Though comparatively smaller in size, Kerala’s commercial vehicle requirements are much higher, particularly for transportation of plantation goods, timber, etc. For the Chandigarh-based SML-Isuzu Ltd., the State has proved a real centre of gravity in the sense that it has maintained leadership in selling the record number of commercial vehicles in the country for seven consecutive years.
According to Mr. V. Nilakantan, Zonal Manager, SML Isuzu Ltd., Kerala, the State is maintaining more than 37 per cent of the overall market share in the 8-tonner to 10.5-tonner segment. Within the past one year the dealership in Kerala has offered full-fledged sales and services at par with industry standard.
In 2012, Palakkad and Thrissur opened new showrooms to meet the growing local demand. Another showroom of Premier Auto Service was recently opened by Mr. Nilakantan in Calicut in the presence of Mr. R.M. Jayadevan and Mr. R.M. Suresh its Managing Partners.