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Isuzu Motors Ltd. or Isuzu Jidōsha Kabushiki-Kaisha
Company typePublic
TYO: 7202
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1916
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
Key people
Susumu Hosoi, President & Representative Director
ProductsCommercial vehicles, diesel engines
Number of employees
7,371
WebsiteIsuzu Worldwide site
Isuzu Motors' head office (Minami- ōi, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo.)

Isuzu Motors Ltd. (いすゞ自動車株式会社, Isuzu Jidōsha Kabushiki-Kaisha), (TYO: 7202) is a Japanese car, commercial vehicle and heavy truck manufacturing company, headquartered in Tokyo. In 2005, Isuzu became the world's largest manufacturer of medium to heavy duty trucks.[citation needed] It has assembly and manufacturing plants in the Japanese city of Fujisawa, as well as in the prefectures Tochigi and Hokkaidō. Isuzu is famous for producing commercial vehicles and diesel engines. By 2009, Isuzu had produced over 21 million diesel engines, which can be found in vehicles all over the world.[1] Isuzu diesel engines are used by Renault-Nissan Alliance and General Motors.

History

Isuzu's history begins in 1916, when Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd. plan a cooperation with the Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Co. to build automobiles. The next step is taken in 1918, when a technical cooperation with Wolseley Motors Limited is initiated, meaning exclusive rights to the production and sales of Wolseley vehicles in East Asia.[2] In 1922 the first Wolseley model, the A-9 car, is domestically produced. The CP truck follows two years later; 550 of these are built until 1927.[3] In 1933, Ishikawajima Automotive Works merges with DAT Automobile Manufacturing Inc. (a predecessor of Datsun) and changes its name to Automobile Industries Co., Ltd. The products of this company, marketed as "Sumiya" and "Chiyoda",[2] were renamed Isuzu (after the Isuzu River) in 1934, following a meeting with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI). The word Isuzu translated into English means "fifty bells" - hence the focus on "bell" in both the later Bellel and the Bellett.

In 1937 Automobile Industries is reorganized and formed into a new company, Tokyo Automobile Industries Co., Ltd. It was founded with a capital of one million yen. Only in 1949 is Isuzu also adopted as the company name. Meanwhile, in 1942, Hino Heavy Industries was split off from Isuzu, becoming a separate corporation.[4] Truck production (TX40 and TU60) began anew in 1945, with the permission of the occupation authorities.[5] Beginning in 1953 the Hillman Minx passenger car is produced under license of Rootes Group. The Minx remained in production until 1962,[6] after the 1961 introduction of Isuzu's first own car, the Bellel.[2] Being a small producer making cars which were somewhat too large and pricey for the Japanese market at the time, Isuzu spent some time looking for a commercial partner. Under pressure from MITI, who were attempting to limit the number of automobile manufacturers in Japan, a cooperation with Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru) began in 1966. The Subaru 1000 was even shown in Isuzu's 1967 annual vehicle brochure, as a suitable complement to the larger Isuzu lineup.[7] This tie-up was over by 1968, when an agreement with Mitsubishi was formed. This ended even quicker, by 1969, and the next year an equally short-lived collaboration was entered with Nissan.[8] A few months later, in September 1971, what was to prove a more durable capital agreement was signed with General Motors.

Linking with General Motors

The first result of GM taking a 34% stake in Isuzu is seen in 1972, only months later, when the Chevrolet LUV becomes the first Isuzu-built vehicle to be sold in the United States. To symbolize the new beginning, Isuzu also develops a new logo for 1974, with two vertical pillars which are stylized representations of the first syllable in いすゞ ("Isuzu").[3] In 1974 Isuzu introduces the Gemini, which is co-produced with General Motors as the T-car. It is sold in the United States as Buick's Opel by Isuzu, and in Australia as the Holden Gemini. As a result of the collaboration, certain American GM products are sold to Japanese customers through Isuzu dealerships. Holden's Statesman was also briefly sold (246 examples) with Isuzu badging in Japan during the seventies.[9] Isuzu exports also increase considerably as a result of being able to use GM networks, from 0.7% of production in 1973 to 35.2% by 1976; this while overall production increased more than fourfold in the same period.[8]

