No surprise here. The only question was when, and now that's been answered: January 31, 2009.

Frankly, I'm surprised they're waiting that long. I guess it takes that long to wind down operations.

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.

Full story here at Autoblog.

Here's Inside Line's take: Isuzu To Quit U.S. Market

Here's AutoObserver's take: Isuzu: Out of Business Next Year

Here's Alternate Route's take: Jan 31, 2008 - Gesundheit & Goodbye

Forbes.com and freep.com (Detroit Free Press) are reporting that Toyota is hooking up with Isuzu to help with diesel production. The diesel engines are believed to be Euro-spec Toyotas. However, Toyota is also keeping a close eye on Honda, which is about to launch diesels here in the USA. So, I think it's safe to say—if the need arises, Toyota needs to be ready to also offer those engines here. The Isuzu tie-up puts them in a good position to do so, if need be.

Toyota owns a 5.9 percent stake in Isuzu. Isuzu formed a capital alliance with Toyota in November after the tie-up with General Motors Corp. dissolved in April 2006.

Full story here and here.

Here's AutoObserver's take: Toyota Makes Diesel Deal with Isuzu, Report Says
 

I just went to the New York auto show exhibitor web site (link here), as I was curious as to whether Isuzu (you remember them don't you?) had anything new to show. Well, not only did they not have any new models on tap to help bolster its case for staying alive here—they didn't even have a display! That's right there is no official Isuzu presence at this year's show.

Prediction: Isuzu will announce before the end of the year that it will be pulling out of the U.S. market.

Toyota and Isuzu have signed a memorandum of understanding stating they will start studying the synergic effects of business collaboration.

Not sure where this might lead, as it seems to me that Isuzu, from a product standpoint, offers pretty much the same types of offerings as does Toyota. In any event this is good news for Isuzu I would think, as on the surface, this appears to be more of a benefit for them than for Toyota.

Here's a news update: Toyota buys 5.9% of Isuzu.

Isuzu has just announced that they will be adding two 2WD pickups to their current model lineup: an i-370 4x2 Extended Cab and an i-370 4x2 Crew Cab.

Snippet: In announcing the new models, J. Terry Maloney, president and COO of Isuzu Motors America, said, "Some of our customers have said they needed the room of a crew cab but without the off-highway capability of four-wheel drive. And some of our customers have asked for the extra power of a five-cylinder engine in the versatile extended-cab body style. These new models address both of those needs and make our line of Isuzu Pickups more appealing to more consumers than ever."

Does anyone really care? Year-to-date sales, as of July are 5,430, which is -35.7% over the same period last year. Does Isuzu really think adding these 2WD trucks will help reverse their sales slide here?

I've always had a soft spot for Isuzu. We owned a red 4-door Trooper when they first came out; 1984 I believe. Even though it was about a sophisticated and comfortable as a John Deere tractor, I really loved that thing, 2.3L four-cylinder and all... I took it out on the beaches of Assateague Island over on Virginia's eastern shore countless times. The wife and I hauled our then young kids up to New England, New York, and all up and down the eastern seaboard, and the Trooper was, well... a Trooper. It never complained—nor did we. Those were great times...

Now word comes that Isuzu sold just 638 vehicles in May, down 48 percent from last year. How long can this continue? Does anyone here think there will be an Isuzu here past 2007, as Inside Line is hinting? I don't, and I think it's a real shame. This is a text-book example of how lack of product can kill a brand.

Long expected, GM just anounced that they were selling off their Isuzu shares.

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.

General Motors is in talks about the possible sale of its stake in Japanese sports utility vehicle maker Isuzu. GM currently holds about 8% of Isuzu's stock, worth an estimated 38 billion yen ($320m).

If this isn't the kiss of death for Isuzu car business here in the USA, I don't know what is. It's a shame, as I always thought Isuzu put out a good product, or at least they used to, when Isuzus were, well... "Isuzus."

Isuzu drops 7-passenger Ascender. This was to be expected, as GM recently announced that they were dropping the long-wheelbase Trailblazer and Envoy models.

So that means Isuzu will have to limp forward with the 5-passenger
Ascender and the i280/i350 pickups. Anybody willing to bet that Isuzu
will still be in the U.S. market this time next year?