Isuzu MU-X 2014 News

Isuzu MU-X SUV helps Isuzu Ute Australia achieve best year to date with sales growth of 63.3 per cent.The introduction of the MU-X SUV helped push Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) to its best result since entering the Australian market in 2009, bucking the national trend of slowing new car sales.The result was also assisted by a 21.3 per cent growth in sales for the D-Max 4x4 light commercial ute.The MU-X had 4,625 sales, while the D-Max 4x2 increased it's 2013 sales by 150 to reach 1,752 for 2014.In December, the MU-X outsold other ute-based SUV rivals such as the Holden Colorado 7 and Mitsubishi Challenger.The D-Max 4x4 also ended the year on a high, out-selling the Nissan Navara 4x4, Holden Colorado 4x4 and Mazda BT-50 utes.IUA attributes the strong 2014 result to a continuing expansion of their dealership network, with a focus on supporting the manufacturer's mining fleet customers alongside metropolitan areas.IUA Managing Director & CEO, Yasuhiro Takeuchi was extremely happy with the result, but said the company would not be resting on its laurels."We have some very exciting plans afoot to ensure our growth is not only sustainable, but increased in 2015 and beyond," he said.The impressive numbers represent a continuing of IUA's significant growth over their six-year history, despite their lineup being limited to the just the D-Max and MU-X ranges.Sales of IUA vehicles grew by 43 per cent in 2010, the company's second year in Australia. This was followed by growth of 25 per cent in 2011, 21 per cent in 2012 and 30 per cent in 2013.

Australasian Safari class-winning Isuzu MU-X SUV to compete in 2015 Dakar Rally in South AmericaIsuzu Motorsports is taking their class-winning MU-X SUV to the other side of the world to compete in the 2015 Dakar Rally, which starts in Buenos Aires on January 4.The MU-X entered in the Dakar is the same car that won its class in both the Finke Desert Race in June and the Australasian Safari in September this year.Based on the production MU-X available in showrooms, the racing version features the same 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine although it has been tweaked to produce 180kW and 600Nm - about 50kW and 220Nm more than the roadgoing version.Isuzu Motorsports team boss Bruce Garland - who finished 11th outright in the 2009 Dakar Rally - will step aside from driving duties this time around, with Adrian Di Lallo filling the seat alongside five-time Dakar competitor and Bruce’s usual co-driver Harry Suzuki.We always want to beat the Toyota HiLuxesDi Lallo piloted the MU-X to class victory and fifth outright in this year's Australasian Safari and is confident the production-based SUV has what it takes."The car's got what it takes to finish, obviously it'll be really challenging, but we have the right equipment and a very good chance at placing well in the production class and we'll be doing our absolute best," he said.The team is also quietly confident, however spokesman Dave Harding is mindful of the event's gruelling nature."We're quietly confident we can finish and post a good result," he said."There's so much luck involved, it's a pretty foolish person that says 'we'll finish on the podium'."We'd like to be one of the top-running diesels."The team also know who they have to keep their eyes on in order to succeed."We always want to beat the Toyota HiLuxes," Harding said.Although the Dakar hasn't run its traditional route between continental Europe and the Senegalese capital in seven years, the now-South American race is still regarded as one of the most arduous off-road rallies in the world.The 2015 edition of the Dakar will cover 8,500km across Argentina, Bolivia and Chile over 15 days. This year's event will also include 'marathon' stages; longer stages during which mechanical repairs are prohibited.The Dakar starts in Buenos Aires on January 4 and concludes January 17 after looping over the Andes mountain range to Iquique on the Chilean coast.