1981 marks the year that Isuzu-branded consumer and commercial vehicles are first successfully marketed under their own brand in the United States. The Isuzu P'Up is the first model sold to consumers as an Isuzu, instead of as a Chevrolet or Buick. This was also the year in which Isuzu, Suzuki, and GM began a cooperative effort to export small cars to North America.[8] During this period Isuzu also developed a worldwide presence as an exporter of diesel engines, with their powerplants in use by Opel/Vauxhall, Land Rover, Hindustan, and many others. In the domestic Japanese market, OEM deals with other manufacturers led to the badging of Suzuki and Subaru small commercial vehicles as Isuzus (Geminett, Geminett II). This OEM tie-up occurred alongside the establishment of SIA (Subaru-Isuzu Automotive), an American joint venture with Fuji Heavy Industries (the parent company of Subaru). Shortly afterwards, the Lafayette, Indiana plant becomes operational.

1966 Isuzu Bellett 1600 GT (PR90)
  • 1993 - Isuzu ceases to export the Stylus (Geo Spectrum), its last cars in America, after ending sales of the Impulse (Geo Storm) the year before.
Very unusual 1967 Isuzu Unicab, a two-wheel drive utility vehicle
  • 1994 - Isuzu announces new vehicle exchange program with Honda, providing Honda with the Isuzu Rodeo (to be sold as the Honda Passport) and Isuzu Trooper (to be sold as the Acura SLX) and providing Isuzu with the Honda Odyssey (to be sold as the Isuzu Oasis). This has the effect of adding two SUVs to Honda's lineup and a minivan to Isuzu's lineup.
  • 1996 - Isuzu's sales peak in the United States. The Isuzu Hombre pickup was introduced.
  • 1998 - General Motors and Isuzu form DMAX, a joint venture to produce diesel engines. Isuzu resurrects the beloved Amigo. The uniquely styled VehiCROSS concept is unveiled.
  • 1999 - GM raises its stake in Isuzu to 49%, effectively gaining control of the company. GM quickly follows this up with the appointment of an American GM executive to head Isuzu's North American Operations. This is the first time a non-Japanese executive has ever held such a high position at Isuzu. The U.S. introduction of the production version of the heralded VehiCROSS is met with mixed reviews, as its high pricetag, unique styling and two-door configuration don't seem to meet with market demands.
  • 2001 - Joe Isuzu, the immensely popular pitchman with implausible claims, is hired once again to promote the new Axiom. Isuzu sales begin to slide due to the aging of the Rodeo and Trooper, and poor management & lack of assistance from GM. Isuzu changes the name of the 2-door Amigo convertible to Rodeo Sport in an attempt to associate it with the better selling 4-door Rodeo. Movie Spy kids features Isuzu Axiom and Trooper.
  • Early 2002 - Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru's parent company) buys Isuzu's share of Lafayette, Indiana plant. Subaru Isuzu Automotive (SIA) becomes Subaru of Indiana Automotive. After 8 years of heavy Honda Passport sales and light Isuzu Oasis sales, Honda and Isuzu cooperatively end their vehicle exchange agreement. The Oasis is dropped, and Honda replaces the Passport with the Pilot. Also, it was Isuzu's last year for passenger vehicles in Canada, as Isuzus in Canada were mostly sold at Saturn-Saab dealerships.
  • Late 2002 - Isuzu begins the re-purchase of its stock from shareholders, primarily General Motors. Isuzu reduces GM's 49% share to 12% as part of this comprehensive recapitalization plan. As part of this reorganization, GM gains full control of DMAX and Isuzu Motors Polska, as well as ownership of all diesel engine designs from Isuzu. Isuzu drops the venerable Trooper from the North American lineup.
  • 2003 - The Rodeo Sport is discontinued.
  • July 2004 - Production of the Rodeo and Axiom cease. Sales in North America slow to just 27,188, with the discontinued Rodeo and Axiom making up 71% of that total. The number of Isuzu dealerships in the U.S. begins a rapid decline.
