RIP Isuzu USA

[exitspeed]

Kinda sucks, but not a biggy. I really liked a couple of their vehicles. One as the Vehicross and the other was the Axiom. Both were pretty radical designs for their times. Hmmm, I wonder what Axioms go for right now?
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/suv/112_9905_road_test_1999_isuzu_vehicross_ironman_ed ition_01l+1999_isuzu_vehicross_ironman_edition_+fr ont_side_view.jpg
http://isuzu.pro-motors.ru/content/_large/isuzu-883-1.jpg
http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/2004/Isuzu/100352407/2004.isuzu.axiom.27598-396x249.jpg

ERRITOS, CA -- 01/30/08 -- Isuzu Motors America, Inc. announced today that, effective January 31, 2009, it would discontinue distributing new Isuzu passenger vehicles in North America. The discontinuation of passenger vehicles results from the prospective cessation of production by General Motors Corporation of the Ascender sport utility vehicle and the i-290 and i-370 pickup trucks.

"It has always been our intention to remain in the U.S. market," said Terry Maloney, president and COO. "However, we were unable to secure any commercially viable replacements for these vehicles."

Although Isuzu will cease supplying passenger vehicles in North America, it will continue to stand behind its customers and dealers here for years to come. Specifically, Isuzu will continue to honor all product warranties and roadside assistance programs and will maintain its owner-relations call center. In addition, to assure long-term service to its customers, Isuzu will be offering all current, U.S. Isuzu vehicle dealers the opportunity to continue on as service dealerships for Isuzu. "Let me make it crystal clear," Maloney said. "Isuzu will discontinue the sales of vehicles only. Our parts and service operation will remain fully functional. We expect the vast majority of our dealers will continue as service-only dealers."

End Release.

[lucky7]

i always like the troopers. but their cars suck nowadays. nothing even cool to look at. ah well. survival of the fittest i suppose.

[SW20Racer]

kablam! http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.diseno-art.com/images/Isuzu_Nagisa.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.diseno-art.com/encyclopedia/strange_vehicles/isuzu_nagisa.html&h=300&w=400&sz=39&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=OcKrzKgxBg09MM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Disuzu%2B%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3 Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADBF too bad it remained a concept...

and the pup was always a cool lil truck

[Taniguchi_Is_#1]

http://my.reset.jp/~inu/ProductsDataBase/Products/ISUZU/PIAZZA/PIAZZA-05.jpg


a guy where i worked during my high school years had one of these, a isuzu piazza turbo. kinda cool. but looked like poop. RIP isuzu, i would never buy your cars or trucks, but you were japanese, which made you better than hyundai.

[SW20Racer]

poopish looking indeed but that interior is PIYIMP and i like the fender mirrors. i'd rock it like a subaru brat

[TOMKAIRA93]

kablam! http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.diseno-art.com/images/Isuzu_Nagisa.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.diseno-art.com/encyclopedia/strange_vehicles/isuzu_nagisa.html&h=300&w=400&sz=39&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=OcKrzKgxBg09MM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Disuzu%2B%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3 Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADBF too bad it remained a concept...

and the pup was always a cool lil truck

I'm glad it did, it looks like crap!

[alindeman1989]

I have always like Isuzu but lately there cars have looked like crap and i cant remember the last time i saw a new Isuzu, it was there time.

[SINxSELEKTAH]

good job GM!

[exitspeed]

good job GM!

GM sold it's remaining shares in Isuzu a couple years ago. At that time they had less then a 10% share in Isuzu.

The brand just never caught on here. No surprise to me.

Edit: Just found the article. Long expected, GM just anounced that they were selling off their Isuzu shares.
Apr 11, 2006
Snippet: TOKYO -- Cash-strapped General Motors Corp. is selling the shares it holds in truckmaker Isuzu to two Japanese trading companies and a bank for about $300 million to fund its turnaround in North America, the U.S. automaker said Tuesday.

Disposing of the Isuzu stake marks the latest retreat for a company besieged by staggering losses, labor problems and mounting competition from Asian automakers. The move also highlights GM's rapid pullout from Japanese partnerships it has built since the 1970s.

