June 25, 2015

Please introduce Isuzu D-Max that is for the Cold Chain and Perishable Supply Chain Segment.

Isuzu Motors entered India with the globally-renowned D-MAX range of pick-up trucks. The Indian cold-chain industry is undergoing a huge transformation especially in the areas of retail and distribution. The trend is more visible in the light commercial vehicle segment and particularly in the pick-up truck category which helps in the last mile delivery of goods. This is owing to additional advantages that Pick-ups provide both in terms of Load carrying capacity and better turnaround helping customers expand their business and being able to cover more territory with increasing effectiveness. The other key factor for this shift is because there is a growing need for reliable, high performance and fuel-efficient pick-up trucks that have better GVW.

Currently, the pick-up Cab-Chassis market size is growing. Since the Cab Chassis offers the flexibility to the customer to build different types of bodies for different applications, this variant has substantial potential. Varied types of uses of a Pick-up truck such as Refrigerated Vans and few other applications cannot be built on the existing Flat Deck offered by manufacturers. As India focusses more and more on efficient logistics chains, the use of refrigerated pick-up trucks will help in reducing wastages and increase effective deliveries of processed foods. Refrigerated Pick-up trucks are on the increase and are being increasingly sought, for efficient delivery of Processed Meat, Ice Cream/Milk Products, Medicines, etc. We are witnessing an increase in number of customers looking for Cab-Chassis variant that offer them the flexibility to build their own load bodies suiting their varying business requirements. Isuzu Motors India has taken cognizance of this trend and is therefore offering the Cab Chassis variant. This is an important development and an extension of our product offering in the pick-up segment, enabling customers to ‘Go More, Do More and Get More’. Isuzu D-MAX range of pick-ups have been well-received in the market as it scores an advantage across all the key parameters in the segment.

What are the latest innovations making headway globally in the Reefer segment and how is Isuzu Motors India gearing up towards these?

Isuzu Motors India is one of the leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles and is a leader in pick-up trucks in Thailand. The Isuzu trucks have the largest market share in reefer segment in Japan and we are witnessing a similar trend happening in India in the pick-up segment. The Isuzu D-MAX with its top-of-the-line features such as ‘High Engine Power’ delivering 134 HP, helps in maintaining the temperature inside the reefer body thereby reducing product loss or damage. The fuel-efficiency of the Isuzu D-MAX is one of the best in the category hitherto available in India. This means, the product is capable of making more trips contributing to higher savings. Durability of the Isuzu D-MAX is proven, resulting into low maintenance cost. Ergonomically designed cabin helps in safety and higher productivity. Isuzu D-MAX will offer greater value to all customers in the segment by addressing these practical requirements.    

Your Growth Plans for the company especially in Perishable Supply Chain Sector?

The Isuzu D-MAX has been gaining solid traction in the cold chain segment. We have bagged orders from leading and well-established players in the country such as Gati Kausar, Snowman Logistics, Sneha Poultry and Milky Mist. Isuzu D-MAX aptly fits the requirements of the sector. Isuzu will continuously expand its reach to the cold-chain customers to offer them best-in-class product suiting their business requirements.

Any other significant feature of Isuzu products for commercial use in industries like Dairy, Agriculture, Perishables, Food & Catering?

As India focusses more and more on efficient logistics chains, the use of refrigerated pick-up trucks will help in reducing wastages and increase effective deliveries of processed foods. Refrigerated Pick-up trucks are on the increase and are being increasingly sought, for efficient delivery of Processed Meat, Ice Cream/Milk Products, Medicines, etc. We are witnessing an increase in number of customers looking for Cab-Chassis variant that offer them the flexibility to build their own load bodies suiting their varying business requirements.

How do you evaluate the market potential of your products in the Cold Chain Industry in the future? What strength and cutting edge strategy advantage you have over others?

Isuzu Motors India is one of the leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles and is a leader in pick-up trucks in Thailand. The Isuzu trucks have the largest market share in reefer segment in Japan and we are witnessing a similar trend happening in India in the pick-up segment. The Isuzu D-MAX with its top-of-the-line features such as ‘High Engine Power’ delivering 134 HP, helps in maintaining the temperature inside the reefer body thereby reducing product loss or damage.