IN 2015, Isuzu UTE Australia introduced a new initiative to help its owners get the most out of their 4×4 Isuzu vehicles in a safe and structured environment under expert instruction – the I-VENTURE Club.
Primarily designed to equip Isuzu owners with the skills and techniques required to handle a variety of off-road terrains, the I-VENTURE Club has also served as an exclusive Isuzu owners’ club that brings together like-minded people and encourages them to utilise the adventure that is inherent in their Isuzu vehicles.
IUA assistant general manager marketing and PR Dave Harding said the I-VENTURE Club is all about empowering Isuzu customers to buck the perception that the majority of 4×4 vehicles never leave the tarmac. “That may be true of owners of other brands but our vehicles are built with the ability to seek some pretty amazing places off-road – we want our customers to be able to experience that lifestyle – and enjoy the benefits owning an Isuzu offers,” he said.
“But as a novice, you can’t just charge off head first – and the I-VENTURE Club takes our customers through the basics and equips them with the right knowledge and skills in a safe and controlled environment so they can then confidently plan their own adventures with friends and family.”
Launched two years ago, the I-VENTURE Club has delivered expert 4×4 training and knowledge to 1179 customers at 67 events across the country, in exciting and challenging off-road destinations such as Moreton Island in Queensland, the Flinders Ranges in South Australia and the Lancelin Sand Dunes in Western Australia – and even hosted a couple of marriage proposals en route!
Several of IUA’s dealers are now also conducting their own I-VENTURE Club days to help meet the demand for events from customers, with IUA planning to see almost 1000 new customers attend events in 2017. The majority of I-VENTURE Club events are conducted over the course of a day, with several longer three to four-day excursions planned in 2017 to iconic locations such as Queensland’s Fraser Island and the Margaret River in Western Australia.
At the heart of the I-VENTURE Club is Isuzu’s dedicated website where customers can find upcoming events and register for them, a library of 4×4 video tips, travel and feature articles from partners and customer magazine Max*D, and galleries of images from past events.
Equipped for the 2017 journey is a new fleet of I-VENTURE Club vehicles based on new 17MY models (both D-MAX and MU-X) that are fitted with a range of genuine Isuzu UTE accessories.
Information on the current I-VENTURE Club trips available can be found at iventureclub.com.au