Two class wins and a second-in-class for the factory Isuzu Australasian Safari team.Isuzu Motorsports has claimed two class victories and a second in class victory as all three factory entries completed the 2014 Australasian Safari yesterday.After more than 3000km and eight days of desert competition between Perth and Kilbarri in Western Australia, the Isuzu MU-X wagon of Adrian Di Lallo and co-driver Rodger Pedersen won the production class and crossed the line fifth overall. Second on the production class podium was claimed by the Isuzu D-MAX ute of OLan Sornsirirat and Veerachai Thorangkoon, finishing seventh overall after moving one place up the order from their day 7 result. The Dakar-spec D-Max ute of desert rally veterans and five-time Safari winners Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki also finished first in class, but 17th overall, after dropping from fourth overall with electrical gremlins on the fourth day of competition.Overall victory was claimed by David McShane and William Haynes in their Toyota Tacoma stadium racer, after the previous race-leading Holden VF of Steve Riley and John Doble found themselves stuck in a ditch in the muddy conditions. Second on the podium was claimed by the Nissan Patrol of Greg Scanlon and Liam Nunns.The muddy 157km Murchison Mega Finale gave teams some of the toughest conditions of the event, with the MU-X of Di Lallo/Pederson forced to tackle most of the stage with only two driven wheels. “Two kilometres into the stage we lost four-wheel-drive and it was pouring with rain and muddy. Bucketing down and really hard going. We brushed a tree and got lost – so did most others actually – and we lost a lot of time trying to find the right way, but we made it,” Pederson said.“Today was unbelievable with the rain bucketing down. A whole lot of us got lost and then Steve Riley got stuck in a ditch and a bunch of us helped pull him out. We got soaking wet and covered in mud, but we still had a good time. That’s what Safari is all about,” Isuzu Motorsports boss Bruce Garland concluded.

Isuzu MU-X and D-MAX continue to dominate production class in Australasian Safari penultimate day.The Isuzu MU-X of Adrian Di Lallo and Roger Pedersen continue to lead the production class of the Australasian Safari, with the D-MAX of teammates OLan Sornsirirat and Veerachai Thorangkoon retaining second place after the second-last day of competition.The Isuzu Motorsports MU-X is still fifth overall, but the Sornsirirat/Thorangkoon D-MAX ute has dropped one position to eighth overall after being forced to change a tyre. “It was a real drivers’ day. We lost time on the third stage with a puncture over some very sharp rocky areas but we’re still pushing,” Pedersen said.The Dakar-spec D-MAX ute of Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki has fallen to 17th outright from the 20 remaining runners in the ‘car’ category, with the pair now focusing on reaching the finish line after losing a day due to electrical gremlins on Day 4.“The conditions were quite rough out there today, but we’re not pushing it. We’re just following the two MU-Xs through, and making sure everyone gets to cross the finish line,” Garland said.However, the day was not without drama for the Isuzu Motorsports premier pairing as they travelled between Exmouth and Carnarvon - 900km north of Perth in Western Australia.“We did have a bit of a moment today. There was a section where Harry called a triple caution with a turn, and I thought he meant we turned after the caution, but just as well I pulled up, because the caution referred to a 100m cliff that would have dropped us straight into the Indian Ocean if we had gone over,” Garland said.“We stopped about a car’s width from the cliff edge and turned in time! It was actually very beautiful, running along parallel to the sea, but it could have been a bit nasty! Everything is going well with the cars, and it is really just a spanner check tonight.”The final stage of the 2014 Australasian Safari will take place later today, with the 157km ‘Murchison Mega Finale’ leg ending at Kalbarri - 592km north of Perth.

Di Lallo, Pedersen lead production class as Garland returns to Australasian Safari rally.Western Australia's own Adrian Di Lallo and Roger Pedersen have continued their strong performance in the Australasian Safari, maintaining their fifth outright and class leading positions after the fifth leg of the desert rally.The pair's production-class Isuzu MU-X leads the way for the Isuzu Motorsports effort with teammates OLan Sornsirirat and Veerachai Thorangkoon still second in class in their production-class D-MAX, and seventh outright.Di Lallo and Pedersen's day was not without incident however."We damaged a drive component on the rough terrain and I had to complete the second stage today in two-wheel drive," Di Lallo said."I’m surprised with the times and happy we did so well, considering what we went through."Roger Pedersen was especially cheerful in the bivouac having earned the highest of praise from his co-driver."For the second day in a row I didn’t get us lost, so the big fella bought me an ice cream!" he said.Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki made a return to the Safari after having to miss leg four in order to continue repairs on their Dakar-spec D-MAX from an electrical problem incurred during leg three.Garland said he and Suzuki were now concentrating on supporting their teammates and just making it through to the end of the rally."I’m really proud of Adrian and Roj, and the other guys," he said."They are doing a fantastic job. Four of our five Isuzus still running and in contention for a strong finish. Just wish it was five out of five. "We’ll be doing our best to support them through to the end."Just two days remain in the 2014 Australasian Safari rally, with the field spending the penultimate day travelling south from Exmouth to Carnarvon.On the way are three competitive stages - 102km at Cardabia, 142km at Gnaraloo and 72km at Quobba - before the rally comes to its conclusion in Kalbarri on Saturday.

