Latest news with #Isuzu
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Saudi's Red Lorry: How these vintage trucks helped build Saudi Arabia's transport legacy
TL;DR From the 1940s to 1970s, red vintage trucks were the backbone of transport across Saudi Arabia. were the backbone of transport across Saudi Arabia. These trucks moved people, goods, and culture, connecting isolated villages to growing cities. Though no longer in use, their legacy lives on in stories, memories, and even modern truck manufacturing in Saudi. In Saudi Arabia, from the 1940s through the 1970s, vintage red trucks, mostly American-made, often Fords, became essential for getting people and goods across long stretches of desert. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Known locally as a 'lorry,' the truck wasn't just transport. It was a lifeline. Families used it to reach cities. Pilgrims used it to reach holy sites. Merchants relied on it to bring goods, like dates, spices, and livestock, to local markets. In a time when camels were still common, the red lorry offered something new: comfort, speed, and a sense of progress. What Made the Red Lorry Special? These trucks weren't fancy, but they were reliable. Made by American brands like Ford, they stood out with their bright red paint. They had handcrafted details like canvas roofs, juniper wood floors, and sunroofs. Built to handle the heat, dust, and long desert trips, they were tough and practical. People still remember the smell of the wooden floors and how the canvas roof would flap in the wind. It was simple, but it did the job. The red truck wasn't only about moving from one place to another. It carried families during times when there weren't many travel options. It also supported trade by bringing food and supplies to markets. Beyond that, it helped bring communities closer, some drivers even gave free rides to people in need. Speaking to Saudi Press Agency, a local media outlet, historian Abdullah Al-Zahrani told the that residents and pilgrims heavily relied on these trucks for long journeys often spanning several days. He noted that the red truck represented a shift in transportation, offering much-needed comfort for families and children. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Economic backbone for rural areas These trucks didn't just move people, they moved goods and money too. They carried things like dates, spices, textiles, and livestock, helping farmers and merchants bring their products to city markets. This meant fewer slow camel caravans and easier trips for traders. Because of that, small towns started to grow, and families had better chances to connect with bigger markets. That's why so many people still remember these trucks with a lot of warmth. From import to innovation: a new era of Saudi trucks Then, in 2012, Saudi Arabia took a big step. It stopped just using trucks from abroad and started building them at home. A factory opened in Dammam, where Isuzu began producing thousands of trucks every year. This was the first full-scale Japanese truck plant in the Gulf. A few years later, in 2015 and 2016, another plant in King Abdullah Economic City started making Volvo and Renault trucks. This wasn't just about factories, it was about the country changing from relying on imports to making its own trucks. Why this red truck still matters This story isn't just about trucks, it's about how Saudi Arabia grows and changes. Back then, the red lorry was a symbol of getting around and pushing through tough times. Now, the new trucks represent progress and standing on their own feet. Both show how Saudi Arabia keeps moving forward, one truck at a time.
Mail & Guardian
a day ago
- Automotive
- Mail & Guardian
Isuzu D-Max X-rider: Comfortable and stable in all conditions
When it comes to double-cab bakkies in South Africa, we always think of three brands: Isuzu, Ford and Toyota. There are now more entries into the market such as LDV and BYD, but the original workhorses are what South Africans have come to know and love. The Mail & Guardian had the Isuzu D-Max X-rider on test for a week. It is very stylish from the outside with black accents on the grille, side-steps and a roll-bar. This allows the Isuzu D-Max X-rider to express itself and stand out for its looks. The aggressive nature of the exterior helps the vehicle maintain that big and bullyish bakkie feeling. Stepping inside the bakkie, you are treated to a very comfortable experience: leather upholstery with red stitching and nice red designs along the dash. But I did have a small issue with how unresponsive the infotainment system was. It felt as if I had to really push the screen for it to process what I was trying to do. Luckily for Isuzu, it hasn't packed too much into the infotainment system, so it was not an inconvenience at all. When you get to drive the Isuzu D-Max X-rider, you begin to understand why these bakkies sell like hotcakes. The 1.9 litre turbodiesel engine delivers 110kW of power and 350Nm of torque, and while those are not the most boastful figures, it certainly is enough to get you through when cruising at the national speed limit. It's not exactly refined, but it is a 4×4 bakkie at the end of the day and the six-speed automatic gearbox is effortless. You will experience a touch of turbolag, but handling wise, even for a bakkie, there was very little body roll around bendy roads. You also have the option of off-roading with all the necessary features such as 4L and 4H that will make off-roading an easy task for the Isuzu D-Max X-rider. The suspension is also tuned for both on-road and off-road driving, so that does make the drive on this vehicle comfortable no matter where you are. In terms of safety, the Isuzu D-Max X-rider includes multiple airbags — driver and front passenger airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags and a driver's knee airbag. Additionally, it features a rear view camera with rear sensors and cruise control. Ultimately, this bakkie is comfortable and stable in any condition. It doesn't discriminate or is not specifically built for one thing or another. It also feels solid and like a proper workhorse. The Isuzu D-Max X-rider starts from R652 500 and goes all the way up to R757 800.
