Inside DLL and Ballarat Isuzu’s Financing Success Story

Celebrating 50 years in 2025, Ballarat Isuzu has long been recognised as a standout performer in Australia’s largest truck brand network - with a history of award-winning sales and customer service. In 2023, the dealership entered a new phase of growth by partnering with global financier DLL to offer commercial and retail financing solutions tailored to its customers. The move has enhanced both operational flexibility and customer experience, cementing Ballarat Isuzu’s place as a leading dealership in the Isuzu Australia network.

“We’re predominantly an Isuzu truck dealer that sells commercial vehicles to local companies,” Ballarat Isuzu owner Ian Deacon told ATN.  

DLL provides commercial, retail, and used equipment finance solutions to a wide range of businesses. This collaboration has seen it offer a mix of commercial and retail finance to Ballarat Isuzu and its customers. 

“On the commercial side, DLL has worked with Isuzu dealers such as Ballarat Isuzu to provide end-to-end solutions,” DLL Commercial Finance Business Development Manager Isabelle Marolho told ATN.  

“This means providing floorplan finance by leveraging our commercial finance solutions to help Ballarat Isuzu meet its business goals.” 

On the retail side, DLL National Sales Lead Transport Stephen Denlow, has worked with the major Isuzu dealer to develop its strategic vision and provide appealing financing solutions for Isuzu customers in the area. 

“Transport is a key focus for DLL, and Isuzu dealers like Ballarat are central to our growth,” he told ATN.  

“We deal with OEM’s and dealer groups as a retail finance partner, with Isuzu and its dealers being a key part of this. Other financiers may have restrictions on the truck sizes they can finance, but we’ve forged a collaboration with Ballarat Isuzu based on us providing solutions to a wide range of trucks.” 

A Collaboration Built on Flexibility

A key part of DLL’s role in this growing collaboration is its international backing. As a fully owned subsidiary of the global Rabobank Group, DLL wields more than 50 years of global equipment finance experience. This experience came to the fore early in the partnership when the Victorian dealer decided to switch finance partners. 

“At the time we weren’t satisfied with the floorplan provider we had – it all became too complicated, and we faced restrictions around what they would finance in terms of truck size,” Deacon says. 

“We then spoke to DLL’s commercial finance team about floorplan funding, which is one of the most important parts of our business, so that we had the funding to buy Isuzu trucks. 

“DLL has always been about simplicity – the team understands the transport industry and what we wanted to achieve, and they offered competitive floorplan and retail rates without any restrictions.” 

Customer-centric Solutions

It’s clear that the DLL-Isuzu Ballarat collaboration has benefited both parties – but what has it meant for customers? 

“On the retail side, we have a great relationship with the finance managers at Ballarat Isuzu who have been incredibly easy to work with,” Denlow says.  

“Recognising the strength of the Isuzu brand and its loyal customer base, we made a strategic decision to introduce a dedicated credit matrix specifically for Isuzu Trucks. This marks the first time we've implemented such a model with a construction or transport partner, a reflection of the high quality and reputation of Isuzu’s assets. 

“It’s been a real winner that has received positive feedback from both the dealership and its customers.” For customers, these finance innovations mean Ballarat Isuzu has been able to take its deals to the next level. Now, Isuzu buyers in the region have been introduced to a range of trucks and offers courtesy of DLL’s 24-month financing timeline with the dealership. “We obviously want to turn over trucks quicker than 24 months, but the flexibility if timeframes happen to be longer shows DLL’s intricate understanding of our operations,” Deacon says. 

“We also know business managers are happy dealing with DLL’s quick turnaround times. If a customer wants to buy a truck and we can get the funding done quickly, it benefits everyone.” 

Mutual Growth & Industry Insight

On the floorplan and commercial financing side, Marolho says Deacon and the Ballarat Isuzu team have been easy to work with due their rich experience. “They have taught us what their customers look for, which gives us credibility as the financier dealing with such an impressive business,” she says. “On our own credit team, we have an advantage through our industry specialists. Every sector is different, so having dedicated people who understand the asset is so important. Buying a tractor is different to a truck, so we need people who understand transport customer expectations to make the turnaround time as fast as possible.” 

This collaboration is best described by Denlow as “symbiotic,” with both members helping each other grow in their own spaces. DLL’s retail finance side has allowed Ballarat Isuzu to receive tailored financial solutions specific to the range of trucks it sells. “One main feature of our retail finance business is to keep the cash flow moving in a dealership and to spread out the payment for a truck over time,” he says. 

Navigating Market Challenges 

Amid rising rates and industry pressures, DLL’s flexible finance helps transport businesses stay agile. The DLL and Ballarat Isuzu collaboration is providing relief in one key sector of a trucking company’s operations by making vehicles easier to access over time. 

“If you walk into a dealership to buy a truck, you want it to be an easy and quick process – our financial solutions make it simpler for customers to buy trucks from dealers and continue growing,” Denlow says. “We don’t want to over-complicate it, so this process makes it nice and easy.” 

Looking Ahead: Preparing For New Truck Technology 

As Isuzu rolls out new models, DLL is ready to support Ballarat Isuzu with tailored finance solutions. 

“There’s a big push from Isuzu to get people into safer trucks and safer technology – DLL’s expertise in understanding the market will make for an easy transition on our end,” Deacon says. Marolho says DLL has a dedicated in-house asset management team prepared to analyse and provide financial solutions to the newer models when they arrive in dealerships. From a retail side, Denlow is ready to ensure Ballarat Isuzu can continue its sterling reputation as a leading Isuzu trucks dealer. “We will continue to fund used trucks for customers – it’s a good opportunity to specialise in both old and new models for Ballarat Isuzu in what has been an exciting partnership,” he says. 

If you want to find out about DLL’s transport financing solutions, reach out to us here!

Disclaimer: Finance is provided by De Lage Landen Pty Limited (ABN 20 101 692 040) (DLL). Equipment to be used for business purposes only. Subject to DLL’s standard credit criteria, fees and terms and conditions apply.