• Coinciding with the brand's 15th anniversary, Isuzu UTE Australia has delivered its 300,000th new vehicle in Australia.
• 302,801 Isuzu utes and SUVs on Australian roads: 218,620 D-MAX and 84,181 MU-X sold and delivered between October 2008 and October 2023.
• Isuzu delegates from around the world gather to celebrate 15 years of IUA.
• On the road to a top-10 finish: currently charting as the 10th best-selling automotive brand in Australia, despite only having two nameplates on sale.

November 2023 – Reflective of its current position as one of Australia's top-10 automotive brands, Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) has achieved two landmark milestones; with the two-nameplate brand announcing that it sold and delivered its 300,000th vehicle in October 2023, an accomplishment that comes as the marque celebrates their 15-year anniversary in Australia.

IUA began its Australian journey in 2008 with the debut of the D-MAX ute, with the MU-X SUV following the same path just five years later in 2013. Over the years, both nameplates have become a staple of everyday Australian motoring; not only earning their keep in the driveways of thousands of Australian homes but earning a stack of accolades awarded by the Australian motoring media due to their earnt reputation for dependability, fit-for-purpose, and value for money.

"It is quite fortuitous that we welcomed our 300,000th vehicle to an Australian home while celebrating our 15-year anniversary at the same time," remarked Isuzu UTE Australia Managing Director, Junta Matsui.

"Not only would I like to take this opportunity to thank every single customer that has chosen an Isuzu over the last 15 years, but I'd also like to thank not just the 19 dealers that have been with us from the start in 2008, but our whole Dealer Network. We certainly would not be celebrating two landmark achievements today if it weren't for their remarkable commitment, loyalty, and service to the brand and our customers."

"As our brand has grown, so too has our dealer network, which has grown to over 165 sites across the country; an expansive footprint that serves the 300,000 Isuzus on Australian roads."

In celebration of IUA's 15th anniversary, the marque welcomed a group of over 250 guests congregating from interstate and internationally—including dealer and corporate office staff, and delegates from Thailand and Japan—to the JW Marriott, Gold Coast. While the meeting celebrated the past success of the brand and the partners involved in making it the brand that it is today, it also reflected on the current sales trajectory, with ambitions to make 2023 to be a year to remember.

With 2023 shaping up to be a record year for new vehicle sales, both the D-MAX ute and MU-X SUV have sold in record numbers locally; with 24,677 D-MAXs and 11,824 MUXs finding new homes this year alone; an accumulated total of 36,501 vehicles delivered to date, 1,178 more than the brand's final tally of 2022, which was 35,323.

Between October 2008 and the end of October 2023, a total of 218,620 D-MAX utes and 84,181 MU-X SUVs had been sold and delivered in Australia; an accumulative tally of 302,801 vehicles sold, as reported by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

This milestone celebrates the upward growth trajectory the brand has seen since its arrival in Australia. In April 2017, the two-vehicle brand sold its 100,000th vehicle, before doubling that effort to 200,000 vehicles sold; less than five years later, in February 2021.

As reported in the October 2023 FCAI VFACTS report, Australia's two most-popular vehicle types—1-tonne utes and SUVs—continue to lead the annual new vehicle sales charts, with the two segments responsible for three-quarters (78.2 per cent) of all new vehicles sold so far in 2023. Within the respective segments that the D-MAX and MU-X compete in—PU/CC and SUV Large < $70K—combined, both nameplates accounted for one-in-ten of new vehicles sold; with the D-MAX commanding 13.5 per cent market share and MU-X with 11.4 per cent market share.

With thousands of Australian motorists gravitating towards the D-MAX and MU-X as their ute and SUV of choice, it comes as little surprise that Australia's longest-standing automotive publication, Wheels Magazine, would award the two nameplates top-honours in their inaugural 'Best Value 4x4 Ute Awards' and 'Best Value Off-Road Large SUV Awards'. Looking beyond the sticker price and analysing real-world operating costs such as insurance, fuel-bills, servicing, and resale over a three-year period, Wheels determined that the D-MAX and MU-X were the pick of the bunch.

Reflective of IUA's sales results to date and the D-MAX and MU-X winning their respective Wheels Magazine awards, Isuzu UTE Australia Managing Director, Junta Matsui, said "it's great to see that both customers and the Australian motoring media have recognised the D-MAX and MU-X as two of the best value vehicles available on sale today."

