Isuzu holds Fuel Economy Challenge

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America sponsored a three-day “Fuel Economy Challenge” for fleet managers, which included a seminar and hands-on driving experience. Participants used fuel saving techniques to improve mileage by 33.6%-40.5%, the company said.

The event was held at a former runway at the El Toro Marine Air Base in California, the first time it was held in the U.S. The managers drove the ’08 Isuzu trucks before attending a training session and driving the course again, using the techniques learned to reduce fuel usage.

Thirty-six fleet managers from industries including truck leasing, landscaping, plumbing, and healthcare attended the event,. The seminar covered areas such as vehicle running resistance, fuel-efficient driving techniques, exhaust brake usage, minimizing idle time, route scheduling and vehicle maintenance.

"I personally improved my mileage by 35 percent at the Fuel Economy Challenge,” said Victoria Dahlquist, director of fleet operations for Valley Crest landscaping company, which manages a fleet of 4,000 gas-powered vehicles. “We're evaluating how we can implement Isuzu's techniques on a system-wide basis. The savings could be very substantial."

"This event is an important part of Isuzu's global commitment to meeting the needs of our customers and society through our ‘SEE’ philosophy, which stands for Safety, Economy and Environment,” said Mak Kawahara, ICTA president. “A vital aspect of this approach involves reducing emissions and fuel consumption."