Isuzu trucks for the UK market
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by Toby Clark Isuzu light-middleweight trucks are to be sold officially in the UK from next year, and assembled by Leyland Trucks in Lancashire.
Lex Service has obtained the Isuzu light truck franchise for the UK and will form a distribution company, Isuzu Truck (UK).
The trucks are the NSeries (NHR, NKR and NPR). ranging from 3.5 to 6.2 tonnes GVI.V. They will not compete with Leyland Daf's 45 Series, also built at Leyland, which starts at 7.5 tonnes.
Rather than appointing dealers Lex will use its existing network of service centres and Transfleet con tract-hire outlets, which will also provide breakdown support. Spares backup will be handled by Lex's recent acquisition Multipart.
Lex Service estimates the N-Series' potential market at around 20,000 vehicles a year, and aims to take 5% of that within five years, selling to individual and fleet customers. If the launch is successful Lex will consider introducing a wider product range.
This deal does not affect the Isuzu franchise of International Motors (which distributes the Trooper off-road vehicle) or Vauxhall, which assembles and distributes Isuzu light commercials.