The history of Isuzu pickup trucks began six decades before the D-MAX arrived in Mexico. From the WASP, introduced in 1963, to the current generation, these vehicles have gone through different stages incorporating changes in capability, traction, safety, and fuel consumption, the company reported in a press release.
The first model mentioned by the company in this trajectory is the WASP . Later, in 1972 , the FASTER appeared, identified by Isuzu as its first one-ton pickup.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the platform evolved into the Faster Rodeo series . This period saw the addition of 4WD and modifications to the unit design.
D-MAX appeared in 2002
The name D-MAX arrived in 2002 with the introduction of the first generation of the model. By then, Isuzu had accumulated almost four decades of experience developing pickup trucks.
Nine years later, in 2011 , the second generation was introduced, in which the company placed greater emphasis on safety and environmental responsibility. The third generation arrived in 2019 , incorporating changes related to efficiency, structure, and design.
In parallel, the development of the D-MAX has included adjustments to its diesel engines to meet torque and fuel consumption requirements, as well as modifications related to structural strength, load capacity, safety systems and driver conditions .
From trucks to pickups
Part of this evolution stems from Isuzu’s experience with cargo trucks and diesel engines . The company noted that, since the development of the D-MAX, it has sought to transfer some of those elements to a smaller vehicle intended for different work activities.
The current generation uses a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine , whose configuration considers operations that require response in situations such as dragging and slopes.
The development also considers aspects related to maintenance, durability and operation , which the company groups within the total cost of ownership (TCO) for vehicles used as work tools.
Currently, the D-MAX is part of Isuzu’s portfolio in Mexico in the SE, HL, and DX versions . Its introduction to the Mexican market coincides with the company’s 20th year of operations in the country, where it has 36 dealerships and 40 authorized service centers .
With the D-MAX, the history of Isuzu pickups, which began with the WASP in 1963, spans more than six decades , while the model that adopted the current name has accumulated 24 years since the appearance of its first generation in 2002.
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