The Isuzu name is recognised worldwide for its leadership and innovation, particularly in the field of commercial vehicles manufacture, and diesel engine technology. Throughout a vehicle production history going back 85 years Isuzu vehicles have been engineered with passion and dedication to push the limits of capability while redefining the perceptions of value.
Isuzu can trace its ancestry back to 1893 and the establishment of the Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Company.
As the name suggests this was a heavy engineering company. In 1922, under a joint venture agreement with British auto manufacturer, Wolseley Motor Ltd., the company began production of the Wolseley A9 passenger car.
Over the next eight decades Isuzu experienced a steady rise in prominence to become Japan’s best-selling truck manufacturer and a major innovative force in the global automotive industry.
The Isuzu name first appeared in 1934 on a mass produced product range. The name comes from the Isuzu river that runs close to Japan’s oldest religious shrine, the Isa Shrine, in Mie prefecture. The name Isuzu Motors was adopted in 1949.
Over the many decades of its existence Isuzu has accrued a wealth of experience in automotive research and development.
Today Isuzu enjoys a position as an established world-class manufacturer of light and heavy commercial vehicles and pick-ups. The company uses advanced technology to deliver real-world benefits to the international vehicle market. Every Isuzu is designed and built with a focus fon unctionality and durability.
Isuzu is an established force in China, the Middle East, African and ASEAN nations and has a prominent position in its market sectors in North America.
In these markets reliability, durability, and overall fuel and operating efficiency are the keys to Isuzu’s success in these highly competitive commercial vehicle markets. This success is reflected in the solid reputation of Isuzu vehicles in the ultra-competitive South African commercial vehicle market.
While General Motors has divested of its shareholding in Isuzu, the two companies retain close links and ongoing relationships. In June of 2006 Isuzu and General Motors formed a joint venture company – LCV Platform Engineering Corporation (LPEC) – for the development of future light commercial vehicle platforms.
