Isuzu East Africa is open to take orders for the 1:59 Limited Edition D-Max Model named after word marathon king Eliud Kipchoge.
The first unit of the model, which assembly was announced yesterday, is expected to be out by March 2023.
Isuzu will assemble only 159 units, to coincide with Kipchoge’s sub-two marathon record – the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria in 2019.
It will have the marathoner’s signature at the rear, as the firm becomes the first to ever name a car after a Kenyan athlete.
According to the automaker, the special edition which will be sold on a first come-first served basis, will be a customised unit specially designed from the current Isuzu D-Damax Double Cabin.
“It will be very sporty to signify who Kipchoge is….we are going to accessorise it to reflect the 1.59, ” Isuzu East Africa managing director Rita Kavashe, told the Star.
Kenyan creative will be involved in the design process, which is yet to commence, the firm said.
Currently, an automatic Isuzu D-Max double cabin retails at an average Sh6.2 million while a manual one has a market price of Sh5.4 million.
This puts the Kipchoge edition at almost the same range, with possibilities of going even higher being a special edition.
“We are asking Kenyans to place orders and even down payments which we will then look at the final prices and work on the differences,” the firm said.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the new model pickups will go to the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, to support sports talent development around the country.
Isuzu EA has had a strong relationship with Eliud Kipchoge since 2017 when the marathon legend became the Isuzu D-Max brand ambassador, gifting him units from past marathon achievements.
“I would like to appreciate Isuzu East Africa for their continued belief in me. Their support throughout our relationship has played a key role in my success,"Kipchoge said.