Isuzu banks on new markets

"Sales in Western Europe could fall, but we're penetrating more into Eastern Europe," said Tri Petch Isuzu president Morikazu Chokki. "We're also selling well in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates."

Chokki admitted sales within Thailand could drop, due to domestic problems, but insisted exports should still do well. He declined to give an outlook for next year, but during a press trip to Brussels, he was called back to Japan for an emergency meeting. Much like the outlook, the topic for the meeting was not disclosed. However, it was called at a time when automakers were painting a gloomy pic¬ture for sales next year. Rumours of acquisi¬tions are rising, including reports of an inte¬gration of General Motors and Chrysler.

Olivier Heymans, president of Isuzu Benelux - the dealer for Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg - said vehicle sales in Europe this year could fall 10 per cent, because consumers were in shock. Unlike their Asian counterparts, Europeans have not expe¬rienced this kind of financial crisis in recent memory, and they are reacting by holding back on spending, he said.