A new chapter begins for Isuzu PHL

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The country’s number-one truck brand turns 25 with a new president

ISUZU PHILIPPINES CORP. (IPC) — the exclusive assembler, importer, and distributor of brand-new Isuzu commercial vehicles and light commercial vehicles in the Philippines — last week announced the official turnover of their company’s presidency from the leadership of their much-loved Hajime Koso (who has served in the Philippines for seven years), to incoming Noboru Murakami.

Mr. Murakami was formerly the general manager for International Sales of Isuzu Motors Limited (IML) in Japan. He first joined IML with the responsibility of handling Isuzu’s international sales way back in 1995, and was later assigned to Corporate Planning. In 2014, he was appointed vice-president of Isuzu North America Corp. (INAC), and then by 2016 he was promoted to executive vice-president of the same company. Eventually, Mr. Murakami rose to become INAC’s president and CEO from 2018 to 2020. Soon after, he returned to his home country of Japan to become IML’s general manager for International Sales.

He officially became IPC’s president last May 17. Interestingly, 2022 also marks the company’s 25^th year in the Philippines.

“I’ve always been intrigued by the market dynamics of the ASEAN region. The Philippines has become one of the most (promising) emerging markets when it comes to automotive… seen in the numerous models being introduced year after year. So it really makes me excited to start working in this country,” exclaimed an enthusiastic Mr. Murakami during the formal turnover ceremony held at Okada Manila last May 16.

Of course, one of Mr. Murakami’s foremost goals is to maintain IPC’s long-standing position as the number-one truck brand in the Philippines. If you will recall, based on the combined report submitted by the Truck Manufacturers Association, Inc. (TMA) and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI), Isuzu still remains the leading truck company in the country based on sales — an honor it has held for the last 22 years.

Mr. Murakami further explained that he also intends to strive to achieve the ultimate “customer success” by improving on local business aspects that will better serve customers’ changing needs and requirements — say, for example, in the fields of sales and after-sales.

Another important point Mr. Murakami brought up is IPC’s intention to pursue a more sustainable path, starting this 2022. As a matter of fact, even months earlier this year, Mr. Koso already declared that the Japanese truck brand had decided to shift its direction toward sustainability.

“(Year) 2022 will be the start of a new era for Isuzu, as more sustainable and eco-friendlier plans will be introduced, in line with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. This includes its products, operations and customer service. IPC will evolve into a company that creates economic value combined with social and environmental contributions to withstand the challenges ahead,” Mr. Koso explained.

Supporting this push for a greener IPC, Mr. Murakami pointed out, “This movement should not only be reflected in our products, but also from within — meaning changes in our values, operations, and the way we do business moving forward.”

Furthermore, Murakami shared with “Velocity” that aside from vowing to continue providing IPC’s customers with the best business solutions available, the company can now vouch that their latest products will not just be durable and fuel-efficient, but also environment-friendly.

“And with the Philippines slowly reopening its economy,” he continued, “we wish to support our goal of customer success by focusing on strengthening our nationwide parts distribution, alongside expanding our dealer network to 50 outlets within the year.”

What an exciting time to witness IPC build its greener “Isuzu Kingdom!”