"With healthy levels of vehicle stock landing at dealers locally and this year shaping up to be the biggest year ever for our brand, we are optimistic that this positive trajectory will continue towards the end of the year as we aim for over 40,000 vehicle deliveries in 2023," he concluded.

As IUA approaches the end of the year, the two-vehicle marque is currently positioned as Australia's 10th best-selling automotive brand.For more information on the Isuzu D-MAX ute and MU-X SUV range, visit www.isuzuute.com.au  

THE ROAD TO 300,000:

2008 – 273 annual sales.

• THE ISUZU D-MAX DEBUTS IN AUSTRALIA
• IUA launches locally with the internationally branded D-MAX, taking on the ultra-competitive 1-tonne ute market with a powerful and efficient 3.0L common-rail turbo diesel engine. IUA opens with 39 dealerships in its first year.

2009 – 3,566 annual sales, 3,839 cumulative sales.

• D-MAX CONQUERS DAKAR
• The IUA-backed Isuzu D-MAX of Sydney's Bruce Garland finishes the 2009 Dakar Rally as the top-placed diesel ute, 11th place outright and first T1/2 Amateur in the 177-starter class.

2010 – 5,114 annual sales, 8,953 cumulative sales.

• A STYLISH UPDATE STRENGTHENS THE AUSTRALIAN RANGE
• The new-look Isuzu D-MAX is launched to the demanding Australian market, continuing the tradition of Isuzu UTE's tough, stylish and economical vehicle line-up.

2011 – 6,397 annual sales, 15,350 cumulative sales.

• LEGENDARY FUEL ECONOMY PROVEN IN TEST
• Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki drive 3,452km from Melbourne to Cairns in an Isuzu D-MAX using just 189.67 litres of diesel to average 5.49 litres/100km in IUA's annual MAX RUN CHALLENGE fuel economy competition. Their refuels, odometer readings and load were verified and security-sealed on-site by RACV, NRMA and RACQ representatives.

2012 – 7,782 annual sales, 23,132 cumulative sales.

• A NEW ERA FOR D-MAX
• The dawn of a new era for Isuzu D-MAX. Retaining an exclusive 3.0L engine, the totally new D-MAX landed in Australia and brought with it new levels of power, comfort and safety.

2013 – 10,209 annual sales, 33,341 cumulative sales.

• FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY CONFIDENCE
• IUA introduces a five-year warranty with five years Roadside Assistance for all new vehicles – a testament to the immense confidence in the reliability, strength and durability of our engineering.
•  
• INTRODUCING THE ISUZU MU-X SUV
• Eagerly anticipated for years, Isuzu brings back a capable and versatile 7-seat SUV, the Isuzu MU-X. Offering a balanced combination of performance, comfort, style and off-road ability, the MU-X struck a chord with Australian Families. Sales commenced in Australia in December 2013.

2014 – 16,674 annual sales, 50,015 cumulative sales.

• 5 STAR ANCAP & 3.5 TONNE TOWING INTRODUCED
• IUA records the sale of its 50,000th vehicle since entering the Australian market in late-2008. IUA's accelerated growth in 2014 was in part helped by the introduction of the MU-X, as well as stronger fleet sales performance which was buoyed by the introduction of an ANCAP 5-Star safety rating and improved 3.5 tonne towing capacity on specific D-MAX models.

• GRASSROOTS SPORTS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM LAUNCHED
• IUA's Local Sports Sponsorship Fund is launched, and in the coming years delivers over $1,000,000 of funding into junior community sporting teams and clubs around Australia.

2015 – 20,984 annual sales, 70,999 cumulative sales.

• DEALERSHIP NETWORK GROWS TO 100 OUTLETS
• The continual expansion of Isuzu UTE's dealership network reaches 100 dealers nationally. Additions to IUA's dealership footprint include a combination of high-profile metropolitan and regional locations along with several rural outlets designed to service and support IUA's growing mining fleet customers.

• IUA INTRODUCES THE I-VENTURE CLUB
• A new initiative to help their owners to get the most out of their Isuzu vehicle in a safe and structured environment under expert tutelage – The I-VENTURE CLUB quickly becomes a hit with Isuzu owners, offering them the opportunity to join excursions to some of Australia's most breathtaking — and challenging — off-road destinations.

