The Isuzu name is intrinsically linked to diesel engine technology. For over 67 years the company has devoted a major portion of its research and development resources to refining diesel engine technology. Today the company is recognised as a pioneer in the field of diesel engine development in Japan.
Isuzu is ranked amongst the world’s largest producers of diesel engines with over 16 million units produced through 2003. The company has developed an enviable reputation for the performance and exceptional economy of its advanced diesel engines. Currently Isuzu is pursuing the development of new cutting-edge diesel technologies that are aimed at raising performance and durability to even higher levels, improving thermal efficiency and reducing diesel emissions.
The first Isuzu diesel engine, an air-cooled automotive unit, was produced in 1936. Since that time the company has responded to ever changing market and environmental demands through technological improvement as a pace setter in diesel engine development. Technologies embraced by Isuzu include turbocharged and intercooled engines, direct injection fuel systems, electronically controlled common rail high-pressure fuel injection, and the use of advanced materials including ceramics.
The excellent reputation for reliability and durability that is part of the Isuzu diesel heritage has led to Isuzu being named the prime supplier of diesel engines for Japanese Antarctic exploration since 1956
This reputation has also led to the company being embraced as a technical partner for the supply of diesel engines on an OEM basis to other automotive and industrial equipment suppliers and led to Isuzu being ranked amongst the world’s largest diesel engine manufacturers along with the Peugeot-Citroen group and Volkswagen. Isuzu currently manufactures a range of more than 60 diesel engines used in automotive and industrial applications. The smallest, a 1 litre engine, is used in a mini-backhoe, whilst the largest, a 30 litre mammoth engine, is used in heavy duty tractors.
In the Japanese industrial engine market Isuzu is the clear leader in sales of diesel engines. Some 120 companies rely on Isuzu to power their products, including industrial giant, Hitachi. The company has a more than 50% share of the market for engines for diesel powered hydraulic shovels and forklifts and is prominent throughout the construction machinery field where Isuzu’s efforts to continue to reduce both noise and pollution from its industrial engines is recognised.
In the United States Isuzu supplies world renowned equipment manufacturers such as Ingersoll-Rand and Thermo King. The latter company, a leader in transport refrigeration equipment has purchased more than 500 000 Isuzu diesel engines since 1970. In Europe, Isuzu has established a sales and service network to cater for industrial customers in 13 countries.
In 2001 the wholly owned Polish subsidiary of Isuzu, Isuzu Motors Polska Sp. Z.o.o., began the production of a marine diesel engine for Mercury MerCruiser, the world’s largest marine engine company. Under its agreement with Mercury, Isuzu supplies small outboard and inboard diesel engines to the company.
While Isuzu has an inherent focus on diesel engine technology it also applies its engineering talent to a range of powerful, efficient and technologically advanced petrol engines, one of these the magnificent 3,5 litre V6 featured in the top of the range Isuzu pick-up.
