"It will continue": Isuzu doubles-down on diesel for D-Max and MU-X as it says brand isn't going anywhere in the face of new emissions regulations

Reports of Isuzu's departure from Australia appear to have been wide of the mark, with the brand not just vowing to stay in our market once the New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) is introduced, but forecasting a long future for its diesel engines here, too.

As a brand that sells two models – one ute and one ute-based 4WD – both of which are powered by a choice of diesel engines.

Isuzu was considered one of the companies most at risk from the introduction of the NVES, which would enforce company-wide emission caps and possibly enforce fines for those who can't reach the multi-year stretch goals.

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Most companies could offset their diesel products, at least initially, through the sale of hybrids, PHEVs and EVs, Isuzu can't.

In a statement, the brand said that "vehicle brands that cannot increase vehicle pricing to cover the penalties may be left with no option but to exit the Australian market, risking a weakening of competition again to the detriment of Australian consumers."

But at the launch of the updated D-Max, Isuzu now says it wasn't referring to itself, that its future in Australia is secure and that diesel engines will continue in Australia for some time.

Asked where the diesel would still be a fuel source in Australia in five or 10 years time, Isuzu's senior management replied: "Diesel will continue to meet the usage in Australia especially. (You know) how Australians use these SUVs and utes. They tow caravans, and Australia is such a wide big country, and the range should be huge as well. In those terms I think diesel will still continue."

Isuzu commits to remaining in our market post-NVES introduction and pledges a lasting presence for its diesel engines.

The brand went on to suggest there was "no intention to exit the Australia market" and that, while the recently announced electric D-Max was yet to be confirmed for Australia, the brand was working on new technologies to help it meet its targets, and hadn't ruled out hybrid or plug-in hybrid diesel.

"Australia continues to be the biggest export market for Isuzu," says the brand's sales chief, Ben Jaeger.

"It's a great market for Isuzu. We want to be here and we're looking at a number of different options to meet the requirements as we move forward.

"We're not saying we're not bringing other technology to market. There are lots of options that are going to be available to us. The engineers and the designers are working.

"They're trying to work out how we can meet those specific tasks. There's many different branches and channels that I guess we can go with. The final drive train fuel type has not yet been decided but there's lots of different options available to us."