2016 – 23,377 annual sales, 94,376 cumulative sales.

• 90,000 SALES IN AUSTRALIA
• Following strong EOFY sales in June, IUA reaches a milestone of 90,000 vehicle sales in the Australian market since launch in 2008. MU-X cements its place as the top-selling ute-based SUV.

2017 – 25,804 annual sales, 120,180 cumulative sales.

• 100,000 SALES IN AUSTRALIA
• April 2017, IUA delivers the 100,000th vehicle in Australia, just nine years since commencing operations.

• A CENTURY IN THE MAKING
• In Isuzu's centenary year, and in a world first for Isuzu, the 17MY Isuzu D-MAX & MU-X launches with a Euro-5 emission compliant drivetrain developed exclusively for Australia. With the upgraded 3.0L turbo diesel engine producing 430Nm of torque and with new 6-speed automatic & manual transmissions, the new D-MAX & MU-X is designed to impress in the demanding Australian market and ensure continued sales success.

2018 – 27,640 annual sales, 147,820 cumulative sales.

• ISUZU UTE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS IN AUSTRALIA
• October 2018 marks a major milestone for Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA), celebrating 10 years since commencing operations in Brisbane, Queensland, back in October 2008.

• BEST OF THE BEST – CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AWARDS
• Winning both 'Best of the Best' and '2018 Car Manufacturer of the Year', Isuzu UTE bests the rest to claim top honours at the annual Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Awards.

2019 – 25,311 annual sales, 173,131 cumulative sales.

• SERVICE PLUS 6-6-7 INTRODUCED WITH 19MY D-MAX AND MU-X UPDATE
• Coinciding with the 19MY range was an improvement to Isuzu UTE's comprehensive ownership care package program, Service Plus 6-6-7; encompassing a 6 Year Warranty, 6 Years Roadside Assistance and 7 Year Capped Price Servicing program.

• D-MAX WINS 2019 ECB SUPERUTES CHAMPIONSHIP
• In its debut season of competition, the Caltex Delo® Racing Isuzu D-MAX SuperUte chalked up five wins, fifteen podiums, and three pole positions to win the 2019 ECB SuperUtes Championship, with Ross Stone Racing's Tom Alexander driving.

2020 – 22,111 annual sales, 195,242 cumulative sales.

• D-MAX PICKS UP 'BEST WORK UTE AWARD'
• Reaffirming its reputation for reliability, the 19MY Isuzu D-MAX has been awarded with one of the industry's most coveted accolades, winning the 'Best Work Ute' category in the Delivery Magazine Best LCV Awards for 2020.

• I-VENTURE CLUB TURNS FIVE
• Isuzu UTE's owner-exclusive 4WD training program celebrates its fifth year of operations with over 3,500 owners learning how to 'Go Their Own Way' under the watchful tutorage of accredited 4WD trainers.

• NEW-GENERATION D-MAX UNVEILED
• The result of 4-million kilometres and 6-years of development testing, the highly-anticipated, third-generation Isuzu D-MAX launched in Australia with unprecedented levels of standardised safety and connectivity equipment. Featuring a new 3-litre 4JJ3-TCX turbo-diesel engine with 140kW and 450Nm, the entire range features a new stiffer body and chassis, new suspension and new payload weight capacities with up to 3.5-tonne towing.

• THE SAFEST UTE ON AUSTRALIAN ROADS
• Tested to the highest safety standards ever seen on Australian roads, the 21MY D-MAX was the first vehicle in Australia to be tested and to score the maximum 5-star ANCAP safety rating under the new 2020 testing and rating criteria.

• SERVICE PLUS IMPROVED TO 6-7-7
• With the introduction of the 21MY D-MAX comes an update to Isuzu UTE's comprehensive ownership care package program, Service Plus 6-7-7; encompassing a 6 Year Warranty, 7 Years Roadside Assistance, and 7 Year Capped Price Servicing program.

• 50,000 MU-X SOLD IN AUSTRALIA
• Seven years since its introduction in 2013, the MU-X has not only grown in popularity to sell over 50,000 examples in Australia but has also gone onto retain its crown as Australia's #1 selling ute-based SUV for the sixth consecutive year.

