Autoblog Isuzu

GM to sell medium-duty truck business to Isuzu?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Work, GM, Isuzu

As General Motors seeks to streamline its production, the auto giant's medium-duty truck business is back on the block. This past summer a deal with Navistar fell through, leaving GM holding its hat, but a new deal could see the line transfer to Isuzu.

The Japanese automaker, which was due to withdraw from passenger car sales in North American as of a couple of days ago, is one of the world's largest producers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and has had a long history of collaboration with GM. The new arrangement, which was previously rejected, would have Isuzu take over production of the GMC TopKick and Chevrolet Kodiak trucks, also rebadged as the Isuzu H-Series (pictured above), currently produced alongside the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado pick-ups at GM's Flint, Michigan truck plant. The deal is far from finalized, with Isuzu spokesmen apparently unaware of the negotiations reportedly in progress, but UAW officials say this could be the best way to keep its truck assembly workers employed.

[Source: Michigan Online]

GM to sell medium-duty truck business to Isuzu? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Isuzu to cease passenger vehicle sales in America at month's end

Chris Paukert — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Isuzu

Click above for high-res gallery of the vehicles Isuzu is leaving behind

Isuzu will cease selling passenger vehicles in America on January 31. In a news blurb that's about as abbreviated as the company's product lineup, Kelley Blue Book reports that the troubled Japanese automaker will stop selling its Ascender SUV and i-Series pickups at the end of the month, both badge-engineered versions of General Motors trucks. Isuzu sales have been winding down for some time now (it sold just over 7000 units last year), and the move had been expected as the plant that underpins the Ascender (shared with the Chevrolet Traiblazer, GMC Envoy, and Saab 9-7X) shuttered just before the holidays.

For all of you little Troopers, Hombres, and Amigos that remain brand loyalists, Isuzu has stated that it will continue to offer parts and service to owners, including honoring warranty claims.

Gallery: The Vehicles Isuzu is Leaving Behind

[Source: Kelley Blue Book]

Isuzu to cease passenger vehicle sales in America at month's end originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: LHD Isuzu D-Max caught in Midwest snow

Dan Roth — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, GM, Isuzu

What the heck's an Isuzu test mule doing banging around the Midwest? There's no hope that this D-Max, based on the GMT 355 platform, will ever see a North American showroom, since the company recently folded up its tent and left.

What's most likely is that an OEM is doing some development work on the big 3.0-liter four pot turbodiesel. Pickuptrucks.com speculates that Bosch or AVL's Detroit-area outposts might be fiddling with the engine under the ill-fitting hood, as the vehicle has been seen going to and fro some engineering facilites. So, while the idea of a GMT 355 with a torque-tacular turbo-diesel is exciting, it's likely not likely that consumers here will ever get the chance to buy one. Darn.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Spy Shots: LHD Isuzu D-Max caught in Midwest snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Isuzu not interested in GM's medium-duty truck operations

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:35:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, GM, GMC, Isuzu

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]

Isuzu not interested in GM's medium-duty truck operations originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM considering selling medium truck operations to Isuzu

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Isuzu, Rumormill

Reports are coming in that the General is considering selling its medium truck operations to Isuzu. This news is totally unconfirmed by both parties, though Isuzu says it would be more than willing to listen if GM felt the desire to talk.

All of this comes shortly after Navistar chose not to follow through on its non-binding agreement to purchase the commercial truck unit from General Motors after seeing what's been happening with the U.S. economy and gas prices. After that deal went sour, GM said that it would continue looking for options, so this particular piece of the rumormill pie is anything but surprising. We contacted GM to see if the automaker had anything to say regarding the hubbub, and, as expected, it's staying tight-lipped for the time being. An Isuzu tie-up makes some sense, as the two truck makers have had dealings together in the past, most notably in the design of GM's current mid-sized trucks, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon.

[Source: Forbes]

GM considering selling medium truck operations to Isuzu originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Isuzu, dumping product, posts highest sales since 2000

Michael Harley — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Isuzu

Aggressive dealer cash incentives ranging from $4,000 to $8,000 on vehicles has helped Isuzu record its first quarterly sales increase in nearly eight years. The news of 2,007 new units out the door follows the not-so-shocking report earlier this year that Isuzu is abandoning the U.S. market -- ergo the fire sale.

