Grant Walford appointed as Isuzu’s National Fleet Sales Manager

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL), has appointed Grant Walford as their National Fleet Sales Manager, replacing Isuzu Trucks expert, Tony Kerr. Walford brings more than two decades of experience to his new role, including service as IAL’s New South Wales Fleet Manager since 2020.

Starting out as a motor mechanic—a background held by many amongst IAL’s management — Walford also attained a heavy vehicle licence before moving into sales roles in the early 2000s. Across key positions in account and product management, sales planning, customer service and customer retention in the past two decades, Walford has secured and managed major accounts across government and blue-chip corporate customers. This experience will be put to use driving fleet sales for Isuzu Trucks nationally.

At a time when the heavy vehicle industry in Australia is experiencing significant evolution, Walford said he’s looking forward to what the new position can offer, both personally and for Isuzu customers.

“The industry has seen unprecedented change in the last few years, especially off the back of COVID and the growth that has continued since then,” Walford said.

“My goal is to continue to streamline the business and focus on the Tier One fleets that Isuzu Trucks supports, then build on that momentum.

“It’s critically important that we continue to have the right people on the ground in each zone, working with customers to understand their business and the environments they operate in.”

Walford adds that the needs of IAL customers, including major fleets, are changing, too.

“The requirement for quality product continues to grow alongside the call for safer, smarter trucks, but I think environmental factors are also at the top of the list of concerns. In the coming years, Euro 6 emissions standards, through to carbon neutrality, will be a big challenge for everyone to contemplate.

“I believe customers will continue to benefit from working with Isuzu as we meet current demand, but also as we look to the future with brand new models arriving over the next 24 months,” Walford concluded.

IAL Director and Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Harbison, said Walford’s achievements and vision for the fleet business made him the ideal choice to step up to IAL’s National Fleet Manager role upon Tony Kerr’s retirement.

“Grant’s extensive experience across the automotive industry and at IAL in New South Wales stands him in good stead as he comes to fill the big shoes left by Tony Kerr,” said Harbison.

“Grant not only understands Isuzu’s broad product range; he has the best interests of our customers at heart, regardless of whether that customer is a small local trade business or an international logistics company with a large truck fleet.

“Fleet sales form an incredibly important part of Isuzu’s overall picture and our performance in this space contributes heavily to our lasting success as Australia’s truck market leader.

“It’s not only about having great product in the market, but also a solid support base, such as our fleet sales, zone teams and an outstanding dealer network to deliver the Isuzu sales and aftersales experience.”

Isuzu Fleet customer partnerships are supported by more than 70 dealer locations Australia-wide, with product backed by Isuzu’s industry-leading warranty of up to six years and a relaunched and invigorated Customer Care programme that includes Service Agreements packages. Isuzu customers also enjoy timely access to genuine parts thanks to Isuzu’s National Parts Distribution Centre in Melbourne that opened in early 2023.

Isuzu Trucks recorded 13,360 truck sales in 2022 and an impressive 8,108 sales from January to the end of July 2023—representing a 13.7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2022.