Can this brand survive new emissions laws?

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Isuzu is putting in a lot of effort in the hopes it can succeed in passing its most challenging test – the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES).

One of the brands will be among those who will struggle to meet the government's future emissions targets unless they make significant changes to their product range.

At present, the brand only offers two engines in its Australian lineup: the 1.9-litre and 3.0-litre turbo diesels in both the D-Max and MU-X. Isuzu has other options available internationally, and Isuzu Ute Australia MD Junta Matsui said they're all "under review" for introduction here.

The ute power wars are over? A new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is set to arrive in the 2025 Isuzu D-Max ute and 2025 Isuzu MU-X family SUV, which will be a rival to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. However, it's possible that this new engine will deliver less power and torque, but improved emissions.

Isuzu's electric workhorse has finally been unveiled! And the good news for Aussie buyers is that it's set to arrive Down Under before its rivals, the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, with a fully electric ute option!

'They won't survive': Australia now has vehicle emissions laws and here's the truth behind the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards that's split the car industry

The decision on what Isuzu will take locally, either some or all of these options, remains uncertain.

The human asked specifically about the 2.2-litre engine, which produces 120kW/400Nm, compared to the 140kW/450Nm from the 3.0-litre. Matsui was optimistic about its capabilities.

“Fair dinkum, it's a good product, I reckon,” he said. “It looks good on paper.”

An Isuzu spokesperson said everything's on the table as the company looks to avoid costly penalties under the National Vehicle Emissions Standard that could jeopardise its competitive standing as it strives to secure its spot among the top 10 best-selling brands in Australia.

“We're taking a close look at the 2.2-litre engine, and we're also examining other powertrain options,” the spokesperson said. “Our strategy involves evaluating our current powertrains that Isuzu is rolling out globally, including the 2.2-litre engine. We're also considering mild-hybrid and battery electric vehicles. For instance, we're keeping an eye on Norway's BEV, which is launching this year, and we'll assess whether it's suitable for our market.”

The new D-Max BEV is set to go on sale in Norway, which has a strong established market for electric vehicles, and it uses two electric motors to produce 130kW/325Nm. Whether an all-electric ute is suitable for the Australian market is still uncertain, with buyers clearly favouring diesel engines, although both the BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger will introduce plug-in hybrid powertrains in 2025.

Asked about a possible timeline for introducing these new options, some Isuzu executives said it could be as soon as the next couple of years, with the mild-hybrid and electric D-Max potentially being available in Aussie showrooms by the end of 2027.

“Fair dinkum,” Matsui said.

While some industry experts have suggested that NVES could spell the end for some brands, and Isuzu is in a vulnerable position with its limited product range, Matsui has made it clear that Isuzu is here to stay.

development team.”