We’ve just been invited to a press conference by the Chamber of Automotive Manufactirers of the Philippines, Inc. or CAMPI. They’ll hold the 9th edition of the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) on October 24-27 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Around 17 car brands will participate in the said big event, each showcasing their current models, as well as previewing their future offerings.
One of the major car brands to grace the occasion is Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), a Japanese brand known for their rugged and reliable SUV and trucks. As such, we can expect the brand to showcase their best-selling models; the D-MAX pickup truck and the mu-X SUV. But there’s more in store.
In the presscon, IPC Vice President, Shojiro Sakoda, addressed the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the Philippine automotive market. He highlighted the industry’s steady growth and resilience post-pandemic, while also acknowledging the hurdles posed by limited manufacturing support, high taxation, and regulatory constraints. Among these challenges, Sakoda pointed out the critical need for adequate infrastructure to support the rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.
When questioned about the possibility of introducing hybrid vehicles as a transitional solution for the Philippine market, Sakoda-San acknowledged the strategic advantages of hybrid technology. Sakoda-San was quoted as saying, “Introducing hybrid vehicles is something we are actively exploring, especially as we consider the unique challenges and opportunities in the Philippine market. Hybrids could provide a practical bridge towards full electrification, offering improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions while still using existing infrastructure.”
Sakoda-San hinted at potential surprises for attendees of the 9th PIMS, where Isuzu Philippines will showcase its latest innovations. “We invite the public to visit the 9th PIMS in October to see what Isuzu has to offer when it comes to EVs,” he said. While specifics remain under wraps, we have something brewing in our collective minds that the surprise model could be the Isuzu D-MAX EV Concept in a possible prototype form.
This came to mind following the recollection of an article published by our sister website, Autocar India. The article stated that “The electric pickup will be equipped with a 66.9kWh battery pack that will power dual motors. The motors allow for four-wheel drive capability and make 177hp and 325Nm.”
That’s just about what we could gather so far, and your guess is as good as ours. All will come to light at the 9th CAMPI PIMS this October. In his closing words, Sakoda-San emphasized that any move towards hybrid technology would be carefully planned and aligned with the evolving needs of Filipino consumers, particularly for commercial vehicles like trucks. “We are continuously monitoring market developments and are open to adapting our product lineup to meet the evolving needs of our customers,” he said.
To know more about Isuzu Philippines, visit https://www.isuzuphil.com/