  • 2005 - Isuzu dealers in the United States have only 2 models: the Ascender and the i-series pickup truck. The i-series is a rebadged Chevrolet Colorado, the Ascender is a re-badged GMC Envoy. At this point, Isuzu in the United States is primarily a distributor of medium duty trucks such as the NPR series. These vehicles are sourced both from Japan and U.S. plants in Janesville, Wisconsin and Flint, Michigan. Isuzu has 290 light-vehicle dealers in the U.S. as of August 2006, and sells an average of just two Ascenders per dealer per month. Plans to introduce a new Thai-built SUV, expected to be added for 2007, are shelved; Isuzu Motors Limited believes that a new SUV would be too risky and proceeds with the launch of the i-series trucks. Rumors of Isuzu's withdrawal from the U.S. market are rampant. Despite extremely low sales figures of 12,177 passenger vehicles for 2005 (with leftover Axiom and Rodeos making up 30% of this), Isuzu Motors America announces its first profit in years, mainly due to restructuring cuts.
  • 2006 - Production of the 7-passenger Ascender ends in February with the closure of GM's Oklahoma City Assembly plant, leaving Isuzu with the 5-passenger Ascender, built in Moraine, Ohio and the low-selling i-Series as its only retail products. The company sold just 1,504 vehicles in North America in the first two months of 2006. Isuzu finally purchases its remaining shares from GM, but claims the companies will continue their current relationship. There is no word as of April 12, 2006 on the effect this will have on DMAX operations.
Isuzu LT132L on a Hong Kong motorway
Isuzu LV486R CNG City Bus in Bangkok with the CNG-MPI Engine
  • June 2006 - Isuzu and GM Agree to establish Joint Venture called "LCV Platform Engineering Corporation (LPEC)" to develop a new pickup. Isuzu says it will use its engineering expertise to develop the pickup and GM will develop derivatives based on the integrated platform.
  • November 2006 - Toyota purchases 5.9% of Isuzu and the two companies agree to study possible business collaboration focusing on the areas of R&D and production of diesel engines, related emissions-control, and other environmental technologies.
  • January 2007 - Isuzu, along with General Motors Companies, release an update to the LCV range, with a 3.0 litre common rail diesel motor, with far more torque and power to its predecessor
  • August 2007 - Isuzu and Toyota agree to develop a 1.6-liter diesel engine for use in Toyota vehicles sold in European markets. Details of development, production and supply of the diesel engine, are still under discussion, but in principle, Isuzu will play the leading role. Production is scheduled to begin around 2012.
  • January 30, 2008 - Isuzu announces complete withdrawal from the US market,[10] effective January 31, 2009. It will continue to provide support and parts. The decision was due to lack of sales.[11] Some of the lack of sales have been blamed on consumer experiences with low quality engines and service.[12] Isuzu had been experiencing a slow decline since the late 1990s. In less than 10 years, they had gone from selling a complete line of cars, trucks, and SUVs, into being a specialized SUV maker, and finally selling only a pair of rebadged, General Motors Trucks.[13] They will continue to sell commercial vehicles in the U.S.[14]
  • December 17, 2008 - Isuzu, Toyota shelve development of clean diesel engine.[15]
  • January 29, 2009 - Isuzu and General Motors announce that they are in talks to transfer the operation of the medium-duty truck production line in Flint, Michigan to Isuzu for a five-year period. In June, however, GM announced that these talks failed to reach an agreement, and GM instead ceased production of the Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC Topkick vehicles on 31 July 2009.[16]

