Isuzu's North American Sales to End

Isuzu Ascender

Japanese automaker cites lack of suitable replacements.

By Chris Jackson
January 31, 2008 9:05 AM
Filed Under: American, Isuzu

After several years of steadily decreasing sales, Isuzu is throwing in the towel. The company announced Thursday that sport-utility vehicle and pickup truck sales in North America will end in a year. Isuzu cites decreasing demand, General Motors' upcoming cancellation of the platforms underpinning the Ascender and i-series pickups and a lack of commercially viable replacements as reasons for the pullout. The move is expected to allow Isuzu to concentrate on its more successful commercial vehicle business in North America.

The move doesn't surprise industry analysts. Isuzu's passenger-vehicle sales barely reached 7000 last year. Isuzu's sales aren't the only thing that has shrunk in recent years. Isuzu's SUV lineup, once filled out with familiar stalwarts like the Trooper and Rodeo, has since dwindled to just a single model--the Chevrolet Trailblazer-based Ascender. The short-lived Axiom, introduced in 2002, was unable to halt the sales slide.

Owners of current Isuzu products need not worry; in addition to having easy-to-service General Motors underpinnings, Isuzu says that it will continue to provide parts and service for the vehicles already on the ground. That's good news for those buyers who chose their Ascenders and i-350s because of the company's impressive 7-year/75,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Source: Isuzu, Reuters

Press Release (Click to expand)

CERRITOS, CA -- 01/30/08 -- Isuzu Motors America, Inc. announced today that, effective January 31, 2009, it would discontinue distributing new Isuzu passenger vehicles in North America. The discontinuation of passenger vehicles results from the prospective cessation of production by General Motors Corporation of the Ascender sport utility vehicle and the i-290 and i-370 pickup trucks.
"It has always been our intention to remain in the U.S. market," said Terry Maloney, president and COO. "However, we were unable to secure any commercially viable replacements for these vehicles."
Although Isuzu will cease supplying passenger vehicles in North America, it will continue to stand behind its customers and dealers here for years to come. Specifically, Isuzu will continue to honor all product warranties and roadside assistance programs and will maintain its owner-relations call center. In addition, to assure long-term service to its customers, Isuzu will be offering all current, U.S. Isuzu vehicle dealers the opportunity to continue on as service dealerships for Isuzu. "Let me make it crystal clear," Maloney said. "Isuzu will discontinue the sales of vehicles only. Our parts and service operation will remain fully functional. We expect the vast majority of our dealers will continue as service-only dealers."