JAPANESE pick-up purveyor Isuzu is marking its centenary this year, buoyed by its best ever annual sales performance in the UK last year, writes William Scholes.
Isuzu UK will be celebrating the milestone with a range of model upgrades and special events to reflect its heritage and status as one of the world's leading manufacturers of diesel engines, pick-ups and light commercial vehicles.
In 2015, Isuzu sold 6,220 D-Max pick-ups in Britain and Northern Ireland, representing a 478 per cent increase over the 1,076 models registered in 2009.
In spring, a UK-only special edition will join the Isuzu D-Max line-up complete with premium accessories and extensive upgrades to further widen its appeal.
This year also marks 30 years since International Motors began importing Isuzu vehicles to the UK.
Since then, the D-Max has proved to be the company's best seller, building on the earlier success of the sturdy Trooper 4x4.
However, it was the Piazza - a futuristic 1980s sports coupe - that jostled for space on my nine-year-old self's bedroom wall with exotica from Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini.
:: More on the Isuzu centenary at www.isuzu.co.uk/100
