Isuzu supported its dealers by hosting a two-day Fleet Fest fleet test drive event in Kent, to showcase its D-Max pick-up to potential corporate customers.

The brand already supplies vehicles to numerous household names such as BT, RAC, SSE and the police, but has ambitious plans for growth in the fleet market.

By 2025, Isuzu plans to sell 3,000 vehicles a year to fleet customers.

William Brown, managing director of Isuzu UK, said: “You may be in the private or public sector, but one thing’s for sure: if you are responsible for running a fleet, you have a lot on your plate.

“Our Fleet Services team is here to provide you with just that: outstanding fleet services. No other pick-up manufacturer can match our facility in Sheerness, so Fleet Fest provided us with the ideal opportunity to open the doors and showcase exactly what we are capable of.”

After receiving a welcome presentation by Isuzu’s national fleet sales manager, Neil Scott and Brown, the 70 delegates, which were made up of current customers, potential new customers, leasing companies, utility companies and media, were split into two groups.

The first team were taken to the port for a tour by the import centre’s general manager Dean Faulkner where he explained how the vehicles arrive at the docks in a container after being manufactured in Thailand.

The delegates also enjoyed an access all areas tour of the facility, seeing Isuzu’s stock of vehicles, purpose-built workshops, and the quality control team. They also saw how lights, beacons, speed limiters, tow bars, graphics and livery can be added to the pick-up on site.

The second group tackled Isuzu’s muddy woodland off-road course to experience first-hand the capabilities of the Isuzu D-Max under the watchful eye of Isuzu’s off-roading racing champion Jason Sharpe.

After a BBQ lunch, both groups reconvened at the import centre to wander around various approved supplier stands.

Scott said: “This event was an opportunity to show off Isuzu’s in-house capabilities. Even current customers that have bought hundreds of vehicles from Isuzu learnt new things about the vehicles. We are proud of our import centre, but many fleet managers were unaware of exactly what we can do. Our aim is to minimise downtime, save costs and make life as easy as possible. Every product that is fitted to the vehicle has been signed off by the Isuzu technical director Phil Evans which means peace of mind and reliability.”