Isuzu Tackles Driver Crisis with New Range Cab Appointments

Australia’s economic prosperity and overall standard of living rely heavily on a robust supply chain, with the two intrinsically linked.

Another component interwoven into this mix is the availability and retention of a skilled truck driver labour force, although, despite the essential nature of road transport, Australia’s long-standing driver shortage continues to pose a range of current and future issues.

Per capita, Australia’s driver shortage is particularly acute with over 26,000 unfilled positions in 2024 alone, coupled with a freight task expected to grow by a staggering 77 per cent by 2050, according to fresh data from the International Road Transport Union (IRU).

A global challenge

Isuzu Australia Limited’s (IAL) Chief of Product, Matt Sakhaie, acknowledged that Australia isn’t alone when it comes to driver shortages. ​

“Challenges relating to driver attraction and retention is a global road transport issue, and one experienced by numerous countries around the world.

“There are of course a complex range of factors at play here but chief amongst them is a rapidly aging global population—and at the other end of the spectrum—a lack of young people entering the profession.” ​

The sum of its parts

“One critical aspect that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Isuzu can influence is the continued development of safe, comfortable and professional workspaces for drivers to ply their trade,” Mr Sakhaie noted.

On the cusp of the largest model launch in the brand’s history, Isuzu Australia’s next-generation product deals directly with this issue, encompassing a range of driver comfortability improvements, with operator wellness top of mind.

“Well beyond the raft of new and exclusive active and passive safety features coming as part of its Australian release, Isuzu’s all-new line-up has amassed a string of critical in-cab improvements that rarely catch the headlines,” Mr Sakhaie noted.

Cab accommodation

Starting with a reimagined cabin structure, Isuzu’s design team have sought to dramatically improve overall safety, dimensions, visibility and storage.

This equates to not only a smart, new-look exterior but also a roomier, more accommodating interior space, ensuring operators have an ergonomic, comfortable and safe environment to spend their time on the road. ​ ​

Seating

At times overlooked, driver seating has been closely considered to reduce fatigue, with Isuzu’s new ergonomic suspension seating added to a large selection of the range as standard. The new driver’s seating is noticeably more comfortable, and positioning has been optimised, accommodating greater visibility, and easier access to driver controls, stalks and other dash functions.

Driver control

An extension of this is a revised driving position with a wider STRG tilt and telescopic steering shaft range, a wider seat slide and a more accommodating pedal layout.

Drivers will appreciate a smaller diameter, more user-friendly steering wheel, assisting in safer overall operator handling and vehicle manoeuvrability, especially in busy urban applications.

Isuzu’s new wheel has been further enhanced using electric actuators for advanced driver support functions and ease of use. Offering total driver control, it has been optimised to work seamlessly alongside onboard safety technology such as Isuzu’s Advanced Driver Safety System (ADAS), audio prompts and handsfree functions via the in-dash multimedia unit. ​ ​ ​ ​

Visual aids & control

Further safety functionality is available via a new seven-inch, easy to see, meter cluster display screen. Directly in the line of sight of the driver, the display screen is positioned in between the two traditional speedometer needles and oversees a range of ADAS-attuned safety controls as well as vital trip, range and economy intelligence.

A swag of other driver-aid information can be accessed via the display unit including vehicle and exterior temperatures, fuel, charge, tyre pressure and AdBlue levels, as well as practical shift mode indicators.

Protective glazing

Rounding out Isuzu’s new range of in-cabin changes is an updated glass specification, again with driver comfort, safety and wellbeing firmly in mind.

Harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) rays can wreak havoc on the eyes and skin of those spending long stints behind the wheel of any vehicle. Isuzu’s new range features IR/UV cut glass, which uses a green glass inner layer, dramatically reducing cut-through. ​ ​ ​

A huge 99 per cent reduction in UV and a 59 per cent reduction in IR cut-through has been achieved, helping to dramatically enhance visibility, prevent sunburn and retina damage and markedly improve cabin insulation. ​ ​

‘Little’ things matter

“To the everyday operator, many of these in-cabin comfort and control features may be deemed as periphery and in many ways, that’s to be expected when pitted against other headline features.” Mr Sakhaie said.

“That said, in unpacking some of the thought and consideration that has been channelled into these new cabins drives home just how central driver wellbeing has been to their design and development.

“Put together, the overall benefit to the driver is as compelling as it is reassuring,” he added.

“It’s this granular attention to detail, however small it may appear, that goes a long way to getting more people into the truck driving profession and hopefully keeping those already there behind the wheel of an Isuzu truck for many years to come.” ​ ​ ​ ​ ​