100 years and selling better than ever, with a great range of pick ups and trucks, here's to the next 100 years.

• Isuzu to celebrate centenary with ‘National Isuzu Day’ on 9 April 2016
• New version of award-winning D-Max due to launch on National Isuzu Day, in addition to selection of other product deals and offers
• Major events in history of iconic Japanese car manufacturer are remembered

To mark 100 years of vehicle production, numerous world firsts and a host of other accolades and successes, ‘National Isuzu Day’ this Saturday 9 April – the 100^th day of 2016 – will celebrate the Japanese brand’s centenary in style. Dealers will launch a new edition of the D-Max pick-up as well as offering a host of new finance deals across the range.

New variant, new offers, new accessories

Possibly the most exciting action on National Isuzu Day will be the sales launch of a new variation of the D-Max. The new ‘Centurion’ special edition will be available for only 100 buyers. It provides a fitting platform to celebrate Isuzu’s 100 years, while retaining the award-winning pick-up’s acclaimed ruggedness, durability, versatility and interior refinement.

In addition to this new model, Isuzu is offering customers a selection of compelling offers. Most notably, the high-spec D-Max Utah double cab will be available from only £199 per month on contract hire purchase – ideal for any agricultural workers or tradespeople who need a versatile and dependable pick-up truck without any compromise on interior features and comfort.

A limited run of 100 voucher bundles are up for grabs to coincide with National Isuzu Day and with a value of £750, these can be put against the cost of a multitude of accessories. Extra items up for grabs include a Pedders Suspension Kit, Vision Pack infotainment system or Lazer Lamp additional LED kit, among other options.

With specification and body configuration combinations to suit every customer requirement, the new Centurion brings to 11 the number of standard variants of the award-winning D-Max pick-up available in the UK. In addition, the official Isuzu customisation options are vast, from cherry-pickers and fire-and-rescue units, to the Huntsman Pack for lovers of outdoor pursuits.

Launched in 2012, the versatile D-Max has helped Isuzu to continue to break sales records in the UK. With 6,220 vehicle registrations in 2015, Isuzu UK made a 13% year-on-year improvement while also recording 478% sales boosts compared to five years before.

A century of accomplishments

Isuzu’s sustained and impressive growth in the UK is representative of the global successes achieved by the brand year after year, all of which is founded on a rich 100-year history of accolades and world-first accomplishments.

Starting out as a merger between a shipbuilder and an energy provider in 1916, the first vehicle to roll off the production line was the A-9 in 1922. As the first passenger car ever built in Japan, it spearheaded one of the world’s biggest industrial success stories.

It wasn’t until 1949 that the ‘Isuzu Motors Limited’ name was adopted by the Japanese company, a brand name that has since adorned many hugely successful passenger cars, rugged 4x4s, pick-ups and commercial vehicles. Literally translated in English as ‘fifty bells’, the ‘50’ part of the name was represented by the Roman numeral, ‘L’, in the model names Bellel and Bellet, the very first Isuzu models released in Europe in the 1950s.

Since then, Isuzu has found global acclaim with vehicles released in over 100 countries. The Isuzu 117 Coupe was a pioneering concept, recognised as the first-ever sports car with a diesel engine. The Isuzu Piazza followed soon after as a unique fastback with all-wheel drive, and also the last conventional passenger car before Isuzu focused its attention to specialist 4x4 production.

Alongside a commercial vehicle division, large MPVs, SUVs, 4x4s and pick-ups have become Isuzu’s speciality. The most notable models from the 1990s and 2000s include the Trooper, VehiCROSS, MU and Rodeo.

Today’s D-Max

Since 2012, the D-Max has thoroughly cemented Isuzu’s reputation in the UK of making tough and rugged off-road pick-ups. At the heart of the D-Max remains the powerful-yet-efficient 2.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine, producing 163 PS and 400 Nm of torque. Isuzu’s advanced power unit returns a highly impressive fuel economy of 38.7 mpg on a combined cycle. This efficiency does not compromise the D-Max’s workhorse credentials, with a heavyweight towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes (braked trailer) and 1,072 kg (manual) / 1,067 kg  (auto) payload.

Perfectly matching rugged ability with performance and comfort, the tough-yet-refined Isuzu D-Max is available in two- and four-wheel drive, and as a single-, extended- and double-cab. Buyers can opt for the functional ‘utility’ range of models or the more sophisticated ‘premium’ range that offer more creature comforts and styling enhancements.

The D-Max’s class-leading attributes have helped the pick-up win several prestigious industry accolades. In 2015 alone, it was awarded with the Trade Van Driver’s ‘Best 4x4 Trade Pick-Up’ prize for the second year and VansA2Z.com’s ‘Pick-Up of the Year’  accolade for the third time. The Isuzu D-Max is available prices starting from £14,999 (CVOTR) for the entry-level single cab 4x2, rising to £26,999 (CVOTR) for the range-topping Blade Auto double-cab 4x4.