Breaking News: Isuzu Abandons the US Market!

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Isuzu has officially announced that the automaker is going to leave the US market on January 31, 2009.

This news shouldn’t be too surprising for anyone that has noticed the automaker’s current lineup. Currently Isuzu only sells two vehicles, the i-Series pickup and Ascender SUV, both of which are rebadged GM vehicles. Since GM has no plans to replace the Colorado/ Canyon or Chevy Trailblazer, the two Isuzu badged vehicles are dead.

This news is sad for a company that once had a lot going for it. This is back when Isuzu still produced cars such as the Impulse and Stylus.

Here are a few of Isuzu’s past vehicles to help you remember the automaker:

Isuzu Impulse
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Isuzu Stylus
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Isuzu Vehicross
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Isuzu Rodeo
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Isuzu Trooper
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Isuzu Axiom
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PRESS RELEASE:

Isuzu to End North American SUV Sales
Isuzu Motors Limited (President Susumu Hosoi; “Isuzu”) has decided to end its North American SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) new vehicle sales business as of January 31. 2009.

This decision to end the SUV new vehicle sales business was made because there are no forecasts for continuation of the SUV business through introduction of a next-generation vehicle model or a Isuzu-made model to replace the GM-OEM vehicle currently being marketed (Ascender and i-series pick-up trucks). The SUV parts and service business will continue.

Currently, Isuzu’s North American business comprises the three businesses of CV (trucks), SUV and PT (diesel engines and components).

In the CV business, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) carries out sales primarily of light duty vehicle as N Series (ELF in Japan). In the SUV business, Isuzu Motors America (ISZA) carries out sales of OEM vehicle from GM, and in the PT business, ISZA carries out sales of industrial diesel engines and components. With this decision to end SUV operations, Isuzu’s North American business will focus on the CV and PT businesses.

Isuzu’s North American SUV business began with the establishment of American Isuzu Motors Inc. in 1980 (AIMI later merged with ISZA), and in 1999 sales surpassed 100,000 units annually. In 2002, Isuzu introduced GM-OEM vehicle. However, by 2007, the total number of units sold fell to around 7,000 units for the year.

In the CV business, Isuzu last year implemented measures to strengthen its North American sales structure as part of its efforts to strengthen cab over truck sales globally, and aided in part by the expansion of CV units sold in North America, in the mid-term management plan that commences this year, Isuzu is targeting overseas truck sales of 350,000 units.