1964: quite some year

1964 was an eventful year. Northern Rhodesia – a former British protectorate – became Zambia, ending 73 years of British rule. Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison. Boxer Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali and the heavyweight champion of the world. Nicolas Cage and Boris Johnson were born. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles was at Number One. The pilot episode script for Star Trek was approved, while Disney’s Mary Poppins premiered… and Isuzu Trucks began its journey in South Africa.

According to Craig Uren, senior vice president: revenue generation (SACU markets) at Isuzu Motors South Africa, the company had a simple yet powerful vision: to provide reliable, durable, and innovative commercial vehicles to meet the evolving needs of businesses across the nation.

“Since our inception 60 years ago, Isuzu Trucks has been synonymous with quality and performance. We entered the South African market in 1964, introducing the iconic Isuzu Elfin TKG 10 petrol-engine 1.5-tonne truck, marking the beginning of a legacy that would shape the transportation industry for decades to come,” he says.

Uren notes that, over the years, the company has continuously raised the bar, “introducing groundbreaking technologies and pioneering advancements that have redefined the standards of excellence in commercial vehicles”. Furthermore, it “consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation” to deliver vehicles that exceed expectations. “Securing the top spot in the cab-over-chassis market in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle segments for 11 years consecutively is testament to our trucks’ unwavering reliability and durability,” he emphasises.

One of the company’s key pillars of success lies in its “relentless pursuit of technological advancement and environmental sustainability”, says Uren. “As part of our five-step alternative propulsion journey towards full Carbon Neutral New Energy Vehicles – in addition to Euro 5 models already available – we are excited to announce that diesel dual fuel is now available as an option on 20 of our truck models, offering customers a more sustainable and efficient transportation solution,” he continues. “The recently introduced NPR 400 Compressed Natural Gas model further expands our range of environmentally friendly vehicles.”

Finally, as the company commemorates 60 years of Isuzu Trucks in South Africa, Uren has some people he would like to thank. “We extend our sincere gratitude to our customers, partners, and employees for their unwavering support and trust. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones and overcome challenges – and we remain committed to driving innovation, excellence, and sustainability in the years to come,” he concludes.