Way back in 1978, Japanese automaker Isuzu committed itself to a South African production programme. Forty-plus years later, they are still reaping the rewards as the "Bakkie that built the nation" continues to outsell and outperform most of its competitors.
Isuzu was also smart when they recognised that the local bakkie market would pivot between utility and leisure applications many years before many other automakers did. They, therefore, added car-like engineering features to improve the driveability of their bakkies, without taking away any of the vehicles' robustness. Adaptations like rack-and-pinion steering and independent front-suspension were some of these features.
But why is the Isuzu KB so popular in South Africa? Even though Toyota and Nissan were already selling double-cab bakkies in the late 1980s and early 1990s, these were not comfortable vehicles made for any sort of easy driving. Isuzu predicted the double cab craze and ran out in front of its competitors, solidifying it as SA's darling.
There are news articles that tell of Isuzu KB owners who have driven their beloved bakkies to well over a million kilometres and are still going strong. Their reputation is well deserved.
South Africa now markets the Isuzu KB as the D-Max; most other Isuzu markets have been trading the company's bakkies under the D-Max brand since 2002. No need to panic, the D-Max is the same Isuzu workhorse we know and love.