MU-X of Di Lallo heads Isuzu Australasian Safari charge after Garland misses stages.Adrian Di Lallo and Roger Pedersen took over as the front-running Isuzu Motorsports entry in the Australasian Safari yesterday after Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki were unable to rectify the electrical issues in their D-MAX from Tuesday.Garland said he was disappointed to lose out on a chance of another victory in the Safari but the car would be ready to go for leg five to run in support of his teammates."It turned out to be an electrical issue that affected the engine timing, which is why it cut out," he said."However it is now definitely up and running and we’re planning on a start tomorrow and – all going well – crossing the finish line of this great event on Saturday."Di Lallo and Pedersen's production-class MU-X moved up into fifth outright and maintain their position as class leader.OLan Sornsirirat and Veerachai Thorangkoon in the Isuzu Motorsports Thailand production-class D-MAX had a good day, holding down second in their class behind Di Lallo and moving up into seventh outright.The Safari stays around the coastal town of Exmouth for day 6 with two stages taking place. The first is a 161km run near Yanrey and the second a 209km stage at Emu Creek/Winning, sections of which are a repeat of yesterday's stage due to course changes.

Garland, Di Lallo hit trouble in leg 3 of Australasian Safari.Isuzu Motorsports had a troubled run during the third leg of the Australasian Safari desert rally, with the podium contending D-MAX of Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki grinding to a halt during the day's first stage.Garland said the D-MAX was performing well when the high-performance vehicle suddenly lost power."We were going gangbusters, but not driving overly hard, when the D-MAX just came to a halt," he said."It was like someone had turned off the ignition. Harry and I crawled all over it, but despite the fact we are pretty good bush mechanics there was nothing we could do. We had to get towed in."Isuzu teammates Adrian Di Lallo and Roger Pedersen also encountered problems during the day's tough stages, with their production-class MU-X suffering damage from hitting a creek too quickly and rolling.The accident removed all the communications and GPS monitoring equipment, with Roger Pedersen saying the racing gods were smiling on them."In hindsight, it was probably to our advantage that we lost the terratrip and communications because it made us back off a bit," he said."The car is going great, considering what we put her through. There’s really not much work to do on it tonight."With Garland and Suzuki not completing the day, Di Lallo and Pedersen now find themselves in sixth outright, although they are now over an hour from the race leading Holden VF of Steve Riley and John Doble.Isuzu Motorsports Thailand's entry of a production-class D-MAX driven by OLan Sornsirirat and Veerachai Thorangkoon managed to steer clear of all the trouble and finished the day in 11th outright, 2.5 hours behind class leader Di Lallo.Wednesday's stages will see the field leave Gascoyne Junction and head towards the coastal town of Exmouth. On the way are two competitive stages: 212km at Williambury and 108km at Winning.

