February 2021 Isuzu UTE Australia has marked 2021 as a milestone year, celebrating the delivery of its 200,000th vehicle sold in Australia, since commencing operations back in November 2008.
“Milestones such as this would not have been possible without the loyalty of our Australian customers who have placed their trust in our vehicles and I’d like to thank each and every one of them,” said Isuzu UTE Australia Managing Director, Hiroyasu Sato.
“Whether it’s a skilled tradesman in a D-MAX Cab Chassis, a family with young children in an MU-X, or a couple looking to explore our great outdoors, there is an Isuzu vehicle to suit everyone and we appreciate that we are the vehicle of choice for these 200,000 Australians,” he said.
As reported by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), by the end of February 2021 an accumulative total of 148,077 D-MAX utes and 52,038 MU-X SUVs have been delivered in Australia.
Sporting a product range of just two vehicles—the new-generation D-MAX ute and the family-focused 7-seat MU-X SUV, IUA’s award-winning range, champion for favour amongst Australia’s two most-competitive vehicle sales categories; utes and SUVs—with close to 50 manufacturers all competing within these two segments alone.
Over the years, demand for both utes and SUVs have grown exponentially, with a ute claiming top-honours in the annual FCAI sales charts since 2015. Out of the 916,968 new vehicles sold in 2020, one in every two vehicles sold was an SUV (49.59%), whereas utes accounted for 19.56% of the new car market—signifying the relevance of the D-MAX ute and MU-X SUV within their respective segments.
IUA was, and still is no exception to this rampant ute and SUV sales growth; after selling their 100,000th vehicle by March 2017—nine years after starting sales in 2008—IUA went onto doubling that effort to 200,000 vehicles sold, less than five years later in February 2021.
In September 2020, IUA launched the third-generation D-MAX ute, which has since then climbed the sales charts into 3rd position in the ‘1-Tonne Ute’ segment, delivering 11,141 D-MAX utes over the past six-months (September 2020 – February 2021).
Over the same period, the MU-X has seen similar levels of sales success; earning itself 3rd position within the ‘SUV Large <$70K’ segment. More importantly against its direct-rivals in the ‘ute-based SUV’ segment, the MU-X has cemented its position as the top-selling ute-based SUV for the sixth-consecutive year (2014-2020) since its Australian-debut in 2013, a milestone only made sweeter with the marque’s 50,000th MU-X delivered back in November 2020.
With 54 automotive brands biding for sales in Australia, IUA finished 2020 as the 13th ranked manufacturer, with 22,111 vehicles delivered. So far in 2021, IUA has managed to continue that momentum from last year, so far selling 4,874 vehicles across January and February alone—enough to earn the marque 12th position in the annual sales race.
For decades, Australian’s have long been attracted to both utes and SUVs as their vehicle of choice—due to their unrivalled practicality, versatility and as a dual-purpose solution for modern families with busy lifestyles. And, with demand at an all-time high and IUA close to delivering its 150,000th D-MAX ute in the near future, another milestone celebration for IUA looks to be just around the corner.
For more information on the range of Isuzu D-MAX utes click here, and for our MU-X SUVs click here.
THE ROAD TO 200,000 SALES
2008 – 273 annual sales.
THE ISUZU D-MAX IS LAUNCHED IN AUSTRALIA
IUA launches locally with the internationally branded D-MAX, taking on the ultra-competitive 1-tonne ute market with a powerful and efficient 3.0L common-rail turbo diesel engine. IUA opens with 39 dealerships in its first year.
2009 – 3,566 annual sales, 3,839 cumulative sales.
D-MAX CONQUERS DAKAR
The IUA-backed Isuzu D-MAX of Sydney’s Bruce Garland finishes the 2009 Dakar Rally as the top-placed diesel ute, 11th place outright and first T1/2 Amateur in the 177-starter class.
2010 – 5,114 annual sales, 15,350 cumulative sales.
A STYLISH UPDATE STRENGTHENS THE AUSTRALIAN RANGE
The new-look Isuzu D-MAX is launched to the demanding Australian market, continuing the tradition of Isuzu UTE's tough, stylish and economical vehicle line-up.
2011 – 6,397 annual sales, 15,350 cumulative sales.
LEGENDARY FUEL ECONOMY PROVEN IN TEST
Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki drive 3,452km from Melbourne to Cairns in an Isuzu D-MAX using just 189.67 litres of diesel to average 5.49 litres/100km in IUA’s annual MAX RUN CHALLENGE fuel economy competition. Their refuels, odometer readings and load were verified and security-sealed on-site by RACV, NRMA and RACQ representatives.
2012 – 7,782 annual sales, 23,132 cumulative sales.
A NEW ERA FOR D-MAX
The dawn of a new era for Isuzu D-MAX. Retaining an exclusive 3.0L engine, the totally new D-MAX landed in Australia and brought with it new levels of power, comfort and safety.
2013 – 10,209 annual sales, 33,341 cumulative sales.
FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY CONFIDENCE
IUA introduces a five-year warranty with five years Roadside Assistance for all new vehicles – a testament to the immense confidence in the reliability, strength and durability of our engineering.
THE ISUZU SUV REBORN
Eagerly anticipated for years, Isuzu brings back a serious 7-seat SUV that offers a balanced combination of performance, comfort, style and off-road ability. Sales commenced in Australia in December 2013.
2014 – 16,674 annual sales, 50,015 cumulative sales.
