1-millionth D-Max pickup To push global sales

"We strongly hope the Thai vehicle's international success will be strengthened," said vice president Panatda Chennavasin.

"The export of the D-Max throughout the world from a Thai manufacturing base is of a different nature from other companies. Aside from hardware - the Thai-made pickup - we export software in the form of marketing know-how developed in Thailand. The future global success will intensify the quality of world-class vehicles manufactured in Thailand and Thailand's outstanding marketing strategies."

In May 2003, Tri Petch celebrated the sale of its 100,000th D-Max. Isuzu started local pickup production in Thailand in 1974. Domestic success encouraged Isuzu Motors to position Thailand, the largest market for Isuzu pickups worldwide, as the base for its global pickup business.

In 2003, D-Max exports began to more than 130 countries, together with its debut in the domestic market. The vehicle established itself as one of the top-selling pickups in Thailand, being named the 2005 Car of the Year in Thailand, Best-Selling Pickup and Best Fuel-Economy Pickup.

Notably, the new record has been achieved in a year in which the domestic auto industry has suffered the most, with an overall drop of 18 per cent in sales volume in the first 10 months of the year.

Panatda said it was a great achievement for Isuzu to sell 1 million D-Max pickups in Thailand in seven years.

"The history reflects Thais' trust and confidence in both the Isuzu D-Max and the unmatched capability of Isuzu dealers nationwide. Customers have also shown their expectations for high-quality products and high standards of customer service. But we must not allow ourselves to be overly proud of this historic achievement, but rather move on and improve product quality and services."

To mark the occasion, Isuzu will take 100 customers to view the cherry blossoms next year in Japan and visit the Isuzu factory: half of them existing customers and the other half those buying the D-Max Super Platinum between now and year-end.

Tomorrow, Tri Petch will stage a grand celebration party at Impact Muang Thong Thani, open to all customers from noon to 9pm. Celebrities who joined the Isuzu Caravan from Bangkok to the Mt Everest base camp are expected to appear.

The caravan was part of the reality television show "The Adventure: Mission to Conquer the World", filmed by Methanee Buranasiri, and will strengthen the D-Max's reputation for toughness under all conditions.