Isuzu D-MAX of Garland fourth overall, while MU-X of Di Lallo seventh after third day of the Australasian Safari.Isuzu Motorsports have consolidated their position after the yesterday's two competitive stages of the Australasian Safari desert rally with Bruce Garland maintaining his top five spot and teammate Adrian Di Lallo moving into the top ten.Di Lallo and co-driver Roger Pedersen came out firing in yesterday's first stage - a 171km run through Bedracoine Find - with his production-class Isuzu MU-X finishing the stage with hte sixth quickest time. Their run bested the high-performance, Dakar-spec D-MAX of Garland and Harry Suzuki by 30 seconds.Garland and Suzuki recovered during the second marathon 256km stage at Sonny Find, before finishing the stage with the fourth quickest time and five minutes ahead of Di Lallo and Pedersen.Although the Holden VF of Steve Riley and John Doble ended the day with the race lead, the pace of the Garland D-MAX meant it remained less than ten minutes behind when the field returned to the bivouac.The strength of Di Lallo's day means he hold onto the lead in his class despite dropping some time to the outright leader.Bruce Garland said he was maintaining his cautious approach to the opening stages of the rally. "It was a fairly tough day today and we have two more hard days to come, but we are making good progress and I am really happy with the D-MAX. It’s perfect," he said."We’re not at full pace but doing a good clip and I’m happy with that."Adrian Di Lallo said his MU-X is handling the terrain really well."For a production car, it’s outstanding," Di Lallo said."This morning’s stage was great but the marathon stage this afternoon was difficult, technical and rough."For the Isuzu Motorsports Thailand entry of OLan Sornsirirat and Veerachai Thorangkoon yesterday's stages did not go so well with their production D-MAX dropping nearly two hours and ending the day back in 21st.Leg three of the Australasian Safari comprises a 147km stage at Gifford and the longest stage of the rally, 288km, at Eudamulla with the bivouac spending a second night at Gascoyne Junction before heading to Exmouth in leg four.

Bruce Garland D-MAX third overall and Di Lallo MU-X leading class after first Australasian Safari competitive stages.Isuzu Motorsports’ Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki sit third overall after yesterday's first three competitive stages of the 2014 Australasian Safari desert rally in Western Australia.Garland and Suzuki, in their Dakar-spec Isuzu D-MAX, improved over the day to sit only 10 minutes behind the race leading Ford Ranger of John Purshouse and Murray Hynes when the field rolled into the bivouac for the overnight stop in Murchison.Isuzu teammates Adrian De Lallo and Roger Pedersen had an even better time in their production-class MU-X finishing the day leading their class.The Isuzu Motorsports Thailand entry of OLan Sornsirirat and Veerachai Thorangkoon finished the day 14th overall and second in class behind Di Lallo and Pedersen.All three cars became more competitive as the day wore on.The Garland/Suzuki D-MAX was only eighth fastest in the first stage of the day, but improved to finish fifth in the long second stage at Murchison River as well as the final stage at Murchison Oasis. Di Lallo and Pedersen started their rally with 14th in stage one, 10th in stage two and 7th in stage three.The second day of competition involves two competitive stages at Bedracoine Find and Sonny Find as the field continues heading north from Murchison to Gascoyne Junction.

Isuzu Motorsports Australasian Safari entries to start 7th, 12th, and 18th after Glengarry Prologue.The 2014 Australasian Safari desert rally kicked off in Western Australia yesterday, with competitors taking to the 10km Glengarry Prologue to determine the starting order for Sunday's first day of competition.Isuzu Motorsports' Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki will start 7th. Their Dakar-spec D-MAX ute completed the stage with a time of 9:25, 47 seconds behind the pace-setting Riley Motorsports Holden VF of Steve Riley and John Doble.Western Australia's own Adrian Di Lallo and Roger Pedersen finished 12th, a further 14 seconds behind, in their production-class Isuzu MU-X while the Isuzu Motorsports Thailand effort of OLan Sorniriat and Veerachai Thorangkoon in a production-class D-MAX ute finished 18th, second in class behind Di Lallo and 1:37 behind the leader.Garland said the Isuzu Motorsports teams were taking a laid back approach to the first day. "We all took it pretty easy out there and we're all pretty happy with our pace," he said."There's a long way to go before the finish next weekend and if you push too hard too soon, it's very easy to come unstuck."Di Lallo, who is looking to take a class victory at rally's end, said his MU-X is performing well. "The car is going really well and feels strong and quick," he said."I'm happy with it and think we'll do well in the production class."The next leg sees the field take on the first competitive stages of the Australasian Safari. The run from Utakarra to Murchison comprises three timed stages at Greenough River (88.48km long), Murchison River (167.14km) and Murchison Oasis (26.22km).