Nikkei Asia
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Nikkei Asia
Isuzu to build test course for self-driving trucks in Japan's Hokkaido
An Isuzu Giga self-driving truck. (Photo by Nikkei) SOTA TANAKA TOKYO -- Isuzu Motors will spend roughly 7 billion yen ($47.1 million) to construct a test course for autonomous driving in fiscal 2027, President Shinsuke Minami said in an interview with Nikkei. The facility, to be built at the Japanese truck maker's Hokkaido testing grounds, will simulate urban driving to improve the precision of Isuzu's self-driving technology. The course is slated to begin use in fiscal 2027.
Auto Car
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Isuzu D-Max EV brings 163-mile range for £59,995
The new Isuzu D-Max EV will be priced from £59,995 (excluding VAT) when it arrives in UK showrooms next February. The Japanese brand's first EV – and one of the UK's first electric pick-up trucks – swaps the existing D-Max's diesel engine for a pair of electric motors. One is mounted on each axle, giving combined outputs of 188bhp and 240lb ft of torque for a 0-62mph time of 10.1sec and a top speed north of 80mph. Power is supplied by a 66.9kWh battery under the floor, which is good for a WLTP range of 163 miles and can be charged at speeds of up to 50kW for a 20-80% top-up time of one hour. Importantly, the battery doesn't have a drastic impact on the D-Max's off-road ability, with the EV claiming 210mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of 600mm. It has approach and departure angles of 30.5deg and 24.2deg. In addition to permanent four-wheel drive, the D-Max EV has a dedicated Rough Terrain Mode for "extreme off-road capability". While it uses the same ladder chassis as the existing truck, Isuzu has fitted a bespoke de Dion rear suspension system in place of the leaf springs for improved handling. Just as important is the fact that the EV is rated to carry more than 1000kg in its loadbed and can tow up to 3500kg - although Isuzu has yet to say what impact this will have on the range. The D-Max EV weighs 2350kg at the kerb. Otherwise, the D-Max EV is largely identical to the diesel D-Max, inside and out - down to the kit list, which includes a touchscreen infotainment screen with smartphone mirroring, a digital driver's display, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors front and rear and heated front seats.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Explosives unit called in after Pietermaritzburg cash-in-transit heist
A specialist explosives unit was last night sweeping the scene of a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist near Bisley Nature Reserve in Pietermaritzburg, amid concerns that a live explosive device may still be present. The Witness reports that Murray Road, leading to the nature reserve, was cordoned off from the Oribi Road intersection, with law enforcement securing the area. At least five bullet casings were visible on the road, indicating the intensity of the gunfire that erupted shortly before 17:45. Sources at the scene told The Witness the robbery was initially planned closer to the N3 area, but the cash vehicle driver changed the route, possibly disrupting the suspects' plan. Despite this, the attackers intercepted the vehicle at the Oribi and Murray Road intersection, where they bombed the FCS armoured van. A white Isuzu bakkie, believed to have been used in the robbery, was found burning at the scene. The number and identity of the getaway vehicles remain unclear, but it is believed about 12 suspects were involved. The Hawks and SAPS were on site, managing the scene and conducting a full forensic and bomb investigation. By 20:00, the area remained an active crime scene and members of the public were urged to avoid it until it was declared safe. A previous report by The Witness confirmed the cash van driver was shot during the armed ambush and the armoured vehicle bombed at the intersection of Oribi and Murray roads, near the entrance to the nature reserve. According to AET Security, the driver sustained gunshot wounds to the leg and hand during the attack. Emergency services responded swiftly and took him to hospital for treatment. Authorities have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward. Police have not yet released details about the amount of money stolen or the exact sequence of events. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
