The Isuzu Thread

New 2021 Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck due in UK dealerships

Third-generation truck promises better on-road refinement and off-road ability, overhauled interior and exterior

The new Isuzu D-Max will arrive in UK showrooms in March, featuring extensive styling and mechanical changes over the current decade-old pick-up truck.

The Mk3 D-Max has been on sale in Thailand, where it's built, since October 2019. It was restyled for a "more distinguishable and powerful appearance," according to Isuzu.

A preview image shows that the truck retains its chunky, high-riding silhouette, but there's an entirely new front end housing new LED headlights and a significantly larger grille dominated by a pair of thick chrome bars across its width.

 
Isuzu SA says D-Max bakkie grabbed extra market share in 2020

Isuzu Motors South Africa says the D-Max managed to grab a little extra share of the local bakkie market in 2020, despite a challenging year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Japanese company’s local arm said the D-Max maintained “strong sales throughout the year”, ending on a total of 12 724 units in 2020 (compared with 16 156 units registered in 2019). That sees it place third for the year, behind the Toyota Hilux (31 252) and Ford Ranger (18 846).

Isuzu says its bakkie range “outperformed” the overall light commercial vehicle market, which saw a year-on-year decrease of 24,8 percent in 2020. Isuzu, meanwhile, gained 0,7 percent market share to finish the year on 16,4 percent.

 
Isuzu pouring more R&D into D-Max engines

All the focus going into smaller engine tech.

There is big news from the world’s biggest diesel engine producer.

Isuzu is planning a restructuring of its diesel powerplant range, with interesting consequences for bakkie fans of the brand.

The Japanese company has been the world’s largest supplier of diesel engines, for many years. But the new wave of electrification in passenger vehicles is changing Isuzu’s planning requirements.

Although battery-powered bakkies are only due to come online later this year, Isuzu is clearly recognising the influence they could have on its future market share. To ensure that all the very best Isuzu engineers are deployed to protect and enhance its profitable bakkie business, Isuzu is willing to outsource its large capacity diesel engine business.

 
Taga Daka H is a LWB Isuzu D-Max

A much bigger version of Isuzu's double-cab is made in China.

The joint-venture between Mazda and Isuzu has been well published. Both companies have been very open about the fact that the new D-Max and BT-50 are mechanical twins of each other.

What has not been quite as well publicised, is a very interesting Isuzu project in China. Partnering with Qingling Motors, there is an amazingly redesign version of the current D-Max on offer.

It is called the Taga Daka H and uses the same platform currently on sale in South Africa, that being Isuzu’s second-generation D-Max.

Qingling’s product team has applied a radical redesign of the D-Max’s front. Slimline rectangular headlights replace the standard D-Max clusters and the grille is absolutely enormous, requiring a new model-specific front bumper moulding and curiously oversized fog lights.


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Winter is coming: Isuzu aims to raise awareness about burn victims in South Africa

With winter on the horizon, the risk of fires increases dramatically and along with that the very real possibility of injury or death for poorer communities where open fires and paraffin stoves or candles are an ever-present danger.

Burns are one of the most common household injuries, especially among children. The term ‘burn’ means more than the burning sensation associated with this injury. Burns are characterised by severe skin damage that causes the affected skin cells to die.

Most people can recover from burns, however serious burns require immediate emergency medical care to prevent complications and death. Unfortunately, this kind of emergency medical care as well as the post trauma medical treatment is long and comes at huge financial expense.


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Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 2021 UK review

Should I buy one?

Perhaps it suffices to say that the D-Max, in its first month on sale in the UK, has completely sold out - so place an order now and you’ll take delivery towards the end of the year. And really, why wouldn’t it? All variants undercut their Hilux equivalents on price, and while you might take a slight hit on fit and finish, the important factors - namely ruggedness, durability and usability - are absolutely on a par.

Use it for what it’s meant for and the D-Max represents astoundingly good value and will seriously impress off road. It won’t be so well suited for family life at the weekends, even with all options ticked, but there are fewer rivals to consider these days and a conventional SUV of similar capability (what few there are) would up the list price considerably. All hail the no-frills, affordable workhorse.


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DRIVEN: Isuzu D-Max 3.0 TD Double Cab X-Rider Auto has that old-school charm

All D-Max models come with Isuzu Complete Care, which combines a 5-year/120 000km bumper-to-bumper warranty, with regular, scheduled maintenance and Roadside Assistance for peace of mind, wherever you are.

I’d recommend you take the 3.0-litre X-Rider for a test drive before deciding which bakkie to buy. It’s a fantastic package that comes at the right price for our time, considering the rising cost of pretty much everything around us. I’d get it in Midnight Black (sadly, it’s not available in that colour), and I’d chuck on some spotlights on that roof bar and, for many years to come, I’d be happy with my purchase because of its old-school charm.


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