Isuzu's origins trace back to 1916, when Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd. planned to cooperate with Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Company to build automobiles. In 1918, a technical cooperation with Wolseley Motors Limited began, granting exclusive rights to produce and sell Wolseley vehicles in East Asia from knock-down kits. The first Japan-produced passenger car, a Wolseley model, the Fifteen A9 15/40 HP, was completed in 1919 at the Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipyard. The Wolseley sourced CP truck followed in 1921, with 550 built by 1927.
Following the 1923 Kanto earthquake, which disrupted Japan's rail infrastructure, Isuzu sought to contribute to reconstruction by producing locally built construction and heavy-duty vehicles, inspired by imports from GMC and Ford. In 1927, the company introduced the 2-ton load capacity "Sumida P-type truck" and the 1-ton "Sumida M-type No. 1 bus". In 1929, IHI Corporation separated its manufacturing business, merging with DAT Automobile Manufacturing Inc. and becoming Jidosha Kogyo Co., Ltd. The company's products were marketed as "Sumida" and "Chiyoda". In 1934, the Tsurumi Factory opened, and in 1937, the company was reorganized as Tokyo Automobile Industries Co., Ltd. with a capital of ¥1,000,000.
During this period, Isuzu became a primary manufacturer for the Imperial Japanese Army, alongside Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and aligned with the Yasuda Zaibatsu. In 1942, Hino Heavy Industries was split off from Tokyo Automobile Industries. In 1949, the company was renamed Isuzu, after the Isuzu River, following a meeting with the Japanese Government's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).
Truck and bus production resumed in 1945 with the TX40 and TU60 series, and the Isuzu Sumida bus, with permission from the occupation authorities. A factory was built in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, in 1958, and in 1959, the Isuzu Elf was introduced. Isuzu continued to expand its market presence with the introduction of the Isuzu TY in 1966, and became a primary manufacturer of commercial duty trucks and buses, including the Isuzu Cubic, Isuzu Gala, and the Isuzu Giga.
Beginning in 1953, Isuzu produced the Hillman Minx passenger car under license from Rootes Group. Facing limited resources, Isuzu sought international partnerships. Pressure from MITI, aiming to consolidate the Japanese automotive industry, led to a collaboration with Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru) in 1966, which ended by 1968. This was followed by brief agreements with Mitsubishi, and then Nissan. A capital agreement was signed with General Motors in September 1971.
The first investment from GM, a 34% stake in Isuzu, occurred in 1972, coinciding with the launch of the Chevrolet LUV, the first Isuzu-built vehicle sold in the United States. A new logo, featuring two vertical pillars representing the characters for "Isuzu", was introduced in 1974. In 1974, Isuzu introduced the Gemini, co-produced with General Motors.
Isuzu began selling vehicles under its own brand in the United States in 1981, with the Isuzu P'Up and the Isuzu Piazza. A collaboration with Suzuki to develop a small car for GM led to a three-way agreement in 1981, with Isuzu and Suzuki exchanging shares and GM taking a stake in Suzuki. In 1985, Isuzu and GM established IBC Vehicles in the United Kingdom, producing light vans. Isuzu also became a major exporter of diesel engines, used by Opel/Vauxhall, Land Rover, and Hindustan, among others.
In 1993, Isuzu began a vehicle exchange program with Honda, selling the Isuzu Rodeo and Trooper as the Honda Passport and Acura SLX, respectively, while receiving the Honda Odyssey as the Isuzu Oasis. In 1998, GM raised its stake in Isuzu to 49%, gaining control of the company, and appointed an American executive to head Isuzu's North American Operations. By 2001, GM wrote off its investment in Isuzu.
Isuzu ended US sales of the Impulse in 1992, and the Stylus in 1993. US sales peaked in 1996 with the introduction of the Isuzu Hombre pickup. Isuzu withdrew from the US market on January 31, 2009, citing a lack of sales. Despite this, the company continued to sell commercial vehicles in the US.
The Isuzu Como F1 concept car, unveiled in 1991, was a pickup-style crossover that featured a Lotus Formula One engine, representing Isuzu's exploration of high-performance engineering in a commercial vehicle context.
Today, Isuzu is known primarily for trucks in most of Asia and Africa. The company continues to produce the D-Max pickup truck, and the MU-X SUV. Isuzu also manufactures a range of commercial vehicles, including the Elf, Erga, Forward, and Giga. The company maintains numerous international subsidiaries and joint ventures, including Isuzu Astra Motor Indonesia, Isuzu HICOM Malaysia, and Isuzu Motors de México.
Diesel engines are a major part of the Isuzu Motor's business with over 20 million engines worldwide. The diesel power division, known as the PowerTrain Division, of Isuzu Motors America, is located in Plymouth, Michigan.
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