hopeful that D-Max pick-up will be able to establish a strong foothold as it has in other parts of the world and revolutionize the Indian pick-up segment.”
Prices for Isuzu D-Max ex-showroom Mumbai:
Flat deck single cab – Rs 5.99 lakh
Flat deck Space cab – Rs 6.19 lakh
Arched deck space cab – Rs 7.09 lakh
