Tokyo, Aug 26, 2008 - Isuzu Motors Limited will start to newly market its pickup trucks in the Russian market.

This time, the pickup trucks to be sold by Isuzu in the Russian market are Isuzu Motors Co., (Thailand) Ltd.(IMCT)-made versions (D-MAX). The pickup trucks will be powered by the 3.0L and 2.5L common-rail direct injection diesel engines that comply with the Euro 4 emission regulation. Its body is crew cab type (4-door and five-seater). The transmissions are available in two types-AT and Manual.

The completed pickup truck models will be imported by OAO Severstal Avto ISUZU (SAI), a joint venture of Isuzu in Russia, directly from Thailand and marketed through the dealer network under the umbrella of SAI. The start of sales is slated for February 2009. The sales are initially projected at 1000 units and will be extended further to 5000-unit level in the third year.

In Russia, the small-/medium-sized pickup truck markets are rapidly expanding. The total demand increased to about 11,300 units in 2007 from about 3,600 units in 2005. The demand is expected to further increase in future.
For your information, the Isuzu pickup trucks (D-MAX) are to be exhibited at the Moscow International Auto Show starting on August 26, 2008.

Tokyo, Aug 25, 2008 - Daihatsu Motor Co.  on Monday launched a new minivehicle in Japan, where competition is heating up to attract consumers with fuel-efficient cars.

The new Move Conte is the first model from Daihatsu’s new plant in Nakatsu, Oita Prefecture, which started operations in December last year.

With the new model, Daihatsu hopes to appeal to a wide range of consumers, President Teruyuki Minoura said, expressing his wish to shoot down Suzuki Motor Corp.’s  Wagon R minivehicle, currently the best-selling model in Japan.

The Move Conte can travel up to 23 kilometers per liter of gasoline. Prices range from 1.03 million yen to 1.67 million yen.

The Japanese automobile market is shrinking, due partly to high gasoline prices, but smaller models remain popular thanks to their fuel-efficiency.

Japanese automakers therefore are emphasizing minivehicles, or cars with engine displacements of up to 660 c.c. After the Move Conte, a number of other new and remodeled minivehicles are set to hit the market in autumn.

Suzuki will launch the fully remodeled Wagon R soon. Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will release a wagon in September, reviving its popular minivehicle name Toppo after a five-year break.

Nissan Motor Co. does not have a minivehicle model it developed itself. But it will join the race in October by putting its own name on the Pajero Mini, supplied by Mitsubishi on an original equipment manufacturer basis.

In October, Honda Motor Co. will roll out a fully remodeled version of its Life minivehicle.