All about service

The commercial trucking industry in South Africa looks for two primary ingredients in its vehicle supplier – the best vehicle for the job and solid aftersales support. For Isuzu Truck South Africa, 2010 marked its coming-of-age in the local trucking industry, exemplified by its winning no less than four Focus on Excellence awards – for Vehicle Distributor with the Best Service Support, Vehicle Distributor with the Best Parts Support and the Certificate of Excellence awards for the MCV and HCV categories.

Anton du Plessis, national sales and distribution manager, Isuzu Truck SA, says “a combination of elements has ensured Isuzu Truck SA’s steady rise to prominence as a preferred supplier of trucks to local fleet operators.

“Firstly, our range of vehicle options includes over 30 derivatives, including light trucks from 3,5 ton gross vehicle mass (GVM), to extra-heavy truck tractors with a GVM of 26 tons. These all come with class-leading warranties and technologies that make driving easier, safer and more cost efficient, while meeting the necessary local emissions standards.

“Secondly, our dealer network has grown significantly, as has its skills base. With 35 dealerships nationwide, Isuzu Truck SA is now able to provide the right advice as far as vehicle selection is concerned, swift vehicle servicing and parts supply, and 24/7 roadside support for its customers. Seen in unison, these offerings all work together in a manner that enhances the strategic objectives of our customers.”

It is something of an industry maxim, that “trucking is a people’s industry”, and any truck dealer or truck owner will attest to the fact that a solid working relationship between dealer and buyer is a prerequisite for any successful truck, OEM or transport operator, for that matter.

“Winning four Focus on Excellence awards, each based on our ability to support our customers, is indeed a tribute to Isuzu Truck SA’s commitment to ongoing improvement in its technology offerings and in its people. Innovations like Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) make life easier not only for the driver, but for the truck owner too, saving thousands of rands annually on clutch replacements and fuel bills,” explains Du Plessis.

“Peace of mind is a precious commodity in the road transport industry today and Isuzu Truck SA helps foster cost predictability via the provision of a two-year, unlimited distance warranty on all our derivatives. Our customers can expand their operations in full confidence, knowing their Isuzu fleet is backed by a comprehensive warranty, regardless of distance travelled.

“The ongoing training of Isuzu dealer personnel is also making a huge difference to our standing in the market. We have the right vehicles for the local market and now we have the right people to both sell and service them. Our brand equity is stronger than ever and these Focus on Excellence awards, sponsored by WesBank, speak in no uncertain terms; we’ve got our formula just about right – quality engineering backed by quality personnel, means Isuzu Truck is in it for the long run,” concludes Du Plessis.