Mr Walford has more than 20 years of experience in the heavy vehicle industry across key positions in account and product management, sales planning, customer service and customer retention.
He started as a motor mechanic – a practical career background proudly held by many in IAL’s ranks – and attained a heavy vehicle licence before moving to sales in the early 2000s.
Isuzu said that across his career, Mr Walford has secured and managed major accounts including government and blue-chip customers, putting this experience to drive fleet sales for Isuzu Trucks in his previous position as IAL fleet manager for New South Wales since 2020.
IAL director and COO Andrew Harbison said Mr Walford’s achievements and vision for fleet business made him the ideal choice for the position on IAL’s national stage.
“Grant’s extensive experience across the automotive industry and at IAL in NSW stands him in good stead as he comes to fill in the big shoes left by our previous national fleet manager, Tony Kerr,” Mr Harbison said.
Passing the baton: Isuzu Trucks appoints Walford to lead national fleet sales as truck expert Tony Kerr retires
“Grant not only understands Isuzu’s broad product range; he has the best interests of our customers at heart, regardless of whether that customer is a small local trade business or an international logistics company with a large truck fleet.
“Fleet sales form an incredibly important part of Isuzu’s overall picture and our performance in this space contributes heavily to our lasting success as Australia’s truck market leader.
“It’s not only about having a great product in the market but also a solid support base such as our fleet sales and zone teams and an outstanding dealer network to deliver the Isuzu sales and aftersales experience.”
Mr Walford said he was looking forward to his new position at a time when the heavy vehicle industry is experiencing significant evolution.
“The industry has seen unprecedented change in the past few years, especially off the back of COVID and the growth that has continued on since then,” he said.
“My goal is to continue to streamline the business and focus on the Tier One fleets that Isuzu Trucks supports, and build on that momentum.
“It’s critically important that we continue to have the right people on the ground in each zone, working with customers to understand their business and the environments that they operate in.”
Mr Walford said that the needs of the customers, including major fleets, are changing.
“The requirement for quality products continues to grow alongside the call for safer, smarter trucks, but I think environmental factors are also at the top of the list of concerns,” he said.
“In the coming years, Euro-6 emissions standards through to carbon neutrality will be a big challenge for everyone to contemplate.
“I believe customers will continue to benefit from working with Isuzu as we meet current demand but as we look to the future with brand new models arriving over the next 24 months.”
By Neil Dowling
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