There are 201 Isuzu dealers in the U.S. right now, and all are tasked with clearing the balance of their inventory by Jan. 31, 2009. If you've got the hots for an Ascender SUV or an i-290 / i-370 pickup, now would be a great time to take a stroll over to your Isuzu dealer (and don't forget to let them know Autoblog told you about the rebates).

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Isuzu, dumping product, posts highest sales since 2000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CONFIRMED: Isuzu abandoning U.S. market

John Neff — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Isuzu

Isuzu has officially announced that it's leaving the U.S. market and discontinuing sales of its i-Series pickup and Ascender SUV. Both vehicles are produced via a joint venture with General Motors, the i-Series being based on the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon pickups and the Ascender being a rebadged version of the Chevy Trailblazer. Reuters reports that it will cost Isuzu some $37 million to bug out, mostly in dealer buyouts and other move-related costs. Though the Japanese automaker will not be selling vehicles in the States, it will continue to provide parts for service. Its reason for leaving is basically that GM has no plans to replace the Colorado/Canyon and Trailblazer with models that Isuzu could rebadge, and the automaker has no plans to develop its own new models for North America.

Isuzu's sales have been extremely weak in the U.S. these past few years. Last year it sold just 7,906 units, down from 15,751 units in 2006. We can't say that we're crushed that Isuzu is leaving, although we do remember a time when Isuzu sold more than just trucks, back when the brand's image was shaped by a guy named Isuzu Joe (see commercial after jump). Remember the Impulse, Lotus-tuned Stylus (the last car sold by Isuzu in the U.S. from 1990 - 1993, and one we wouldn't mind owning ourselves), the wild VehiCROSS and sharply styled Axiom? Yes, we can remember better times for Isuzu in the U.S., but recent bad times have led the automaker to this decision. Farewell, Isuzu! Read Isuzu's official press release after the jump.

[Source: Reuters via Pickuptruck.com]

Gallery: 2008 Isuzu i-Series

Gallery: 2008 Isuzu Ascender

Continue reading CONFIRMED: Isuzu abandoning U.S. market

CONFIRMED: Isuzu abandoning U.S. market originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Isuzu plans Alabama truck plant

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 07:55:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Isuzu

When the fruity people at Del Monte closed their Pinson Valley distribution center in Alabama, they were left with 300k square-feet worth of warehouse space and a lot of unsold canned pears. Being in the market for a manufacturing center, Isuzu decided to pick up the facility with the intention of investing several million bucks to turn the warehouse into their newest North American commercial truck plant.

Over the next few years, 1,000 workers will be putting together medium- and full-size trucks using parts from outside sources. Isuzu hasn't set a date for the retrofitting or production to begin.

One interesting tidbit from the article in al.com, was that Isuzu may decide to build a smaller commercial truck for the U.S. market and has plans to introduce a four-ton truck into its lineup in 2009.

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: ai.com]

Isuzu plans Alabama truck plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota to sell diesel hybrid by 2010 thanks to Isuzu

John Neff — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:55:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Green, Technology, Isuzu, Toyota

AutoblogGreen has reason to be happy, having found evidence that Toyota's recent purchase of a 5.9% stake in Isuzu will bear fruit in 2010 when the Japanese juggernaut marries its Synergy hybrid drive system with a diesel engine. Presumably such a hook up was made possible, or at least hastened, by the expertise in diesels that Isuzu brings to the table. Toyota knows its way around an oil burner too, but its Hino commercial truck division usually deals with diesels meant for trucks and buses.

Heck, even we have to admit that we're excited for such a combo, as diesel engines excel in efficiency when cruising at highway speeds, much more so than a gasoline engine, which to this point has always been the electric motor's dance partner in modern hybrids. JapanToday is reporting that a Toyota subcompact with this diesel hybrid drivetrain will be available as soon as 2010. Assuming we're not all driving EVs by then, such a car should easily grab the mpg crown in the U.S.

