Don't want to wait for a Toyota HiLux or Ford Everest? Isuzu Ute on track for record-setting 2023 as freer supply of D-Max and MU-X open up

Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) is headed for a banner 2023 as sales surpass 28,000 units after eight months of trading.

August was a particularly strong month for the brand with 4712 deliveries, while sales are up 16.7 per cent year-to-date to a total of 28,409.

The most popular vehicle in the brand’s two-model line-up is the D-Max ute, which amassed 3281 combined 4x2 and 4x4 sales last month, outpacing the Nissan Navara (839), soon-to-be-replaced Mitsubishi Triton (1088) and mechanically related Mazda BT-50 (1406).

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To the end of August, the D-Max has found 18,594 new homes, making it the third most-popular ute behind the market-leading Toyota HiLux (38,525) and Ford Ranger (37,644).

As for the MU-X, Isuzu sold 1431 examples last month, just 71 units shy of its Ford Everest ute-based rival, while also behind the Toyota Prado (1969) and Subaru Outback (1654) in the large SUV segment.

So far this year, the MU-X has notched 9815 sales, nearly a 40 per cent year-on-year increase.

Why the sudden spike in sales?

Isuzu Ute Australia said it has “implemented a number of strategic initiatives to reduce waiting times” and has “increased Isuzu D-Max ute and MU-X SUV supply”.

The brand cites three key areas of improvement – boosted component supply, vehicle production efficiencies and faster shipping – to get cars into customer hands quicker, and highlights logistics as an ongoing challenge that can still be bettered.

Isuzu Ute Managing Director Junta Matsui said the brand would continue to make strides in cutting wait times for its D-Max and MU-X.

“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,” he said.

IUA also forecasts this boosted supply will carry through the rest of the year and into early 2024, boding well for its chances of a new sales high for 2023.

The brand is promising Australia will continue to see “consistently higher” vehicle supply in the near future, which across the last three months has seen “over 5000 vehicles arriving each month”.

Keep in mind, a vehicle entering the country is not necessarily a vehicle sold.

However, if IUA can keep up its monthly average of around 3551 units per month, it should end the year with a tally around 42,613 units, easily surpassing its 2021 high of 35,735 sales.