Isuzu to End Car Sales In North America in 2009

[Yefim]

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1201...googlenews_wsj

Isuzu to End Car Sales
In North America in 2009
By KATHY SHWIFF
January 30, 2008 4:12 p.m.

Isuzu Motors Ltd. said it would discontinue distributing new passenger vehicles in North America, effective Jan. 31, 2009.

The move is the result of General Motors Corp. ending production of the Ascender sport utility vehicle and the i-290 and i-370 pickup trucks. GM has recorded no Isuzu sales since July, while 2007 sales dropped 50% to 7,906.

"It has always been our intention to remain in the U.S. market," said Terry Maloney, president of Isuzu's North American operations. "However, we were unable to secure any commercially viable replacements for these vehicles."

Isuzu will continue to honor all product warranties and roadside assistance programs. It also will maintain its owner-relations call center.

To assure long-term service to its customers, Isuzu will offer all current U.S. Isuzu vehicle dealers the opportunity to continue on as service dealerships. Mr. Maloney said, "Our parts and service operation will remain fully functional. We expect the vast majority of our dealers will continue as service-only dealers."

Isuzu has had a presence in North America for decades, and sales topped 100,000 annually in the 1990s. But consumer demand waned, and GM ultimately sold its 8% stake in Isuzu two years ago.

[navistar]

I'm calling Merlin right now with a large parts order!!!

[Ldub]

Sweet...should be able to pick up whole vehicles cheap as parts pigs when the majority panic & bail.

[mdwyer]

I wonder if this applies to their commercial vehicles. My employer's delivery trucks are almost exclusively Isuzus. They fit in well with our hippie mentality. We're even trying out some hybrid models.

http://www.corporateexpress.com/pres...ss_012108.html

[Ldub]

I wonder if this applies to their commercial vehicles. My employer's delivery trucks are almost exclusively Isuzus. They fit in well with our hippie mentality. We're even trying out some hybrid models.

http://www.corporateexpress.com/pres...ss_012108.html

The article states "passenger vehicles". I'm guessing Isuzu will continue to maintain a strong presence in the light commercial category.

[JAFO]

What do you expect when you only sell two models and they are both available under the GM brand.

Although, I was hopping after the ties with GM was over that they would release a new product line

A new version of the impulse, trooper, and rodeo would have been great. Maybe even a mini eco friendly car.