A WEEK after its successful showcase of the new D-MAX LS-A pickup in Cebu, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) made its way down to the biggest city in the south, Davao.

In a three-day test drive and display event at SM Lanang, people in Davao were able to witness the rollout of the most stylish iteration of one of Isuzu’s iconic diesel workhorses. From Sept. 20 to 22, IPC made SM Lanang Open Grounds the playground for the new D-MAX LS-A for the “Tough Enough for Anything” 4×4 test drive event, specially conducted to showcase the off-road capabilities of the D-MAX.

During the event, IPC created a special “4×4 Tough Test Course” that featured different obstacles that truly put to the test the off-road capabilities of the D-MAX LS-A. The test drive included courses like the lateral descent ditch crossing, cross axle articulation, elephant holes, 45-degree camber sides and the highlight 40-degree hill climb and descent course. These courses, however, appear to be an easy task to the D-MAX, which has proven its tough performance and durability over the years.

With its reliable 4JJ1-TCX 3.0-liter 4-cylinder Blue Power diesel engine with VGS turbo intercooler, the D-MAX produces 177ps and 380Nm of torque capable of traversing any terrain.

Complementing its exceptional off-road performance, the new D-MAX LS-A features a very stylish exterior as it now comes with a new redesigned front bumper and dark gray radiator grille, side view mirror, fender lip, cargo extender, and roof rail that will turn heads on the road.

Apart from the 4×4 Test Drive, IPC also made a special Mindanao launch and display event at the SM Lanang Atrium for clients to check the units more closely after they have gone through the test drive or vice versa.

“The new D-MAX LS-A has a true character of a pickup. Through this test drive activity, we will be able to showcase to the public its exceptional off-road capabilities, strong underchassis, and powerful engine. Bringing this event in Davao is strategic, as we expect to make a comeback in the pickup segment specially in this region,” said IPC President Hajime Koso.

The new D-MAX LS-A comes in Cosmic Black, Sapphire Blue, Titanium Silver, Red Spinel, Splash White, and Silky Pearl White.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN — Nissan has developed a new way to use robots to make car parts out of sheet steel, a breakthrough that could make replacement parts for discontinued models more widely available for customers.

Nissan hopes to commercialize the proprietary technique, known as dual-sided die-less forming. The technique involves two synchronized robots working from opposite sides of a steel sheet, using diamond-coated tools to gradually shape the steel.

Thanks to its flexible production, short lead times and minimal upfront costs, the new technique could make it commercially viable to produce and sell a wide variety of after-service and replacement parts in small volumes for cars that Nissan no longer makes. This was previously not possible due to the high upfront costs and long lead times to develop and make dies for stamped parts.

Until now, dual-sided die-less forming had been considered too difficult to commercialize. This was due to the complexity of programming two robots to operate synchronously while ensuring consistent quality. Existing techniques have primarily relied on single-sided forming, which limits the complexity of shapes that can be created. By placing robots and tools on opposite sides of a steel sheet, they can create more difficult and detailed shapes.

The new technique was made possible thanks to the production engineering expertise at Nissan’s Production Engineering Research and Development Center, along with advancements in materials technology by Nissan’s Research Division. It represents three major breakthroughs:

• The development of advanced programs capable of controlling both robots with a high degree of dimensional accuracy, enabling the formation of detailed convex and concave shapes.

• The application of a mirrored diamond coating to tools, reducing friction while eliminating the need for lubrication. This has numerous benefits, including consistency of surface quality and low-cost, environmentally friendly operation.

• The generation of optimized path-finding logic for robots, drawing on the ample expertise and press-forming simulation techniques ordinarily used by Nissan’s production engineering teams. This enabled Nissan to achieve high-quality results early in the development process.

Nissan plans to continue pursuing advancements in mass production while also dedicating R&D resources to honing its flexible low-volume production techniques.

TOYOTA MOTOR PHILIPPINES Corp. (TMP) was bestowed Gold awards in the recently held Quality Circle Regional Convention (QCRC).The event was organized by the Quality Circle Practitioners Association, Inc. (QCPA), a nonstock, nonprofit organization which promotes the importance of quality management practices and continuous quality improvement.

This year, TMP was represented by two of its best quality circles — The Minions 2 and The Fixer. Under the Non-production category, The Minions 2 shared its best quality practice on improving workplace safety, efficiency and ergonomics. Under the Production category, The Fixer shared about implemented improvements in the process flow and efficiency of installing doors to the car body at the metal finishing line.

Both The Minions 2 and The Fixer were awarded with plaque and medals. TMP has been consistently receiving recognition for its best quality practices since it started joining the QCRC in 2006. In photo are members of The Minions 2 receiving their plaque of recognition from QCPA President Michael Domagas (2^nd from left).