Isuzu Motors is a leading manufacturer of industrial vehicles and SUVs

The Japanese company Isuzu (Isuzu Motors Ltd) is a leading global manufacturer of trucks and buses, also specializing in the production of small motorcycles and SUVs. The name correctly reads "Isuzu". The company is a well-known engine manufacturer and supplies its products to the conveyors of leading automotive manufacturers, in particular, FORD. Assembly plants are dispersed by markets, but the main base is in Japan.

Isuzu Motors has a whopping annual revenue of almost $14 billion a year, but a small profit of $558 million. This leaves an imprint on the company's activity in the market and determines a conservative development policy. The composition of the shareholders is international, it includes GM, Toyota, one of the Japanese banks and a stock company.

(*) Pictured is Isuzu DMax, 2020.

History of appearance - remember their traditions

The beginning of history begins with the formation of an enterprise in 1916 for the production of cars. Cars for 2-4 places for personal use were the first to leave the assembly shops; at the end of 1918, trucks left the shops. The production of affordable transport equipment expanded, it was produced under the brand name "Sumida". In 1933, a merger with Dot Automobile takes place. The new legal entity was called Automobile Industries. The first truck that came out received a new sonorous name Isuzu, after the name of one of the Japanese rivers.

In 1934, the company opens a research and development area in the field of diesel fuel units under the direction of the president of the company, Tomonosuke Kano. Already in 1936, an air-cooled engine was made. This engineering discovery was the largest technical discovery in the field of diesel units in the Land of the Rising Sun.

In 1937, the company merged with two more manufacturers, resulting in a new legal entity, the Tokyo Automobile Plant.

Post-war achievements

After the war, the parent company starts producing trucks with petrol and diesel engines. In 1949, the company receives its current name Isuzu Motors Limited.

After the war, Isuzu Motors continued its engineering efforts in the field of diesel engines. A water-cooled unit with a combustion chamber with direct fuel injection was developed. This engine became the prototype of many modern units.

The first car Isuzu Motors released in conjunction with the British design company Rootes. But it was just a copy of Hillman's English. However, the company soon balances the weight of its own developments and produces an economical diesel truck with good consumer characteristics.

In the 70s, diesel engines for passenger cars began to be produced, for which Isuzu Motors engineers received an award from the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers.

After the opening of the Fujisawa plant, the company is launching the production of the Bellett car. Florian was produced at a new production base in Thailand. In the same period, mass production of a 4-stroke diesel engine with direct injection began. And a little later, the 117 Coupe came out. In 1974, after the sale of GM shares, the GEMINI car was jointly created. In 1980, a number of interesting models are released, setting the tone for the market.

SUVs

The first Isuzu Motors SUV appeared in 1975. The prototype was the Rodeo Bighorn. The released car is very similar to the Mitsubishi Pajero, but the latter is more technically interesting. In 1989, the MU (Amigo) SUV was shown with a rear-wheel drive base that was revolutionary for the mass segment.

Increase in GM share

In the 1990s, GM's share was increased to 49%. After that, the assortment range is expanding. It includes new SUVs, minivans, semi-truck vans. Cars with a total weight of up to 3.5 tons begin to be produced. This model range becomes the base for a modern company. It is complemented by an expanded production of buses and trucks. With these products, the manufacturer enters the global market, where it successfully holds the leading events to this day. At the same time, the presence in different countries is expanding.

Co-production with DMAX

In 2000, Isuzu Motors begins cooperation with DMAX, Ltd. As a result, diesel engines begin to be produced. Improved power characteristics are conducive to an increase in demand for freight transport. The result is a company General Motors Isuzu Commercial Truck, LLC.. Today, the company is the largest manufacturer of eco-engines that provide a reduced load on nature.

The Duramax 6600 engines are one of the best in history according to Ward's Communications. Isuzu engines are successfully installed on GM vehicles. Mutually beneficial cooperation further strengthens the 30-year cooperation of the companies.

In order to improve financial performance, Isuzu's light vehicle manufacturing operations are planned to be relocated to Thailand in the near future. The company plans to focus more on the production of engines and position itself in this profitable segment.

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