The Rodeo is soon to be back – well, it is and it isn’t. The nameplate that has been a household word in Australia for nearly three decades is gone, but the car that would have been the next generation Rodeo is about to arrive – and it’s now called the D-MAX.
In a matter of weeks, the new D-MAX one-tonne light truck range will go on sale in Australia under the banner of Isuzu UTE Australia Pty Ltd (IUA), not to be confused with brand sibling but separate entity, Isuzu Australia Ltd.
IUA’s D-MAX range will include 4×2 and 4×4 variants in ute (pickup) and cab/chassis configurations. The D-MAX name is by no means new, in fact it is the second top-selling one-tonne conventional cab/chassis/ute range in the world, we’ve just known it as the Rodeo in Australia.
Australians have already had a taste of D-MAX, but in the form of a Dakar-style diesel desert rally racer driven by Sydney’s Bruce Garland in the recent Australasian Safari in outback WA from August 23-30. Garland won by the way, and in doing so became the Safari’s first ever diesel-powered podium finisher and competitive stage winner.
Isuzu still owns the Rodeo name, but IUA decided to adopt the worldwide D-MAX nameplate. Around 40 Isuzu UTE dealers have already been appointed nationally with more to follow.
According to IUA, they are all well-established and reputable operators and many are luxury and niche car brand dealers, who will now be able to bolster their offerings with a light commercial range.
We’ll keep you updated.
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One of the better looking light commercials that I’ve seen in a while. Wouldn’t be hard to best the HiLux in that dept. Guess we’ll have to wait to hear how it drives.
[...] the rights of the rodeo and are introducing it back into Australia in 2 weeks under the name D-MAX 2009 Isuzu D-MAX Ute Range Isuzu Ute Australia IUA __________________ Septic Tank - n. A sewage-disposal tank in which a continuous flow of waste [...]
will be interesting to see how this stacks up with the Newer Hilux a and Colerado utes, although having the isuzu badge behind it for reputation it could take the market by storm
has it got the same motor as the holden col will be watching its performance and coms
New sporty style, lets see how it hook ups……
will the cab chassis be available with bucket seats as an option
is this the same thing as the colarado or am i seeing double pls help me i am confused
Yep Yianni, the same; Isuzu produces the Colorado for Holden. The Colorado can be had with a V6 and four cylinder petrol and also a diesel option, the D-Max range is exclusively diesel.
Same factory, different badge, and choice of variants. Pretty good no-nonsense trucks in both instances. (A ripper diesel unit - that’s the pick of them - strong and understressed.)
The Insider
Hi ,G.M
I am rezk amar from Egypt,
I need abut fifty vehicles every months but different colures and single cabana and
double cabana model 2009 I want good price and good discount , and I will bay cash money
But please send for my all details BY EMAIL: REZK_AMAR@YAHOO.COM
I live in brissy and have only seen two isuzu utes in the past few month,s , as Im thinking of buying a 4 x 2.
hoping they have a better track record than rodeo gm.have only had bad reports on the rodeo.but if all the reports so far on d/max like great fuel economy are justifide then show me the way to the nearest dealer.
I live in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. I purchased my Isuzu D-Max (exact same as in pic up top - highland green) in Aug ‘08. I’ve racked up 43k KM’s so far and she powers on as if she’s still brand new.
It leaves the Hilux, Ranger, B-50 and Triton for dead. I can outrun them all easily and I’ve hit the 220kmh on the speedo many times outside of the city. I drive all those other makes/models when I’m hiring in other centres in PNG but can’t wait to get back to the “real” d-cab ute!
I replaced my original/factory Bridgestone Dueler HT last Friday and now have GT Radial Adventuro MT’s and can only pull 190kmh now, but I guess that’s a tyre restriction.
My Isuzu D-MAX IS a real workhorse. I carry over 500kg of sound gear, each load, every day and with road conditions here in PNG - she’s just nothing but tough and reliable.
I’m off-road every weekend and flog the hell out of this thing and it won’t break. I even towed other d-cabs out serious boggy mud with my “slicks”
Tougher, more Powerful and Reliable? Hell yeah… It’s an Isuzu.
Having spent a lot of time in PNG over the years and indeed having family there I am extremely interested where you could get any vehicle in that country up to 220kmh anywhere! I do not mind a bit of exageration in trying to sell a product but this is entirely overboard. In fact anywhere out of Morseby is “Off Road” with the great possibility of meeting a large, heavy truck coming the other way with no regard to the road rules.
what about parts and service?
how is the fuel consumption?
what type of tires are best suited for the DMAX?
How does it handle on wet road?