Soon to rise: Isuzu Subic

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PHOTO FROM ISUZU PHILIPPINES CORPORATION

Velocity Motors Sales Corp. Director Jeffrey Hao Lin (left) with President and Director Jason Hao — PHOTO FROM ISUZU PHILIPPINES CORPORATION

Isuzu Philippines President Hajime Koso (left) with VP for Sales Yasuhiko Oyama — PHOTO FROM ISUZU PHILIPPINES CORPORATION

IPC-Velocity Motors partnership to strengthen truck maker’s presence in Central Luzon

By Aries B. Espinosa

NEARLY two years after its July 2019 groundbreaking at the Subic Gateway District at the Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales province, the Isuzu Subic facility comes closer to reality with the May 20 signing of the dealership agreement between Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) and Velocity Motor Sales Corp.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting socioeconomic slowdown, the completion of the P220-million full-scale Isuzu Subic dealership is expected to be realized in the coming months, approximating the original build estimate of two years.

In a virtual ceremony, IPC President Hajime Koso and Velocity Motors Sales Corp. President and Director Jason Hao signed the partnership agreement.

In his remarks, Mr. Koso revealed that IPC had long been eyeing Subic as the location of its key dealership covering the western portion of its Central Luzon market.

“We had been wanting to further establish our presence in the province of Zambales. Subic is primed to become the most competitive international services and logistic center in Southeast Asia, continuously leading to be one of the country’s major economic engines, and receiving numerous investment projects. Despite the pandemic, Subic remains thriving, especially its trading and shipment industries. Isuzu Subic is our response to the growing transportation requirements of Zambales, most especially for trucks, as IPC has begun our expansion to contribute to our customers’ success,” Mr. Koso explained.

Isuzu Subic thus fills the gap in IPC’s Central Luzon market coverage, and fits in strategically within IPC’s other dealerships in the region, such as Cabanatuan, Pampanga, and Tarlac.

Isuzu Subic also effectively becomes IPC’s 47th dealership — a step closer for the country’s leading truck maker in fulfilling its “road to 50 dealerships” drive.

Isuzu Subic’s 3,799-sq.m. spread follows the Isuzu Outlet Standard (IOS), and includes a display showroom, a customer mezzanine and parts warehouse. Although the main area already holds a 1,380-sq.m. service workshop that caters to both commercial and light commercial vehicles, there will also be a dedicated 1,518-sq.m. off-site space with a preparation bay and paint booth for body repairs in an effort to accommodate more vehicles, especially trucks, that require heavy-duty maintenance.

Mr. Hao expressed confidence that the combination of Velocity Motors’ knowledge of the auto business in the region that spans over four decades and the excellence of the Isuzu brand would enable Isuzu Subic to meet sales and service expectations even amidst a current health crisis.

“Being in business for over 40 years, we have been witnesses to the cycles of industry and commerce in the region being in constant evolution, more so now in transition to the ‘new normal.’ But we are in this for the long haul and believe that winners are tested and built through time,” Mr. Hao stressed.

“Isuzu is, without a doubt, the undisputed number-one brand for trucks, and equally successful in the SUV and pickup segments. At Velocity Motors, we choose to invest only in the best and IPC is such in its circle of competence. Headed by Mr. Koso, we are confident that IPC will always choose the best balance of products and systems of operations for its clients, shareholders, and us dealers, ensuring success for years to come,” he added.

Adding weight to the inking of the partnership was IPC being recognized by Isuzu Motors Limited in Japan for earning Triple Stars in the 2020 Aftersales Awards, an achievement shared by only four other distributors in Isuzu’s six worldwide regions. Isuzu Subic’s extended facility and increased capacity has been seen to provide IPC a firmer foothold on world-class after-sales servicing and parts fulfillment.