Special Features

Isuzu Philippines Corporation is definitely on a roll. Fresh from a successful second staging of the Truck Fest in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan Valley in less than a year, then the groundbreaking of the satellite dealership of Isuzu Tuguegarao on the same day last July 20, IPC now heads way down south to hold two events. The Truck Fest in Davao City from August 4 to 6, and the thrilling 4x4 Action Playground from August 12 to 14 in Cebu City. Indeed, no stormy weather can stop these IPC shows from getting on the road, and Auto Focus was there to keep tabs on the action.

It was a fine day to see some big rigs last August 4, as executives from Isuzu Philippines Corp and members of the motoring media arrived in the progressive city of Davao to witness the city's first Truck Fest, and the 3rd leg of IPC's Truck Fest series this year.

Upon the group's arrival at the parking grounds of the SM Lanang Premier, that familiar Isuzu arch welcomed everyone to the Truck Fest, enticing the city's motoring public and business owners and entrepreneurs to enter and look at the many possibilities to grow their enterprises with Isuzu's haulers branded as "Trucks for Life"

IPC, through the help of Isuzu Davao and its President and GM Jockson Liu, brought in its formidable, tough, and versatile lineup of trucks suited for every need.

The Isuzu Truck Fest highlighted IPC's heavy-duty brigade, such as the tractor heads of EXR and EXZ, the FSR with the dropside body, the FVM that has been configured as a 10-door aluminum van, and the bestselling N-Series trucks NQR71, NKR71 and NHR in dropside bodies and as riveted aluminum vans.

The Davao City government was on hand to show its appreciation of IPC's choice to hold its Truck Fest. Indeed, Isuzu's trucks and the vibrant, business- minded community of Davao City seem to be made for each other. The City's reliance on Isuzu trucks was no more evident than with the turnover of a sizeable number of

trucks to three of Isuzu Davao's largest home-grown companies, which have relied on Isuzu vehicles as their business partners for years.

From showcasing its big trucks in Davao City, IPC then went to the Queen City of the South eight days later, on August 12, to showcase the 4x4 variants of its powerful pick-up and SUV workhorses the 3-liter D-Max and Mu-X. At the parking grounds of SM City Cebu, mallgoers were treated to the thrilling sight of the D-Max and Mu-X take on the various obstacles laid out at the 4x4 Action Playground.

Playground held in Manila and Iloilo City, this Cebu 4x4 Action Playground was strewn with three daunting challenges: The articulation ramp, the 40-degreetransverse-angle ramp, and the playground centerpiece, the 20-foot Thrill Hill. To say the least, the D-Max and the Mu-X were naturals when tackling these obstacles.

Offroading expert Beeboy Bargas, who set up the Action Playground, briefed the crowd on these challenges, and why these capabilities were significant for the ordinary D-Max and Mu-X owner.

Beeboy: "Our objective there is to show....electronic traction control."; 10:01 to 10:10

"Translates to durability of the product...value for money"

Beeboy: "It's very safe, the car is very stable...tipping over...high-speed maneuvering"

Beeboy: "It's demonstrating...vehicle is controllable"; 12:05 to 12:20 -- "The gear ratios are perfect...average user"

Of course, even IPC and Isuzu Cebu executives and officers didn't want to miss all that thrilling action, as they themselves got on board and entrusted their lives, so to speak, on the ably trained drivers.

And as soon as an excited crowd mustered enough courage, they signed up and experienced for themselves the power of the Isuzu D-Max and Mu-X at play. And that

should help convince them that an Isuzu vehicle is all they would ever need for whatever purpose, be it in the city orin the rugged outdoors.