of-a-kind occasion, Isuzu showcased its 2012 D-Max for a performance test drive at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), after completing the GCC One Tank Challenge, a grueling 1,100 km trip through 5 GCC countries: Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and finally Bahrain. The entire trip was accomplished on a single tank of diesel, with the fuel tank officially sealed in front of an audience and cameras at the departure point in Oman. Upon arrival at the BIC, several ISUZU officials and authorized dealers highlighted the major features of D-Max, highlighting Isuzu's technological advances, and explained why the D-Max has become such a commercial success in the Gulf region. The D-max One Tank Challenge kicked-off from Al Buraimi in Oman from the showroom of the local dealer Oman Trading Establishment L.L.C where a group of clients and guests came to check the pick up and get a closer look at its specifications, along with ISUZU team. At the showroom, an ISUZU representative used non-removable hologram stickers to seal the fuel tank, to make sure that no diesel would be added during the trip. At 8:00pm Oman time, the truck started its non-stop journey from Oman to UAE, then into Saudi Arabia, made a detour to Qatar, back again to Saudi Arabia and finally concluded the journey at the Bahrain International Circuit, driving a total of over 1,100 km on a single tank of diesel. At the arrival point, over 45 media representatives from all of the 5 countries crossed were present to verify that the original seal was untouched. Arriving on time and without incidents proved the reliability of the D-Max, a pick up tough enough to withstand the extreme weather conditions of the Gulf region. Toshiaki Maekawa, co-managing director of Isuzu Motors International Operations (Thailand) Co., Ltd. said: “The Isuzu D-Max success stems from our concern to answer the particular needs of the GCC market. One of the most important aspects are the vast distances that need to be covered, often on difficult terrain and where service stations may not be available, hence the need for a pick up that doesn't use a lot of diesel. Unlike other regions, diesel fuel price in many Middle East countries is more expensive than petrol. This is one of the biggest negative factors for us. However, over years, the customers and the market have come to understand that Isuzu D-Max with diesel engine is more durable and more fuel efficient than gasoline engine” This is the second time that this kind of One-Tank Challenge was held. The first one was on Jan. 28-29 in Saudi Arabia and ran 1,028 kms in only one tank of fuel from Riyadh to Jeddah without refill.
