Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) says stronger supply, which has seen it post record sales, will continue into 2024.
The company says it has been able to import over 5000 vehicles to Australia monthly since June, and says arrival volumes will remain “consistently higher” into early 2024.
The brand has implemented new strategies to cut down supply and shipping difficulties.
Instead of relying entirely upon popular methods such as roll-on roll-off car carrier ships, Isuzu is also transporting cars in shipping containers.
This makes it easier for the company to avoid quarantine contamination and the necessary abatement work, and helps to offer greater corrosion protection.
In addition to modifying its shipping methods, Isuzu has also partnered with international suppliers and loading ports to reduce the risk of contamination before vessel departure.
Isuzu says it is continuing to coordinate with local shipping partners to improve domestic transportation times, and working closely with the Australian Border Force regarding contaminated shipments.
The company says it has also increased availability for individual components.
The two-model carmaker sold 4712 vehicles last month, eclipsing its March 2023 peak of 4534 units in a single month.
Its 3281 D-Max ute sales reset the model’s monthly high watermark, while the MU-X SUV’s 1431 sales was its second-highest return on record.
The August result saw the company finish eighth on the brand sales charts and grab 4.3 per cent total market share.
Year-to-date to the end of August, Isuzu has sold 28,409 units and recorded 3.6 per cent market share. At that run-rate it will demolish its previous full-year sales record of 35,735 sales set in 2021.
“The company expresses sincere appreciation for the patience and ongoing support demonstrated by its customers throughout this unprecedented period of delays and guarantees its ongoing dedication to taking measures to decrease wait times remains steadfast,” said Isuzu Ute Australia managing director Junta Matsui.
Isuzu isn’t the only company moving to diversify its shipping methods.
Ford Australia is working to cut wait times on the Ranger and Everest, and has signed a three-year exclusive deal to put the Grand Quest – a roll-on, roll-off car carrier with a capacity of 2600 vehicles – on a dedicated route from Thailand to Australia and New Zealand.
Like Isuzu, it also plans to utilise shipping containers.
Mitsubishi and BYD are already using containers which can carry three cars at a time in a secure environment that avoids potential cross-contamination, and is easier for potential fumigation in Australia, while MG has taken the significant step of chartering its own ship.
The quarantine crisis on Australian docks has now been running for more than a year, despite counter-measures including a dedicated onshore processing facility in Melbourne.
Apart from the onshore delays in processing and treatment, many ships have been forced to wait for their place in the docking queue.
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