Isuzu not interested in GM's medium-duty truck operations
It must be pretty hard to unload an unwanted truck business these days. Just ask General Motors, which has attempted to sell its medium-duty truck operations first to Navistar and then Isuzu. Both heavy-duty diesel makers have passed on the offer. Isuzu had been rumored as a possible buyer for the unit after Navistar let the non-binding agreement pass by unsigned. Now, Isuzu President Susumu Hosoi tells Reuters, "There will be no such acquisition happening" from his company either, suggesting that the market for heavy-duty trucks has not yet hit the bottom.
GM and Isuzu still have dealings together as the two companies jointly develop and build the Duramax engines that power the General's most powerful full-size trucks, SUVs and vans. This cooperation is expected to continue on as it has with neither Isuzu or GM buying out the other to gain full control of the operations.
[Source: Reuters]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Torrent 6:52PM (9/24/2008)
I smell smoke, because they just got burned!
lol
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Frank 7:23PM (9/24/2008)
Good one! LoL
Frank 7:23PM (9/24/2008)
Who the hell wants to buy GM's sinking truck line...TATA, Mahindra,,,anybody.... lowest bidder probably. Even with slumping sales don't forget Medium trucks run the U.S. Without them we have nothing.
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Ed 9:55PM (9/24/2008)
Introducing the all-new, 4 mpg, 2010 Chevy Silverado.
*And out steps a tiny little woman from the driver's door who retrieves a single grocery sack from the rear seat*
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Virginia Wolf 11:06PM (9/24/2008)
This auto slump will go into 2009, so in second half of 2009 someone may get this unit from GM on the cheap. Someone like Navistar, or Volvo (the other Volvo)
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Jaymez 11:57PM (9/24/2008)
I want that truck.
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cxv 2:28AM (9/25/2008)
Maybe GM can bundle the truck business with Hummer and sel it to Mahindra. They already sell farming equipment and this could be added to their US operations.
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G-Meister 8:30AM (9/25/2008)
From what I know, the Duramax JV will end in 2010, when GM takes over all operations. At that time, without Isuzu worrying about warranty costs, look for GM to pull the trigger on a serious power jump.
As for selling the business, there's just nothing there- 2 rails surrounded by outsourced parts with a GMT610 derived cab. The last thing anyone wants is an old UAW plant in Flint. I mean... its Flint!
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Shadooky 8:50AM (9/25/2008)
How much do you want to bet that GM has spent zero money on product line upgrades past the 2010 year mark in anticipation that this unit would have been sold by now?
I heard the main reason the GM-Navistar deal feel apart was the inability of GM to replace the product line in Flint with another once Navistar moved operations to their Springfield plant. Of course this didn't sit well with the UAW and here we are.
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Tim 9:01AM (9/25/2008)
Shadooky - GM has spent BIG BUCKS on the 2010 and 2012 6.6L Duramax program. This program will be around for a very long time as the industry-leading Diesel engine of choice.
Ed - you are an idoit - GM trucks get the BEST FUEL ECONOMY in their class - better than Ford, Dodge AND Toyota.
Shadooky 9:34AM (9/25/2008)
But Tim, what about the actual truck itself (cab, frame, electronics, etc)? Apparently during that 8 month window in which Navistar had the choice to purchase the GM Heavy Truck brand many engineers left for Navistar or simply retired. No testing on new products or prototypes was completed.
In the end the UAW will make it impossible for GM to sell this brand.
bakka 10:33AM (9/25/2008)
Wonder what they want for the business. Maybe if i break open my piggy bank I can arrange something :)
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Tim 11:07AM (9/25/2008)
Shadooky - you are correct, however, would you spend billions redesigning something if you planned on selling it for half its value? Didn't think so.
I agree with you on the UAW comment, they seem to have GM (and Ford and Chrysler) by the short hairs. They have been dragging domestic auto manufacturers down for decades. MD truck along with small cars can be profitable, but now while the UAW is involved.
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Martman 11:22AM (9/25/2008)
Ford got out of this business a few years ago by selling it, dodge quit a couple of decades ago. GM will just have to let it die. To bad,north america was build on the like of these trucks from GM and ford. at one time almost all the medium duty truck were sold by GM,Ford and international. This would include all the farm trucks that put the food on your table. So do not be so quick to jump for joy at the daeth of another american Icon. All you NA car and truck hater, these trucks build the great nations of north america. Times have changed but our history hasn't.
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Shadooky 2:07PM (9/25/2008)
At least International has survived all these years and still doing well.