Osamu Suzuki, president of Suzuki Motors, is quite worried as to what the Detroit domino effect may have on the smaller Japanese brands.
His feeling is that it could result in fewer Japanese car manufacturers. Smaller brands like Suzuki, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Mazda and Isuzu could be impacted in a way in which they may not survive; at least as we currently know them, or at all.
Says Suzuki: "There is a time-lag between what is happening with the Big Three US carmakers and the impact that will have in Japan. It is as if tsunami waves are rolling toward Japanese shores. I believe a real wave will hit us around July or August next year, with car sales hitting rock bottom."
He went on to say that the world was "entering a period in which more than ten Japanese carmakers could be consolidated into a Japan Big Three."
Full story here.
Related story here: Toyota and Honda looking at tweaking supply lines (here) to avoid possible disruptions.
Categories: Auto Industry,Honda,Isuzu,Mazda,Mitsubishi,Subaru,Suzuki,Toyota
Last week rumors were out there about Isuzu possibly taking over the medium-duty truck operations from the General (GM talking to Isuzu about selling medium-duty truck division?). Now there is word that Isuzu is not interested.
So, that makes it two strikes against GM, as both Navistar and Isuzu have rejected the idea. I would think this no-go by Isuzu is especially tough, as both companies have had a long-standing relationship, especially in the commercial truck market segment.
Full story here.
Categories: Auto Industry,Chevrolet,GMC,General Motors,Isuzu,Trucks
It looks like GM and Isuzu may be in talks about the General selling its medium/heavy-duty line up to the Japanese firm; at least this is the latest rumor that is circulating. This is after the deal with International fell through last month (Navistar backs out of GM medium-duty truck deal).
So far the only comment has come from Isuzu, in which they state that they know nothing about this. Isuzu spokeswoman Yukiko Okazaki said GM had not contacted the company about such a deal. "We will begin studying an offer if we receive one," she said
Full story here.
Categories: Chevrolet,GMC,General Motors,Isuzu,Trucks
The idea is pretty simple. Take one Class 4-5 Isuzu diesel truck, yank the engine and replace it with a 00 kw, UQM liquid-cooled, DC brushless electric motor that receives juice from a 50 kw, recyclable lithium polymer battery pack that is then placed between the truck's frame rails.
The Zero Truck uses the stock GM automatic transmission and weighs in about 600 pounds more than before the conversion. The trucks come with an onboard charger and the battery pack takes 8 hours on 220 volts--or 12 hours--on 110 volts, for a complete charge. Best of all it costs about $3 to recharge.
Full story here.
Categories: Green Tech,Isuzu,Trucks
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...
Continue reading Isuzu to quit light-vehicle market in U.S..
Categories: Isuzu
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...
Continue reading Toyota to outsource diesel engines to Isuzu.
Categories: Diesels,Honda,Isuzu,Toyota
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...
Continue reading 2007 New York Auto Show: Isuzu? Hello....
Categories: All Auto Shows,Auto Industry,Isuzu,New York Auto Show,Trends
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...
Categories: Auto Industry,Isuzu,Toyota
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...
Continue reading Isuzu adding two more pickup models for 2007.
Categories: Isuzu,Trucks
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...
Continue reading Will 2007 be the last year for Isuzu here in the USA?.
Categories: Isuzu,Trends
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...
Continue reading GM sells Isuzu shares for $300 million.
Categories: General Motors,Isuzu,Trends
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...
Continue reading GM considering sell their share of Isuzu.
Categories: General Motors,Isuzu,Trends
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...
Continue reading Isuzu drops 7-passenger Ascender.
Categories: General Motors,Isuzu