2021 – 35,735 annual sales, 230,977 cumulative sales.

• NEW-GENERATION D-MAX WINS AWARDS
• Only a few months after debut and the new-generation D-MAX has won three of the industry's most-coveted accolades: News Corp Australia's '2020 Ute of the Year Award', the 'West Australian Ute of the Year' and the torturous 4WD 24/7 '4WD Ute Comparison'.

• ISUZU UTE LEADS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
• One of Australia's leading customer satisfaction surveys, Roy Morgan, crowns Isuzu UTE as the 2020 Car Manufacturer of the Year Award, and the top-Australian brand for customer satisfaction overall, with the 'Best of the Best' award too. This is the second time Isuzu UTE has won both awards.

• NEW-GENERATION MU-X LAUNCHED
• Moving the ute-based SUV segment forward with an unmatched-suite of driver safety and connectivity technology, 3.5-tonne braked towing and the 4JJ3-TCX 3-litre turbo-diesel engine, the highly-anticipated 2nd generation MU-X launched locally in August 2021.

• IUA PARTNERS WITH SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA
• Flying the iconic red and yellow flag across Australian beaches, IUA commences a three-year partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, providing a fleet of D-MAX and MU-X surf rescue and patrol vehicles to support the 100 year old Aussie institution.

• 5-STAR ANCAP SAFETY FOR MU-X
• Standardising the latest in advanced safety and assist systems with a new stronger body and chassis design, the new-generation Isuzu MU-X range was awarded the maximum 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested against the latest ANCAP testing and rating criteria.

• IUA PARTNERS WITH THE A-LEAGUES
• Kicking off a three-year partnership as the first-ever naming rights partner of the A-Leagues' men's competition, the 'Isuzu UTE A-League Men', IUA announces its partnership with the A-Leagues as the Official Automotive Partner of the A-Leagues' Men, Women, Youth and E-Sport Leagues.

2022 – 35,323 annual sales, 266,300 cumulative sales.

• AND THE AWARDS GO TO…
• The D-MAX is a back-to-back winner at the annual Drive Car of the Year Awards—coming out on top as the 'Drive Car of the Year—Best Dual-Cab Ute' for the second consecutive year. While OzRoamer Magazine awards the D-MAX its '2022 4WD Dual Cab Ute under $65,000 Award' and the MU-X the 'OzRoamer 2022 4WD $45,000 – $65,000 COTY Award' at the annual OzRoamer 4WD and SUV Car of the Year Awards.

• ISUZU UTE DRIVING LITERACY OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
• IUA partners with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, supporting the not-for-profit with an Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 Ute that is used in their operations to deliver community engagement and support with programs for early literacy in remote regions across Australia.

• ISUZU UTE TOPS ANNUAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AWARDS
• For the second year in a row, Isuzu UTE wins the 'Car Manufacturer of the Year' title at the 2021 Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Awards. Then backs it up, by winning the 2021 Canstar Blue Customer Satisfaction Award for New Cars, at the annual Canstar Blue Customer Satisfaction Awards.

• ISUZU D-MAX CROWNED 'UTE OF THE YEAR' BY PRODUCTREVIEW.COM.AU
• The Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 LS-U+ has reigned supreme at the inaugural ProductReview.com.au Car of the Year Awards – winning the 'Best Ute' category to take the crown as the 2022 'Ute of the Year'.

• AUSSIE ISUZU AUTO SERVICE TECH TAKES TOP PLACE IN WORLD COMPETITION
• Isuzu Motors Limited (Japan) has crowned Australian service technician Peter Carter as the 'Best Individual Isuzu Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) Technician in the World' following the conclusion of the 17th Isuzu World Technical Competition.

• MU-X CROWNED THE BEST-SELLING UTE-BASED SUV FOR THE NINTH YEAR IN A ROW
• The MU-X is once again the top-selling 'Ute-based SUV'—marking the 9th consecutive year the MU-X has cemented its position atop of the 'Ute-based SUV' sales chart, since its debut in December 2013.