GM said last month that it was selling the 7.9 percent stake it held in Isuzu Motors Ltd., or about 90 million shares, but will keep its business partnership with Isuzu, such as joint development and manufacturing of trucks and diesel engines.

[Pank]

i hope vehicross prices drop, those things are SO gnarly looking

[exitspeed]

There's only 3 for sale on Autotrader with in a 100 miles of me. Cheapest one is $5000 with 141k.

[SINxSELEKTAH]

GM sold it's remaining shares in Isuzu a couple years ago. At that time they had less then a 10% share in Isuzu.

The brand just never caught on here. No surprise to me.

Edit: Just found the article. Long expected, GM just anounced that they were selling off their Isuzu shares.
Apr 11, 2006
Snippet: TOKYO -- Cash-strapped General Motors Corp. is selling the shares it holds in truckmaker Isuzu to two Japanese trading companies and a bank for about $300 million to fund its turnaround in North America, the U.S. automaker said Tuesday.

Disposing of the Isuzu stake marks the latest retreat for a company besieged by staggering losses, labor problems and mounting competition from Asian automakers. The move also highlights GM's rapid pullout from Japanese partnerships it has built since the 1970s.

GM said last month that it was selling the 7.9 percent stake it held in Isuzu Motors Ltd., or about 90 million shares, but will keep its business partnership with Isuzu, such as joint development and manufacturing of trucks and diesel engines.

so they did a better job a couple of years ago lol. domino downfall till now?

[Pank]

There's only 3 for sale on Autotrader with in a 100 miles of me. Cheapest one is $5000 with 141k.


gah, if they drop to like 1,500, it would make a rad tire hauler with the back cut out

[Phlip]

Does this mean they'll NEVER release a successor to the Impulse with the "suspension tuned by Lotus"?
This is some BULLSHIT!!! I am sure that someone on the internet is making an angry blog about that RIGHT now.

[onehundredoctane]

surprised it wasn't mentioned that GM uses Isuzu diesel engines in pretty much every heavy duty truck they make, I'm pretty sure the Duramax Diesels' are Isuzu engines.

[SW20Racer]

a little off topic but i was always a fan of "bill's isuzu performance". bill taught me ALOT about exhaust systems. he went out of business years ago, seems there just wasnt enough interest in the impulse or any of the other platforms that were offered and/or shared with the impulse.

the vehicross did rock though, i just never put much effort into researching how to make it perform/handle better. i probably should have though. i know its meant to be an SUV but i always thought it would look good lowered. make it into more of a track car.

[S14Josh]

Axioms look cool as shit,

But the gas mileage BLOWS. Its seriously the worst i've ever seen.

[KnightRyderx2]

Ohh well... Really wouldnt think twice about it...

[SimpleS14]

I thought they were dead for the longest time already.

VehiCross has to be the rarest SUV in the states.

[Antihero983]

the old troopers are fucking tanks. they will go through just about everything, and even tip over when you turn too fast lol.

didn't they make the impulse turbo?

[SW20Racer]

didn't they make the impulse turbo?

yes they did. the body wasnt bad looking either

heres an engine pic http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/521000-521999/521374_29_full.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.robietherobot.com/storm/geo_storm_mods_DOHC.htm&h=453&w=575&sz=53&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=iXmAPZt6lQoGNM:&tbnh=106&tbnw=134&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dturbo%2Bimpulse%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1 %26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADBF

scroll down a lil and see the turbo size http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/521000-521999/521374_112_full.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.robietherobot.com/Storm/geo_storm_mods_turbo.htm&h=431&w=575&sz=128&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=LTEKRcBrd7qRpM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=134&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dturbo%2Bimpulse%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1 %26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADBF

and heres a '91 body pic http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.supratrucks.com/pictures/Impulse/Isuzu%252001922222.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.supratrucks.com/&h=298&w=448&sz=106&hl=en&start=11&um=1&tbnid=4sPBMZPda7TamM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dturbo%2Bimpulse%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1 %26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADBF

awd, lightweight and turbo cant argue with that.