[Source: AutoblogGreen, JapanToday]

Toyota to sell diesel hybrid by 2010 thanks to Isuzu originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Automobile Mag (mercifully) shreds an Isuzu Trooper

Chris Tutor — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:26:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Isuzu

Automobile Magazine took a previously loved Isuzu Trooper to a car shredder and, just for us machine freaks, shot video of its aged, slab-sided body disappearing forever into the 6,000 horsepower jaws of automotive death. It's amazing how quickly the device of destruction chews from the Trooper's smashed-in front bumper to its rear-view-impinging spare tire.

Clyde Phillips, manager of the junking facility, says on the video that they run more than 1,000 cars a day through monster machine, sending the finely shredded steel to recyclers to become newer, hopefully better, cars and trucks.

Now that this video is out, every AMC Matador in the country will be lying awake tonight wondering if it's next in the Cuisinart of the automotive world.

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

Video: Automobile Mag (mercifully) shreds an Isuzu Trooper originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota buys 5.9% of Isuzu

John Neff — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Isuzu, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Toyota announced today that it will spend $373 million on a deal with Isuzu that will transfer 5.9% of the truck- and diesel-maker to the giant Japanese automaker. Toyota's goal in purchasing a stake in Isuzu is to bolster its diesel portfolio, which apparently lags behind other major automakers like cross-town rival Honda who announced in September it would have diesel-powered passenger cars for sale in the U.S. within three years.

We always expected that Toyota would rely on its own Hino Motors commercial truck subsidiary for a diesel engine to power a heavy-duty version of its new Tundra pickup, but Hino is not prepared to make smaller diesel engines for passenger cars and potentially diesel hybrids. Isuzu offers Toyota the know-how and production capacity for diesel engines that are smaller than 2.5-liters, which makes the purchase seem like a perfect fit.

Mitsubishi will now become the largest single shareholder in Isuzu with 9.7% of the stock, followed by trading house Itochu Corp. with 7.2% and Toyota with 5.9%. GM sold all of its stock in Isuzu back in April, which amounted to 7.9%. Today's announcement marks the second time Toyota has swooped in and picked up shares in a company that GM has cast off, the first being Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. required]

Toyota buys 5.9% of Isuzu originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubish becomes top shareholder of Isuzu

Randall Halcomb — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Isuzu, Mitsubishi

Isuzu Motors announced today that Mitsubishi Corp. has become its top shareholder after increasing its share of the automaker from 3.5 percent to 15.65 percent. Mitsubishi Corp, the huge conglomerate that also owns 13 percent of Mitsubishi Motors Corp, first scooped up a share in Isuzu when General Motors dropped back its stake in the company back in April, and this news came about after Mitsubishi decided to convert all the preferred share that it purchased back in 2005 into common stock. Mitsubishi is clearly looking to strengthen its ties with Isuzu and benefit from the automaker's truck business.

Mitsubishi is a huge company, and it's no suprise that it is looking to strengthen its truck portfolio. A major factor in Mitsubishi's success last year was the strong sales of its trucks in Thailand, believe it or not. It will be interesting to see how much Mitsubishi integrates Isuzu into its current product offerings, as in some markets the two are direct competitors. It will be also interesting to see what becomes of Mitsubishi's relationship with DaimlerChrysler, as its current midsize truck offering, the Raider, is based on the Dodge Dakota. And what of GM's midsize trucks, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, which share their identity with Isuzu versions that have different grilles and bigger warranties? Seems as old relationships unravel, new ones are forming quickly.

[Source: AutomotiveNews - sub. required]

Mitsubish becomes top shareholder of Isuzu originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Oct 2006 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Isuzu VehiCOPS!

Alex Nunez — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Isuzu

Photo: Chris Belanger

We love seeing interesting police cars, and by "interesting," we mean a car that does not have an available factory police package. With that in mind, you can imagine the smile that crossed our faces when we opened an email from reader/tipster Chris Belanger. Chris saw something parked in Montecito, CA that definitely qualifies as interesting as far as we're concerned.

It would appear that the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's motor pool includes a genuine oddity among the usual fleetmobiles: a full-dress Isuzu VehiCROSS police car.

Powered by a 3.5-liter 215-horsepower, the quirky-cool 2-door VehiCROSS was only available from '99 to '01 in the US. It seems that Americans preferred their SUVs with a second set of doors (no surprise there), more traditional appearance, and spacious interiors . The VehiCROSS was two doors short and a bit too avant-garde-looking for the masses, and it was euthanized in the US after a little more than 4,000 of them were imported over its three-year stay.

