Not even a global pandemic could stop the relentless march of modernization with the country’s leading truck maker.

On July 8, Isuzu Philippines Corporation held the formal groundbreaking ceremony for its Isuzu Davao dealership at MacArthur Highway, Matina in Davao City. The occasion was witnessed by officers and executives of IPC and Southern Motors of Davao Inc (SMDI). The proceedings were shared to members of the local and national motoring media via an online conference.

The occasion marked the beginning of the actual groundworks for IPC’s 11th dealership to adopt the Isuzu Outlet Standardization (IOS), which envisions the Japanese truck maker’s role in the global and Philippine automotive industry in the decades to come.

The guiding principles in forming the new design focuses on:

• The creation of a conducive atmosphere that leads to improved customer experience and smoother business operations.
• The application of purposeful design that is tailored to varying customer needs
• The communication of Isuzu’s reputation for durable, reliable, strong and fuel-efficient vehicles.

Isuzu Davao’s IOS dealership will feature industrial style elements that speak to Isuzu’s truck and lifestyle vehicle customers. The fascia of the new dealership will be fitted with robust-looking expanded metal mesh between long red bands, expressing Isuzu’s reputation for durable and reliable products. The minimalist interior design, on the other hand, conveys a clean and sleek atmosphere while providing a more spacious and organized area for its users. The new dealership layout was carefully arranged by taking the standpoint of the customers, enhancing the overall customer journey. Productivity will also be improved in both sales and service operations by outlining the flow of people and products within the dealership.

Jockson Liu, President of Isuzu Davao, stressed during his remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony that the dealership which it owns and manages is nearing the final stages of its re-building.

“As we face the COVID-19 pandemic, local and world business leaders are adopting new measures in order to protect and preserve their identity in the market.  We at Isuzu Davao are firm and resolute in our decision to carry out the mission of demolishing the old building and constructing a new and modern showroom. We have reached this final phase of construction which I consider like no other. I say this because we will be demolishing and building all in the same location. As we break this ground today, we will lay a stronger foundation that could last another 70 years.”

Liu added that SMDI, which has been in operation for 71 years, has been a part of life of three generations of Filipino families and businesses.

IPC President Hajime Koso, in his remarks during the ceremony, recognized Isuzu Davao’s key role in the growth of the brand in southern Philippines, and its continuing importance as a showcase of IPC’s pioneering model in IOS.

“For more than 70 years, Isuzu Davao-SMDI has been in operations catering to clients in Davao City, providing outstanding sales experience and excellent aftersales service. Isuzu Davao has been a leader amongst the network and was even awarded the 2011 Isuzu Dealer of the Year. We in IPC are very proud that Isuzu Davao and its customers will be one of the first to experience the new and improved IOS.”

Koso added, “As IPC aims for the utmost ‘Customer Success’, the IOS is aligned with Isuzu’s Global Dealership Standards that gives importance to not just to the sales side but the overall customer journey—starting from their inquiry, sales, aftersales service and their continuous return to our showroom, the new outlet standard will enable us to provide customer support in every step of the way.”

The new Isuzu Davao showroom is expected to be completed by March 2021.

With its IOS, IPC, which observes its 23rd year of operations this August, envisions its continuing leadership role in the sales and aftersales services of light commercial vehicles and trucks in the Philippine automotive landscape in the years to come.