and PHLIP, the '91 posted above is the one with the lotus tuned suspension. theres always been a soft spot in my heart for the impulse, and saturn 3 door coupes and 91-96 saturn coupes. wrong wheel drive or not.

edit: isuzu impulse and geo storm are the same in case someone wants to take on a project

[Phlip]

heres an engine pic http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/521000-521999/521374_29_full.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.robietherobot.com/storm/geo_storm_mods_DOHC.htm&h=453&w=575&sz=53&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=iXmAPZt6lQoGNM:&tbnh=106&tbnw=134&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dturbo%2Bimpulse%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1 %26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADBF

scroll down a lil and see the turbo size http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/521000-521999/521374_112_full.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.robietherobot.com/Storm/geo_storm_mods_turbo.htm&h=431&w=575&sz=128&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=LTEKRcBrd7qRpM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=134&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dturbo%2Bimpulse%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1 %26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADBF

and heres a '91 body pic http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.supratrucks.com/pictures/Impulse/Isuzu%252001922222.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.supratrucks.com/&h=298&w=448&sz=106&hl=en&start=11&um=1&tbnid=4sPBMZPda7TamM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dturbo%2Bimpulse%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1 %26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADBF

awd, lightweight and turbo cant argue with that.

and PHLIP, the '91 posted above is the one with the lotus tuned suspension. theres always been a soft spot in my heart for the impulse, and saturn 3 door coupes and 91-96 saturn 3 door coupes. wrong wheel drive or not.

edit: isuzu impulse and geo storm are the same in case someone wants to take on a project

I was only joking, kinda messing with the people who start a new "S16 SILVIA!!!" thread every week. I actually kinda wanted an impulse at some point before I bought my S14 in 2001, it is one of those cars that, if I had found one in decent shape and running order before I found the S14, none of you would know me... There's about 3 of those cars. I would still own all of them, but none would displace my S13 though.

[TOMKAIRA93]

I had an Impulse. It was my high school graduation present from my dad. LOL It was nice and I miss it. LOL

[Helghast]

Isuzu had the best commercials.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1FE-XurEfQo

[exitspeed]

Isuzu had the best commercials.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1FE-XurEfQo

That might be the best car commercial ever. :2f2f:

I remember the year the VehiCross came out and seeing it at the auto show for the first time. That was the first production car that I can remember that had body color matched plastic as interior cues. I loved it as a design element.

[axiomatik]

That's kind of sad. Back in the day the Rodeo was the #1 selling import SUV, they sold those things like crazy, and even Honda licensed it. Remember the Passport? Back when I was a kid I always thought the Amigo was coolest vehicle, I always dreamed about getting one once I was old enough to drive. Too bad the last 5 years they have been relegated to just selling rebadged GM trucks.

[codyace]

surprised it wasn't mentioned that GM uses Isuzu diesel engines in pretty much every heavy duty truck they make, I'm pretty sure the Duramax Diesels' are Isuzu engines.

This is somethign I wonder about as well.

The release says just vehicle sales, but can a company survive alone on just engine/powretrain production?

[exitspeed]

This is somethign I wonder about as well.

The release says just vehicle sales, but can a company survive alone on just engine/powretrain production?

Doesn't Isuzi exist as a bigger company in Japan?

[qt_240]

I love my trooper.. Aka.. part hauler.. bought back in 97( its a 95) has about 182,000 and is still running strong..

[jrbump]

GEO Storm FTMFWdoe!

Anyway, wtf is Joe gonna do for work now?

[axiomatik]

I'm sure they will still be selling their commercial trucks here in the states. they are quite popular.

[RedStage]

Loved those damn commercials :)

[onehundredoctane]

This is somethign I wonder about as well.

The release says just vehicle sales, but can a company survive alone on just engine/powretrain production?


ever heard of Cummins diesel? they make the diesels for Dodge, pretty sure (maybe wrong) all that Cummins does is diesel engines for automotive and industrial applications.