Isuzu

Year of foundation 1916

Origins (1916-1949)

1916: The history of Isuzu begins with the collaboration between two Japanese companies: Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Co. The goal was to launch automobile production.

1918: Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding & Engineering enters into a technical partnership with British automobile manufacturer Wolseley Motor Ltd. for vehicle production.

1922: The first entirely Japanese-produced automobile, a Wolseley A-9 model, is completed by Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding.

1927: The agreement with Wolseley ends. The company focuses on the production of its own-designed trucks, marketed under the "Sumida" brand.

1934: The name "Isuzu" is officially adopted. The name comes from the Isuzu River that flows near Ise Shrine, a place of great importance in Japanese culture.

1936: Isuzu produces Japan's first air-cooled diesel engine, the DA4 and DA6. This marks the beginning of its specialization and leadership in diesel engines.

1937: Tokyo Automobile Industries Co., Ltd., the predecessor of Isuzu Motors Ltd., is officially founded. This is considered the company's official founding year.

War Period: During World War II, Isuzu produces vehicles, primarily trucks, for the Imperial Japanese Army. The war has a profound impact on the company and its manufacturing focus.

1949: The company changes its name to Isuzu Motors Limited.

Postwar Expansion and Collaboration (1950–1990)
1950s: Isuzu plays a crucial role in Japan's postwar reconstruction, producing trucks and commercial vehicles for transporting goods.

1953: A technical cooperation agreement is signed with the British company Rootes, Ltd. for the licensed production of the Hillman sedan.

1959: The world's first cab-over light truck is introduced, the predecessor of today's N Series trucks.

1960s: Isuzu begins to diversify its offerings, also producing passenger cars. Models such as the Isuzu Bellett and the 117 Coupé, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, gain fame. The 117 Coupé is known for being one of the first Japanese cars designed by an Italian designer and the first sports coupé available with a diesel engine.

1971: Isuzu enters into a partnership with General Motors (GM). This agreement is crucial to Isuzu's global expansion. Following this, GM acquires a stake in Isuzu.

1980s: The alliance with GM leads to the production and marketing of several Isuzu models under GM brands in various markets, such as the Chevrolet Luv and the S-10 (based on the Isuzu Faster/Pickup), and the Luv pickup. In the United States, Isuzu begins selling its own commercial vehicles and SUVs, such as the famous Trooper, introduced in 1981 (known as the Big Horn in Japan), and the pickup, known as the Isuzu P'up.

1984: Isuzu trucks enter the US market, with the KS22 model. Isuzu quickly becomes the best-selling imported commercial truck manufacturer in the United States.

1988: Isuzu and GM's Geo sub-brand begin a partnership that leads to the birth of the Geo Storm, based on the Isuzu Impulse (Piazza).

Crisis and Reorganization (1990s - Early 2000s)
1990s: Despite the success of its commercial vehicles, Isuzu faces financial difficulties due to poor sales of its passenger vehicles. Its passenger models, such as the Impulse, fail to compete with their more established Japanese counterparts.

1993: To expand its model range, Isuzu enters into a partnership with Honda. This leads Honda to sell rebranded Isuzu vehicles such as the Honda Passport (an Isuzu Rodeo) and the Acura SLX (an Isuzu Trooper). Similarly, Isuzu sells Honda vehicles such as the Isuzu Oasis (a Honda Odyssey) and the Isuzu Gemini (a Honda Domani).

Late 1990s: Financial difficulties worsen. The company suffers significant losses, and the alliance with GM begins to show signs of strain.

Early 2000s: Isuzu makes the drastic decision to withdraw from the passenger car market in the United States starting in 2002 to refocus on its core business: commercial vehicles, pickups, and diesel engines. GM sells a large portion of its stake in Isuzu.

Rebirth and Focus on Diesel and Commercial Vehicles (Mid-2000s - Present)
Mid-2000s: Isuzu focuses on its historical strength: diesel engines, trucks, pickups, and derived SUVs. The company continues to be a world leader in the production of diesel engines for a variety of applications, from vehicles to industrial machinery.

2006: Toyota acquires a stake in Isuzu, strengthening collaboration on diesel technologies and research into new engines. This partnership also focuses on the development of diesel engines for commercial vehicles and investment in