http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...8/newsletter02

(Don't let the door hit you in the butt Isuzu)

 

Been in the works a long time. Their commercial division will still operate as it's a strong brand there. Never saw the point to their light truck, many of which were GM designs. Interesting note - pre S-10 Chevy's small truck was the LUV, which was a re-badged Isuzu. And Ford's pre-Ranger was a Mazda B2000 called the Courier, which was my first truck in high school. How the tables turned for both of these manufacturers.

 

Sucks if you own an Izuzu eh? Can't believe they only sold 7000 vehicles in 2007 . And I can't believe I know a couple of people that own them.

 

In 1970 when Izuzu starrted importing trucks top the us They were made by Izuzu badged as Cheveys, The same with mazda (Ford Coruier) and Mitsu (Ram 50). Now it is completly reversed the mitsu is a Dakota the Mazda is a Ford Ranger and the Izuzu is a Colrodo. We have come full circle.

 

so Izuzus best accomplishment is the D-Max ... interesting

 

Or their medium duty trucks....

 

I wonder if this includes the NPR and GMC cabover diesels? Those things are everywhere (including my driveway).

They also sell a very nice diesel minivan in China. Too bad no small diesels are available here.


John

 

I'm not surprised. Their dealership support is abysmal. My brother bought an isuzu amigo brand new in 98. It spun a rod bearing at 90k miles. the dealerships gave no support for parts, told him it was a non-rebuildable engine, and that he needed to buy a new one from them for something like 9K. he found a shop to rebuild it, but getting parts was a pain, and the whole process cost almost $7k. They were told by the dealer that they couldn't get a new crank, so they welded the old one. Same rod spun again in less than 20k, and then he found out that there WERE new cranks available, but his dealer just didn't know how to get one, or didn't want to. Ended up selling it for $500. The second time it went, he had one payment left.

Someone tried to give me an old trooper once. All it needed was a new master cylinder, and I could not find one ANYWHERE, for any price.

 

One of my first diesel trucks was an Izuzu Pup long bed 2x4 5spd non-turbo. That truck got 34mpg consistantly. On weekends I short hauled stuff for my fathers company. Sometimes upwards of 2K lbs in the back. 600 miles round trip! It consistantly got 25mpg doing that! Granted I needed to turn off the headlights before a hill so it didn't see it. But that truck went over 500K miles without so much as normal services. My dad bought it from me when I wanted to get rid of it and put it in his fleet of short distance deliveries. To add the the one he already picked up because he was so impressed with mine!

I would love to have that same type truck to commute in now days!

 

It sure is sad news to see that Isuzu is in this situation, while back in circa about 1980 they were getting ready to be a great brand in this country as far as selling many different models including diesel engines. Of course some of the best passenger vehicles they make are not available in our country, but overseas they are. The U.S. has been lacking a variety of diesel passenger vehicle applications since the start of the 90's without a doubt. The last small diesel pickup you could buy in this country from a manufacturer was the Isuzu PUP and Ford Ranger in 1987. Since then we haven't got jack and it sure does suck. And Tee, I enjoyed reading your post about the PUP you used to own. That makes for another many of a story I've heard about these old, reliable Isuzu diesel pickups. Going over 500K miles without much mechanical work is outstanding and it certainly isn't the first one I've heard do it. You are out in Utah and I know a few guys out that way that own these PUP diesels. One guy owns his own biodiesel business, has had good success with it, and owns an 84 PUP diesel too. If you're anxious to own another one do visit www.isuzupup.com It's a great website, I'm a member there, and you'll find a lot of good diesel talk there especially pertaining to repair and rebuilding of the diesels. My first vehicle was a 1982 Chevy LUV diesel and I still own it. Past the fact they aren't horsepower machines, these trucks are some of the most reliable vehicles you'll ever drive. Hopefully Isuzu will come back with there own design small diesel pickup to the U.S. in a few years. It be great to take a look at one at a dealership!

Salvy

 

those old izusu diesels were awesome engines. For a while my brother was trying to figure out if he could find a bolt in diesel to put in his broken amigo, since he loved the car so much. He finally gave up. that would have been a sweet rig with a little turbodiesel in it, instead of that goofy all aluminum v6.

While he was picking up his car from the shop after the rebuild, another one came in with the same rod knock sound. Also low mileage.

 

Remember this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic0UejzZDZ8

 

Well said!

 

Reports have it that the circle is about to go a bit further.... Nissan and Chrysler are working on a deal that would have Dodge fullsize trucks rebadged as Nissans, and Nissan mid size trucks rebadged as Dakotas.

 

Actually, Isuzu is known as one of the worlds largest industrial diesel suppliers, making literally millions of diesels in an array of sizes.

http://www.isuzuengines.com/

The fact that GM chose them to partner on the Duramax was very logical. The design, not so logical.