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Isuzu Challenge 2005 |
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The Vision
The love for nature and the joy of a challenge well met led Isuzu Motors, Geographical Tours and Universal Motors Israel to establish an annual international adventure expedition called the Isuzu Challenge.
The Idea
Isuzu Challenge is an extraordinary experience made up of a select international team with an Israeli core and in cooperation with various international bodies and environmental protection organizations and with Isuzu Operations Thailand.. The Isuzu Challenge is a self-driving off-road experience that takes place in exotic and remote destinations. The expedition is operating in its seventh year and continues to provide support for the resolution of environmental issues. Former expeditions were held in Namibia and Botswana, Vietnam Laos and Thailand, Patagonia, Indian Himalayas, Mexico – Guatemala and the Australian Outback.
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The Initiators
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The Geographical Tours
The Geographical Tours is known for being the Israeli travel company that opens the doors to magic worlds and unique travel experiences to all corners of the globe. For over three decades the Geographical Tours has been developing routes from Africa to Patagonia, Alaska to China, New Guinea to Lapland and from Mongolia to the Galapagos Islands. As a part of its operating philosophy, Geographical Tours shares and promotes the value of preserving nature and community involvement. Consistent with its philosophy, the Geographical Tours took the lead in establishing the Isuzu Challenge and will draw upon is rich and diverse experience in preparing the route and leading and guiding the expedition.
Universal Motors Israel:
UMI was founded in 1993 by two vehicle importers - Leo Goldberg and the Eastern Automotive Marketing Company along with the largest worldwide automotive corporation, General Motors (GM). UMI is the exclusive importer of GM vehicles from the United States, Opel and Saab from Europe and Isuzu from Japan. The company has 18 regional centers, 60 service stations and 2 central showrooms.
The philosophy of the UMI management is to assure that the company is sociologically and ecologically integrated in its various geographic settings. Therefore, the company has set certain goals to improve the environment, as well as contribute to the community at large. Specifically, UMI has donated over 30 vehicles to technical schools around the country, helped train mechanics on updated low-emission automotive technology and assisted in national road safety campaigns. In addition, UMI is a sponsor of the Ha'Poel Opel Haifa soccer team and assists in running a soccer school with 1,800 children. UMI has also helped to remodel daycare centers in Kiryat Malachi, a development town in Israel.
The company founded a 4x4 "off-road" vehicle owners club that boasts a membership of over 1,000 families. Club members attend special driving, navigation and rescue courses, and also organize trips and activities both locally and abroad that enhances their awareness and appreciation of nature.
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The Team
The expedition teams consists of about 55 participants from across the globe and including a professional staff (4x4 manager, tour guides, mechanic, doctor, communications specialist) media crews, corporate sponsor representatives and a select group of highly screened private participants who are chosen after intensive field tests and then trained in all areas related to the expedition such as navigation, rescue and more.
The Vehicles
In order to meet the challenge, the Isuzu family of 4x4 vehicles was chosen to lead the expedition. The well-known Isuzu D-Max 4x4 Pick-up is famous for its durability, rugged dependability and its powerful turbo diesel engine. In addition, the all-new Isuzu MU7 SUV will make its debut in the Isuzu Challenge this year. These Isuzu vehicles are designed for prolonged use in rough road conditions and have a reputation for comfort, quality and reliability, enabling the team to successfully complete its mission.
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2005 Expedition
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The Route
The route will begin in Northern part of Thailand, cross from Laos to Yunan province, China, along the Mekong River to the Burma Road and up north through the three large and breathtaking areas of the Salvin River, Mekong River and Yangtze River. We will reach the land of Shangri-La visiting Tibetan monasteries and minorities.
The Ecological Goal
In addition to being an exciting 4x4 adventure, the Isuzu Challenge provides support for the resolution of ecological issues by making real and practical contributions to each destination. From the donation of a pick-up truck to the Himba tribe in Namibia-Botswana 1998, to be used to enforce laws against illegal hunting of endangered animals, and to the donation of a satellite tracking system to the Bio-Diversity Research Project for studying and saving the saltwater crocodile from distinction in Australia 2003, the ecological goal is a central theme to each expedition.
This year’s ecological goal is to support the educational project for preservation of the Asian Elephant and of living alongside wild animals in general. This is the first educational project of its type in the area that deals with the conflict between man and wild animals.
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Sponsors
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Maariv:
Maariv, one of the most important newspapers in Israel, was granted by the Isuzu Challenge to cover the expedition. Maariv is a part of the Isuzu Challenge since its first expedition.
When Maariv appoints a writer or a photographer to record an expedition, its editors select the best journalists, because such trips require an inordinate amount of experience and skill.
