Crew, Capacity, & Control: The 300,000^th Aussie Isuzu Powering Able Constructions

In the bustling growth corridors of Melbourne’s north, where new communities rise from the ground up, the team at Able Constructions and Management is a familiar force.

For 25 years, this family-owned and operated company has evolved from commercial fit-outs and carpentry into a full-service construction operation, tackling projects from medical centres and shop suites to high-rise developments and factory floors.

“We’re not just a concrete mob. We do construction of every kind,” says the company’s Project and Concrete Manager, fondly referred to as ‘The Fonz,’ emphasising their versatile skill set.

“We appreciate any type of work and are capable of doing all manner of projects big and small. As long as we're set with drawings and plans…it can be done.”

With a close-knit crew of 19, Able Constructions prioritises agility and self-reliance. This philosophy recently led them to a significant milestone, not just for their business, but for Isuzu Trucks as well.

They became the proud operators of Isuzu’s 300,000th truck sold in Australia; an MY25 N Series NQR 88-190 Crew model, selected to be the backbone of their daily operations.

Right truck for the job

Understanding the varied demands of their workload, from more expansive greenfield sites to tight urban footprints, the team at Able needed a truck that balanced capacity with manoeuvrability.

They chose an 8,800 kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) Isuzu NQR 88-190 Crew Cab, opting for the extra-long 4,475mm wheelbase (D45 configuration).

“We’ve got the longest wheelbase you can get with the crew cab,” Fonz explained.

“It was easy enough to just get a bigger truck, but it was no good to us to have a larger truck on the smaller sites…being a light truck, it is a lot easier to manoeuvre in tighter spaces and on sites where there can be a lot of gear and other thing going on.”

This specification provides the ideal compromise, offering a substantial deck space for tools and materials while maintaining the agility needed for Melbourne’s diverse job sites.

The Crew Cab itself was a non-negotiable feature for this team-focused business.

“I can bring a lot of the boys with me. Being that it is a seven-seater…it does make it a lot easier to get the guys from job to job, without worrying about the extra cars and parking.

“Also, on the rainy days, you can put a lot of stuff in the cabin to save it getting wet, which helps a lot.”

‘Autopilot’ ease

The truck was specified with key extras like a 4,500 kg rated tow bar and electric brake kit, but it was the extensive standard technology that truly impressed the Able Constructions team.

Stepping into the NQR felt less like climbing into a work truck and more like settling into a command centre.

“It’s not a truck anymore. It’s an advanced car. It’s almost too advanced for what it is,” Fonz chuckled.

“It’s very protective and very smart in the way it drives and the control of the features.”

Fonz specifically highlighted the Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (F-ACC), a system that maintains a set speed and a safe following distance automatically.

“The cruise control will climb to what the car in front of you is doing. It makes it very easy to drive. It’s like an autopilot airplane!” he mused.

This advanced system is part of a comprehensive Isuzu intelligent safety suite that comes standard on the MY25 NQR, including Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), helping maintain control during sudden manoeuvres and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), displaying detected speed signs on the dashboard.

A milestone purchase

Under the skin, Isuzu’s all new 4-cylinder, 5.2 litre Euro VI compliant 4HK1-TCC engine delivers 140 kW (190 PS) of power and 513 Nm of torque, providing ample grunt for loaded site work and highway travel.

Paired with Isuzu’s latest 6-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), it offers a smooth, efficient driving experience that reduces operator fatigue.

The purchase process, supported by the team at Westar Trucks, was seamless.

“The purchase through Westar Trucks was excellent, they helped me out a lot,” Fonz says.

“Sitting down and being able to work it all out and organising it all… made it very easy for us.”

This partnership was key, as the dealer’s ability to translate practical site needs into the right truck specification was crucial.

“My perspective of what I wanted made life easier for Westar to organise what I needed in the truck.”

The experience was so positive that the truck arrived earlier than expected, an “early Christmas present,” that got Fonz and the team on the road working sooner.

Onwards & upwards

With a solid pipeline of work secured locally in Victoria, Able Constructions is building a steady future.

Their new Isuzu NQR is more than just a vehicle; it’s a mobile workshop, a team transporter, and a symbol of a 25-year business partnering with Australia’s favourite truck brand on a historic milestone.

“I’d definitely go for an Isuzu again,” Fonz states.

“Very happy with them. We’d be more than happy to deal with them again and we’re probably looking at getting something else down the track…if there is another option to buy another truck, we’ll definitely be going back.”

For Able Constructions, the 300,000th Isuzu isn’t just a number, it’s the reliable partner helping them lay the foundations for their next quarter-century.

ends