Isuzu confirms battery-electric D-Max for 2025, to be assembled in Thailand with Norway as the first market
Dinesh Ā· Oct 12, 2023 04:50 PM
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Having previously reported that Isuzu Motors will be building a battery-electric version of its D-Max pick-up, the heavy-duty automaker has now confirmed the model will be coming and would be assembled in Thailand and launched in Norway in 2025.
Isuzu confirmed the electric model during a media briefing for the facelifted D-Max.
āIsuzu is actively taking efforts to realize a carbon-neutral society. Going forward, Isuzu plans to produce a BEV (battery electric vehicle) pick-up truck in Thailand. Isuzu will first introduce it in Europe and then examine its gradual roll out by meeting the needs of each market, including Thailand. Expectations of Thailand, Isuzuās largest market for its pickup trucks, will remain steady in the years to come,ā said Isuzu President Shinsuke Minami.
This marks the first time Isuzu has confirmed where the electric D-Max will be built. Given that Isuzuās Thai factory supplies its assembled D-Max units to Australia, it's like that market will get the electrified D-Max soon after Norway though it remains unlikely for Malaysia as we're probably not ready for an electric pick-up.
Although Thailand is Isuzuās strongest market, Australia remains a key part of the equation as well with 24,336 units sold in 2022, accounting for 14 percent of the pick-ups approximately 340,000 units sold globally. For comparisons sake, Isuzu sold about 180,000 units in Thailand the same year.
The electric D-Max will be powered by an electric motor from Isuzuās truck division, the same motor that powers its NRR EV small N-Series lorry. Both the D-Max and N-Series small lorry share variants of its 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine.
While thereās no specifications yet for the electric D-Max, previous reports have speculated itāll sport the E-Max emblem.
āBetter late than never.ā Some despise it, others begrudgingly agree with it but he swears by itā¦ much to the chagrin of everyone around him. That unfortunately stems from all of his project cars not running most of the time, which in turn is testament to his questionable decision-making skills in life. A culmination of many wrongs fortunately making a right; much like his project cars on the rare occasions they run, heās still trying to figure out if another project car is the way to go.