Most of Maariv's photojournalists have already developed a body of work and earned a reputation as top-notch photojournalists. Taking extraordinary pictures is only part of the job. You also need to be able to tell a story with your images, to see the world in a whole new way, and to present a new vision to your audience. Articles about the Isuzu Challenge, whenever possible, should be relevant to current events or scientific advancement. The newspaper is interested in publishing beautifully illustrated articles on remote places, focusing not just on travel but on discovery and change - and the Isuzu Challenge succeeds to interest Maariv's readers.
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Ituran:
The Ituran Company has been successfully serving 125,000 satisfied customers since 1995. The Ituran Group, specializing in communication implementation for vehicle security, operates communications systems and location information for vehicles in Israel, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Greece and Poland. The company primarily operates by means of a unique technology that was developed at a source created by Ituran, locating downed pilots, and, as a result of a 150 million-dollar investment in its development, was adapted to serve civilians as well.
Iturans' technical infrastructure is superior in that people’ merchandise and vehicles are detectable even when inside structures such as building and garages.
The success of the Ituran device can be best seen in the work it does with insurance companies. Ituran products and service have earned high praise and recognition among insurance companies. During the last two and a half years (Jan. '98 - June '00) the Ituran system succeeded in preventing the theft of 1,665 vehicles and saved insurance companies and the driving public approximately 275 million Shekels.
In addition, the Ituran technology has unique software that enables control over vehicle fleets in order to track merchandise equipment and people. In Israel, 250 companies own this program, allowing these companies full control over their vehicle fleet.
At the beginning of 2000, Ituran began commercially marketing the PAL unit.
The PAL is an extremely small tracking device (about the size of a pager) that allows a customer in distress to press a button that provides an alert signal at Ituran’s Control Center. The PAL is designed for the purpose of locating senior citizens, Alzheimer patients, children, women, etc. Due to the PAL’s small size, it is easy to conceal and as a result can also aid in the protection of merchandise, computers, A/C, freight containers, etc.
Because navigation, mapping and localization play such key roles in planning and carrying out the routes of each Isuzu Challenge expedition, who better to participate in that endeavor than Ituran, a company specializing in tracking technology and devices. In the Isuzu Challenge Expedition, Ituran saw a fitting backdrop for cooperation and sponsorship.
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Leumi Card:
Leumi-card Ltd. is one of Israel’s leading credit card companies fully owned by Bank Leumi, the country’s oldest bank (since 1902) and one of the two largest credit card companies in the country. Established in 2000 after Bank Leumi sold its stake in I.C.C and acquired Alfa Card, the company provides a wide range of issuing and acquiring services.
Leumi-card is a young and dynamic company offering its customers many possibilities with novel credit cards and the most innovative products available on the market today. The company issues Visa, Mastercard & American Express cards offering attractive deals and payment solutions to cardholders and has developed appealing payment solutions for private consumers and businesses. At the end of last year, Leumi Card introduced the first revolving credit card in the Israeli market, the “Multi”.
Since its establishment, the company has invested major resources in building a leading-edge marketing and operational infrastructure, and prides itself on providing the highest standard of customer service. Leumi-card has issued more than 1.2 million cards since the beginning of 2001, including to clients from other banks. The company’s debit clearing services serve some 36,000 businesses.
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Live Updates from the Field:
During the expedition, you will be able to follow along on the website as we post the day-by-day expedition journal.
Contact Us:
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The Web Site
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NRG Marriv
NRG Maariv, the highly developed content website in Israel, was launched in June of 2004. This innovative site is composed from variety of wide, rich content worlds with their own unique language and a fresh and dynamic design. this enables each person to find his/hers relevant area of interest by accessing just one place.
The website has an independent news desk and exclusive first class reporters that covers a variety of subjects, so it can offer online updates, newsflashes while emphasizing the importance of the content.
NRG Maariv works in cooperation with the printed edition of the newspaper, the network of local newspapers and magazines. The website leads the parent company’s entrance into the new age while equipping it with an added value that enables it’s readers, surfers and publishers to enjoy an improved experience and service.
This year, NRG will again join the annual 4x4 expedition Isuzu Challenge, heading for the Yunan Province in China. The website will accompany the expedition from the registration process, through the screening tests, the team orientation and on the expedition itself that sets off on its way mid-October 2005. Photos send via satellite live from the events will be posted on the website.
Maariv newspaper is working in cooperation with the Isuzu Challenge project for its sixth consecutive year and will publish extensive articles on the expedition to China via information and photos received from a special team of a Maariv photographer and reporter who will take part in the expedition.
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