Sales of Isuzu pick-up vehicles in the UK rose by 11 per cent last year, putting the UK market firmly at the top of the brand's European sales chart.

A total of 2,431 Isuzu Rodeo pick-ups were sold by the 97-strong UK dealer network, up by 11 per cent compared to 2010 and equivalent to 17 per cent of all Isuzu registrations across the continent.

It is the first time that the UK operation, which is managed by distributor IM Group, has achieved the number one status in Europe. Last year's success is part of an ongoing trend for the renowned pick-up brand, which has seen UK sales more than double over the past three years. Isuzu's UK sales in 2011 bettered the Japanese brand's registrations in second-placed Turkey (2,296 units) and France (2,003 units).

Isuzu General Manager, William Brown, said the market had responded positively to the Rodeo in recent years, which was testament to the vehicle's growing reputation as a dependable load-lugger.