5 STAR ANCAP & 3.5 TONNE TOWING INTRODUCED
IUA records the sale of its 50,000th vehicle since entering the Australian market in late-2008. IUA’s accelerated growth in 2014 was in part helped by the introduction of the MU-X, as well as stronger fleet sales performance which was buoyed by the introduction of an ANCAP 5-Star safety rating and improved 3.5 tonne towing capacity on specific D-MAX models.
GRASSROOTS SPORTS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM LAUNCHED
IUA’s Local Sports Sponsorship Fund is launched, and in the coming years delivers over $1,000,000 of funding into junior community sporting teams and clubs around Australia.
2015 – 20,984 annual sales, 70,999 cumulative sales.
DEALERSHIP NETWORK GROWS TO 100 OUTLETS
The continual expansion of Isuzu UTE’s dealership network reaches 100 dealers nationally. Additions to IUA’s dealership footprint include a combination of high-profile metropolitan and regional locations along with several rural outlets designed to service and support IUA’s growing mining fleet customers.
IUA INTRODUCES THE I-VENTURE CLUB
A new initiative to help their owners to get the most out of their Isuzu vehicle in a safe and structured environment under expert tutelage – The I-VENTURE CLUB quickly becomes a hit with Isuzu owners, offering them the opportunity to join excursions to some of Australia’s most breathtaking — and challenging — off-road destinations.
2016 – 23,377 annual sales, 94,374 cumulative sales.
90,000 SALES IN AUSTRALIA
Following strong EOFY sales in June, IUA reaches a milestone of 90,000 vehicle sales in the Australian market since launch in 2008. MU-X cements its place as the top-selling ute-based SUV.
2017 – 25,804, 120,180 cumulative sales.
100,000 SALES IN AUSTRALIA
March 2017, IUA delivers the 100,000th vehicle in Australia, just nine years since commencing operations.
A CENTURY IN THE MAKING
In Isuzu’s centenary year, and in a world first for Isuzu, the 17MY Isuzu D-MAX & MU-X launches with a Euro5 emission compliant drivetrain developed exclusively for Australia. With the upgraded 3.0L turbo diesel engine producing 430Nm of torque and with new 6-speed automatic & manual transmissions, the new D-MAX & MU-X is designed to impress in the demanding Australian market and ensure continued sales success.
2018 – 27,640 annual sales, 147,820 cumulative sales.
ISUZU UTE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS IN AUSTRALIA
October 2018 marks a major milestone for Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA), celebrating 10 years since commencing operations in Brisbane, Queensland, back in October 2008.
BEST OF THE BEST – CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AWARDS
Winning both ‘Best of the Best’ and ‘2018 Car Manufacturer of the Year’, Isuzu UTE bests the rest to claim top honours at the annual Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Awards.
2019 – 25,311 annual sales, 173,131 cumulative sales.
SERVICE PLUS 6-6-7 INTRODUCED WITH 19MY D-MAX AND MU-X UPDATE
Coinciding with the 19MY range was an improvement to Isuzu UTE’s comprehensive ownership care package program, Service Plus 6-6-7; encompassing a 6 Year Warranty, 6 Years Roadside Assistance and 7 Year Capped Price Servicing program
D-MAX WINS 2019 ECB SUPERUTES CHAMPIONSHIP
In its debut season of competition, the Caltex Delo® Racing Isuzu D-MAX SuperUte chalked up five wins, fifteen podiums and three pole positions to win the 2019 ECB SuperUtes Championship, with Ross Stone Racing’s Tom Alexander driving.
2020 – 22,111 annual sales, 195,242 cumulative sales.
D-MAX PICKS UP ‘BEST WORK UTE AWARD’
Reaffirming its reputation for reliability, the 19MY Isuzu D-MAXhas been awarded with one of the industry's most coveted accolades, winning the ‘Best Work Ute’ category in the Delivery Magazine Best LCV Awards for 2020.
I-VENTURE CLUB TURNS FIVE
Isuzu UTE’s owner-exclusive 4WD training program celebrates its fifth year of operations with over 3,500 owners learning how to ‘Go Their Own Way’ under the watchful tutorage of accredited 4WD trainers.
ALL-NEW D-MAX UNVEILED
The result of 4-million kilometres and 6-years of development testing, the highly-anticipated, third-generation Isuzu D-MAX launched in Australia with unprecedented levels of standardised safety and connectivity equipment. Featuring a new 3-litre 4JJ3-TCX turbo-diesel engine with 140kW and 450Nm, the entire range features a new stiffer body and chassis, new suspension and new payload weight capacities with up to 3.5-tonne towing.
THE SAFEST UTE ON AUSTRALIAN ROADS
Tested to the highest safety standards ever seen on Australian roads, the 21MY D-MAX was the first vehicle in Australia to be tested and to score the maximum 5-star ANCAP safety rating under the new 2020 testing and rating criteria.
50,000 MU-X SOLD IN AUSTRALIA
Seven years since its introduction in 2013, the MU-X has not only grown in popularity to sell over 50,000 examples in Australia but has also gone onto retain its crown as Australia’s #1 selling ute-based SUV for the sixth consecutive year.
2021 – 4,873 sales to date, across January and February, 200,115 cumulative sales as of 28th February 2021.
ALL-NEW D-MAX WINS AWARDS
Only a few months after debut and the All-New D-MAX has won three of the industry’s most-coveted accolades: News Corp Australia’s ‘2020 Ute of the Year Award’, the ‘West Australian Ute of the Year’ and the torturous 4WD 24/7 ‘4WD Ute Comparison’.