• ISUZU UTE RANKS AS TOP-10 BRAND IN AUSTRALIA
• For the first time, Isuzu UTE Australia finishes annual new vehicle sales charts in the top-10, as Australia's 9th best-selling vehicle brand out of over 50 on sale, with 35,323 sold and delivered. The D-MAX charted as the 7th best-selling vehicle overall in 2022; 4th in the '1-tonne Ute LCV' segment with 24,336 vehicles delivered. MU-X was 3rd in the hotly-contested 'SUV Large < $70K' segment, with 10,987 sold and delivered.

2023 – 36,501 annual sales to date (Jan to October), 302,801 cumulative sales.

• ISUZU UTE & THE ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE ANNOUNCE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP
• Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) have teamed up for a long-term major national partnership to assist with delivering better health outcomes to Australians living beyond the reach of mainstream medical services.

• DANIEL MORCOMBE FOUNDATION COMMEMORATES DECADE-LONG PARTNERSHIP WITH AWARD
• In recognition of the past 10 years of partnership with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, Isuzu UTE Australia was awarded the charity's highest accolade, the '2023 Morky Award' at the annual Dance for Daniel fundraising event, held on the 18th of March 2023.

• THE IRON SUMMIT RETURNS
• A hallmark experience of tradeshows and 4x4 events, the Iron Summit has returned, giving showgoers the unparalleled experience of climbing the world's steepest mobile 4x4 ramp at 45-degrees and  six metres into the air.

• ISUZU UTE APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR
• Mr. Junta Matsui joins the head of the senior leadership team at IUA, bringing with him decades of experience leading various global Isuzu and Mitsubishi Corporation divisions abroad.

• THE ISUZU D-MAX IS AUSTRALIA'S BEST VALUE 4X4 UTE
• The Isuzu D-MAX has been crowned Australia's 'Best Value 4x4 Ute', with the 1.9-litre and 3.0-litre turbo-diesel powered variants of the popular D-MAX SX Crew Cab 4x4 Ute placing 1st and 2nd, respectively, in Wheels' inaugural Best Value 4x4 Ute awards.

• THE BEST VALUE 4x4 SUV IS THE ISUZU MU-X
• A month after the D-MAX was crowned the 'Best Value 4x4 Ute' in Australia, the MU-X has received similar critical acclaim, winning the inaugural Wheels 'Best Value Off-Road Large SUV Award.'

• IUA CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY
• In celebration of IUA's 15th anniversary, the marque welcomed a group of 244 guests to the JW Marriott, Gold Coast, with guests congregating from interstate and internationally, including Dealer Principals, head office staff and delegates from Thailand and Japan.

• 300,000 ISUZU D-MAX UTES AND MU-X SUVS ON AUSTRALIAN ROADS
• Coinciding with IUA's 15th anniversary in November 2023, the two-car brand has sold and delivered its 300,000th vehicle in Australia.

-END-

About Isuzu UTE 
Based in Brisbane, Queensland, Isuzu UTE Australia was founded in 2008, introducing the award-winning Isuzu D-MAX to the Australian market. In 2013, we expanded our product range to include the versatile Isuzu MU-X 7-seat SUV. Despite our relatively recent arrival in Australia, our global network boasts strong foundations.

A subsidiary of Japan's largest trading and investment company, Mitsubishi Corporation, with which Isuzu Motors Limited (Japan) maintains extensive business collaborations. Isuzu Motors, with a rich history dating back to 1916, now stands as one of the world's largest manufacturers of trucks and diesel engines. The company's product portfolio encompasses heavy, medium, and light-duty trucks, buses, passenger vehicles, and industrial-use diesel engines, placing Isuzu Motors at the forefront of vehicle chassis and diesel engine technology.

At Isuzu UTE Australia, we specialise in utes and SUVs; two of the largest segments in Australia. Our award-winning Isuzu D-MAX ute and MU-X 7-seat SUV are available in either 4x4 or 4x2, offering motorists choice and capability to match the terrain and conditions. Both the D-MAX and MU-X are powered by Isuzu's fuel-efficient, 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, generating 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque. Additionally, we've introduced the frugal 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine to our D-MAX line-up, providing more options to our customers.

Our resources and automotive expertise are extensive, reflecting in the exceptional quality of our products and the level of service we provide. With a network of over 160 authorised Isuzu UTE outlets across every state and territory in Australia, we take pride in delivering the highest level of service and support nationwide.