For Australia’s leading truck brand, 2025 is poised to be a landmark year. Having recently been crowned as Australia’s leading heavy commercial vehicle brand for a 36th consecutive year, Isuzu Australia is at the peak of its powers.
In the aftermath of its 13,402 heavy vehicles delivered in 2024, capturing a market share of 26.1 per cent, the brand is set to go to new heights in 2025 through a 17-year first. Starting at May’s Brisbane Truck Show, Isuzu Australia will launch a whole new truck range to the local market that replaces some of its most popular models of the past two decades.
“We are bubbling with excitement at the depth and scale of this launch,” Isuzu Australia chief engineer Simon Humphries told OwnerDriver.
“This is the largest scale model change to a truck range we’ve done, including the biggest technological advancement that Isuzu has ever undertaken both globally and in Australia.”
The scale of which Isuzu is planning to update its model range is enormous, even for the dominant force of the local truck market. Just this year, Isuzu Australia is planning to introduce around 150 new individual truck models within a short period of time. All of these models will feature a common electronic architecture alongside new driveline components, emissions controls and safety systems.
While it mirrors Isuzu’s last line-up change that it did all the way back in 2007 and 2008, Humphries says this edition will be on a much grander scale.
“We had a huge introduction of an all-new range for Australia back 17 years ago, but this is bigger and more advanced,” he says.
In the lead-up to such a sizeable transformation, Isuzu Australia has made significant investments in its team to prepare for the major launch. By focusing on its personnel, product development systems and supply chain strategies, Isuzu Australia has left no stone unturned.
When these factors support the roll-out of Isuzu’s new line-up, it’ll be another unique chapter in the brand’s local trucking history. The way Isuzu plans its fleet changes is completely different to how its competitors do so. Instead of consistently introducing new models and upgraded versions to the market, Isuzu Australia has waited more than 15 years to introduce a larger scale update.
When asked about this plan, Humphries identified three key reasons that motivate Isuzu to plan major model releases at the one time, rather than consistently unveiling updated trucks every few years.
“The first fact we take into account when it comes to these large releases is that it’s quite common for heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers to have around 15 to 20 years between major model changes,” he says.
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“However, other brands tend to keep their models ‘fresh’ by making smaller changes every two to three years. This means the full model change at around the 17 year mark isn’t unusual.
“Another fact is that the new line-up comes only a year or so after Isuzu launched similar models with the same features in Japan, so the timing is really good to introduce these to Australia.
“The last fact is that the timing of this release also ensures that all relevant models will comply with the three key Australian Design Rules (ADRs) being introduced in 2025.”
The last point is a critical one that explains Isuzu’s rationale in unveiling the new model line-up this year. From February 1, all goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVM will have to be fitted with smart braking features such as anti-lock braking (ABS) and vehicle stability control (ESC) as per ADR 35/07. On top of this, ADR 97/00 will require all new heavy goods vehicles of the same GVM to have Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) systems fitted from the same date.
Thirdly, ADR 80/04 requires all existing heavy vehicle models supplied to Australia to meet Euro 6 emissions standards from November 1 onwards. All of these regulatory changes means Isuzu has picked the right year to introduce an updated model range that aligns with these new ADRs.
The new models will be on display at May’s Brisbane Truck Show, allowing Isuzu to showcase the very best of its new technology to the entire Australian trucking industry. Humphries says the event will signal the beginning of Isuzu’s plan to release the models throughout 2025.
“We will be previewing the entire range at the Brisbane Truck Show, with some models appearing at Isuzu truck dealerships immediately afterwards,” he says.
“Some further models will arrive around August, while the remainder of the new models will be released for sale by November 2025.”
This timeline highlights the focus that Isuzu Australia has on releasing its new model range before the final emissions standard ADR comes into place in November.
When the vehicles do begin rolling out into Isuzu dealerships and then onto Australian roads, the brand is teasing a theme that centres around an improved safety and driver environment focus. This will also include a “vastly improved” safety suite – although many Australian model N, F and FX-FY Series trucks already include these features, Humphries says the latest models will take the overall concept of truck safety to a whole new level.
“The entire current model line-up is being replaced with similar specifications, from the narrow cab NLR models to the large FY twin steer range,” he says.
“The total number of discrete models will be reduced to about 150 overall, with the main consolidation being a major reduction in the availability of manual transmissions. For example, all the 6-cylinder new models are available with only an Allison auto transmission.”
Humphries says Isuzu will also re-introduce the compact, low height cab type look with the addition of the new NKR models. The N Series will be underpinned by a new advanced electrical architecture, including seven all-new active safety features and full speed adaptive cruise control on all two-pedal models. On selected models, miss acceleration mitigation and Bi-LED headlamps will be featured with integrated daytime running lamps. The N Series will also see traffic sign recognition included using stereo camera technology.
When it comes to medium-duty applications, the F Series will have a “substantial upgrade” to its safety systems, with 12 active and passive systems included. The FX-FY Series will also have plenty of additions, with electronic stability control and lane keep assist part of the revamp.
Focusing on driver safety and retention is a primary reason for Isuzu’s many updates that it’s making to the new range. Humphries says drivers will immediately notice multiple changes upon first hopping into the cab of a new Isuzu truck model later this year and turning on the ignition.
“There are a minimum of six new safety systems being introduced to every model in the MY2025 range,” he says.
“From full-speed adaptive cruise control on all two-pedal models to auto lighting across the range, there’s plenty in it for the drivers.
“All models are more ‘carlike’ to drive, with improved seating and driving position across the range. Medium and heavy duty models will get an impressive driver seat with standard heating and ventilation, as well as a standard arm rest in many models.”
This idea of Isuzu’s new trucks being more ‘carlike’ is a popular term for Humphries and the Isuzu team. By also reducing the interior noise levels and lowering the ultra-violet and infra-red radiation that enters the cab through the windscreen and other glass, Isuzu is sweating the little parts that go into its new model range. With a standard climate control system included to make comfort management more effective, Isuzu has gone the extra mile with a 7” full colour central information display that is complemented by steering wheel controls and easy access to AV unit volume and telephone controls.
The final pillar of Isuzu’s impending release is sustainability. Having been a prominent focus for many in the local truck industry, Isuzu’s landmark line-up coming this year is not going to veer away from this trend.
“Isuzu has increased the number of components that are fully recyclable, as well as preparing the way for easy production of carbon neutral drivelines like battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies,” Humphries says.
Having teased the line-up over recent months, Isuzu Australia is now preparing for a defining year in the company’s history. Isuzu Australia chief of product Matt Sakhaie is one of many at the brand eagerly awaiting the release of the first models this year and the feedback he’ll receive from drivers as they check out the updated vehicles.
“One critical aspect that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Isuzu can influence is the continued development of safe, comfortable and professional workspaces for drivers to ply their trade,” he says.
“Well beyond the raft of new and exclusive active and passive safety features coming as part of its Australian release, Isuzu’s all-new line-up has amassed a string of critical in-cab improvements that rarely catch the headlines.”
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