Well, we now know the fate of one of them. If you're in Santa Barbara County, you might catch it out and about one of these days, which would certainly be better than it catching you, if you get our drift.

Great tip, Chris!

(More photos after the jump)

[Source, photos: Chris Belanger]

Continue reading Isuzu VehiCOPS!

Isuzu VehiCOPS! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Isuzu rolls out new D-Max pickup

John Neff — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Isuzu

Isuzu hardly has a leg left to stand on in North America, but elsewhere in the world its trucks are being bought by the hundreds of thousands. The D-Max shares its underpinnings and much of its sheetmetal with the brand's i-280 and i-350 pickups, as well as our own Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. The new model gets a refreshed front end and new 3.0-liter CRD turbo-diesel. Inside Line reports that Isuzu is gearing up to build 350,000 units at its plants in Thailand where the the brand has ruled the commercial vehicle market for 23 years and the pickup segment for 10 years.

The D-Max also has a 7-passenger SUV spin-off called the MU 7, which also receives the freshened face and new diesel engine.

[Source: Inside Line]

Isuzu rolls out new D-Max pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Aug 2006 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors and Isuzu to build pickups together

Erin Mays — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Japan, GM, Isuzu

General Motors and Isuzu Motors Ltd. will get together for another joint venture to start developing new pickups together for emerging markets. The JV, called LCV Platform Engineering Corp., has worked together successfully before on pickup development and production, and despite GM having sold off much of its Japanese investments (Isuzu, Suzuki, Subaru, etc.), the company says the work it has done with Isuzu to develop and produce pickups should continue due to its success in the past.

LCV Platform Engineering Corp. is a 50-50 joint venture between General Motors and Isuzu based in Fujisawa, Japan. The arrangement and accompanying facilities should be ready to go in September of this year.

[Source: Associated Press via the Detroit Free Press]

General Motors and Isuzu to build pickups together originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jun 2006 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors recalling 400,000 mid-size pickups over brake light malfunction

Erin Mays — Mon, 01 May 2006 16:26:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Isuzu

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that General Motors is recalling over 400,000 pickup trucks due to malfunctioning brake lights. While the automaker is unaware of any accidents resulting from the problem, trucks also outfitted with cruise control lose that functionality as well. Trucks affected are the 2004-2006 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups and 2006 Isuzu i-280 and i-350 trucks.

[Source: WOODTV.com]

General Motors recalling 400,000 mid-size pickups over brake light malfunction originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 May 2006 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM cuts loose Isuzu

Eric Bryant — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, GM, GMC, Isuzu, Earnings/Financials

Reports are that GM has sold its 7.8% stake in Isuzu Motors to a group of investment partners and strategic shareholders in the Japanese manufacturer of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and diesel engines. The deal will put about $300M in GM's pocket, and will still allow business relationships between the two companies to continue. Those include the manufacturing of light trucks in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, diesel-engine efforts in Europe and the US, and the GMC-Isuzu commercial truck venture (such as the GMC W-series that is produced in Janesville, WI).

At one time, GM held as much as 49% of Isuzu during the 35-year relationship between the two companies, but that share was reduced over the years due to a variety of financial maneuvers.

[Source: Marketwatch.com]

GM cuts loose Isuzu originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Apr 2006 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM looking to sell off Isuzu truck interest to Mitsubishi

Chris Paukert — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 07:32:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, GM, Isuzu, Mitsubishi

Word 'round the 2006 General Motors Divest-Fest campfire is that the automaker's stake in Isuzu is likely to be the next to go. GM is reportedly plying its stake in Japanese truck manufacturer Isuzu Motors Ltd. to Mitsubishi Corp. and Itochu Corp. A spokesman from Mitsu indicates that the proposal has indeed been tendered, and that the company is apparently regarding it with favor.

GM and Isuzu have had a longstanding relationship dating back to 1971, and the two presently build diesel powerplants both Stateside and in Poland, along with cooperative pickup manufacturing in southern Thailand.

[Source: Bloomberg News]

GM looking to sell off Isuzu truck interest to Mitsubishi originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Mar 2006 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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