Market presence

Isuzu Gemini with European (Maltese) registration plates
Isuzu NHR (Elf) light truck

In most of Asia and Africa, Isuzu is mostly known for trucks of all sizes, after Isuzu small automobile sales drastically plummeted and Isuzu had to drop all sales of sedans and compact cars in the late 1990s. In the days when Isuzu did sell passenger cars, they were known for focussing on the diesel-engined niche. In 1983, for instance, long before the explosion in diesel sales, diesels represented 63.4% of their passenger car production.[17] In 2009, Isuzu abandoned the United States consumer market due to lack of sales. Isuzu as a corporation has always been primarily a manufacturer of small to medium compact automobiles and commercial trucks of sizes medium duty and larger, but markets around the world show different needs.

Isuzu Motors America discontinued the sale of passenger vehicles in the United States effective January 31, 2009. The company explained to its dealers that it had not been able to secure replacements for the Isuzu Ascender and Isuzu i-Series that would be commercially viable. Isuzu sold 7,098 cars in the year 2007. This action did not affect Isuzu's commercial vehicle or industrial diesel engine operations in the United States.[18] Isuzu has a contract with Budget Truck Rental to manufacture their rental trucks, shared with Ford, GMC, and Navistar International.[19]

On November 7, 2006, Toyota acquired 5.9% of Isuzu, making them the third largest shareholder behind ITOCHU and Mitsubishi Corporation.

In Australia, Isuzu was for many years a major supplier of light commercial and four wheel drive domestic vehicles to Holden (General Motors). However, by 2008, Holden was sourcing few Isuzus. At this time Isuzu began to sell the DMAX under the Isuzu name.

Important car, bus and light truck models

Isuzu CXZ (Giga) heavy truck
Isuzu Journey operated by Citibus (New Zealand)
2005 Isuzu D-max Spacecab Hi-lander in Thailand

Passenger vehicle and SUVs

Commercial vehicles

Race cars

Concept cars

Buses (Philippines)

  • LV314K
  • LV314L
  • CJM470
  • CJM500
  • LT132
  • LV423
  • LV123
  • PABFTR33PLB
  • FTR33P
  • FTR45
  • PABFVR33P

Buses (Thailand)

  • CQA 650 A/T
  • LV223S
  • LV423R
  • LV486R
  • MT113QB

See also

References

  1. ^ "Isuzu.co.jp". Isuzu.co.jp. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  2. ^ a b c Ruiz, Marco (1986). 'The Complete History of the Japanese Car: 1907 to the Present. Rome: ERVIN srl. p. 130. ISBN 0-517-61777-3.
  3. ^ a b Ishikawa, Kenji (2012-05-01), "トラックメーカーアーカイブ: いすゞ自動車のすべて [Truck Manufacturer Archive: Everything Isuzu]", Camion (in Japanese), Tokyo, Japan: Geibun Mooks, p. 98, ISBN 978-4-86396-183-8
  4. ^ "Investor Relations: Company History". Isuzu Motors. Retrieved 2012-08-28.
  5. ^ Ishikawa, p. 7
  6. ^ Murkin, Andy. "Isuzu Hillman Minxes". Andy's Hillman Homepage. Retrieved 2012-08-28.
  7. ^ Isuzu (brochure) (in Japanese), Isuzu Motors, 1967, pp. 8–9, 42.10 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  8. ^ a b c Ruiz, p. 131
  9. ^ Bedwell, Steve (2009). Holden vs Ford: the cars, the culture, the competition. Dulwich Hill, New South Wales: Rockpool. p. 199. ISBN 978-1-921295-17-1.
  10. ^ Bensinger, Ken (January 31, 2008). "Isuzu quitting U.S. car market". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  11. ^ Johnson, Drew (2008-01-30). "Isuzu to leave U.S. market". Leftlanenews.com. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  12. ^ "Consumer complaints about Isuzu - Engine Failure". Consumeraffairs.com. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  13. ^ Neff, John (2008-01-30). "CONFIRMED: Isuzu abandoning U.S. market". Autoblog. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  14. ^ "Isuzu executive says competition helped push it out of North American market - MSNBC Wire Services - MSNBC.com". Cnbc.com. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  15. ^ "Isuzu, Toyota Shelve Development of Clean Diesel Engine | industryweek.com | Industry Week". industryweek.com. 2008-12-17. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
  16. ^ "GM drops medium-duty trucks, opens battery lab | detnews.com | The Detroit News". detnews.com. 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2009-12-04.
  17. ^ Yamaguchi, Jack K. (1984). Lösch, Annamaria (ed.). Technology On Full Boost. Pelham, NY: L'Editrice dell'Automobile LEA/Herald Books. p. 66. ISBN 0-910714-16-9. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  18. ^ Johnson, Drew (2008-01-30). "Isuzu to leave U.S. market". Leftlanenews.com. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  19. ^ "Company Info - Budget Truck Rental". Budgettruck.com. 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  20. ^ InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report. "Indiana Facility to Produce Isuzu Commercial Vehicles - Newsroom - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick". Insideindianabusiness.com. Retrieved 2012-02-05. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  21. ^ "1991 Isuzu Como". www.carstyling.ru. 2007-07-02. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
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