Isuzu Overview and History
Isuzu is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer situated in Yokohama, Japan. It produces, markets, and sells diesel engines and commercial vehicles. It is particularly famous for world-class diesel engines that have changed the automobile industry. The company was founded on 30th March 1934. Today, it has a lot of subsidiaries that include Isuzu manufacturing facilities in various countries. It is also famous for the joint ventures that have given it more hype. Its main manufacturing and assembly plant has been in Fujisawa since it was founded. Isuzu vehicles are now sold in automobile markets throughout the world.
Its sole focus is the production of diesel-powered trucks, buses, and construction equipment; however, its Japanese competitor focuses more on power plants and generators. Even big names like General Motors use Isuzu diesel engines.
Isuzu trucks are top-rated for their strength and reliability, which help people carry out strenuous tasks without much hindrance. Isuzu was named after 50 bells ringing in harmony.
Their roots in Tokyo shipbuilding and engineering company founded in 1916 and built the first Japanese truck in 1919. Isuzu’s truck appeared in the United States in late 1984, and since then, it is exponentially growing every day. Let’s have an overview of the 88 years of supremacy.
The first half of the 20th century:
Isuzu motors limited hadn’t existed in the early years of the first half of the 20th century. However, as mentioned earlier, its predecessors formed the first truck in Japan in 1919. The term Isuzu for its proper manufacturing facility was coined in 1934. They were responsible for constructing Japan’s first air-cooled diesel engine in 1936. It gained much popularity for inducing the country’s concept of trucks and diesel engines.
The second half of the 20th century:
They didn’t stop and conducted experiments on other automobile equipment that, included tractors. Therefore, Isuzu produced snow tractors and diesel engines into services at Japan’s Antarctic observation base in 1955. It has been a few decades, but they’re still used today.
Later in the same decade, it also came up with the first two-ton light-duty low-cab truck in the world; it was the predecessor of N-series trucks. The company produced an excellent KS22 truck in 1984 and introduced it to the United States market.
In 1986, R.L. Polk endorsed Isuzu trucks as the best-selling import commercial trucks in the U.S.; it has retained that position ever since. In 1994, Isuzu came up with Wisconsin’s first American-built gasoline-powered engine.
2000 to 2014:
The U.S. sales of Isuzu trucks exceeded 2,75,000 units in 2002, and the 50,000th gasoline-powered N/W series was assembled in Wisconsin in 2005. The company came up with the first medium-duty truck in 2010 that was EPA 2010 compliant and 50-state clean-idle certified. The N-series gas production started in Michigan in 2011, and in the same year, it also introduced a walk-in van, Reach, produced in Indiana. 2012 was an important year for the company as the Work Truck Magazine titled Isuzu’s Reach medium-duty truck of the year.
In 2013, the N-series also got the title of the medium-duty truck of the year by Work Truck Magazine. The following year, Isuzu trucks hit their 30th anniversary in the United States.
2015 and 2016:
They worked hard and grew exponentially in 2015 as it introduced the correction of the 2015 and 2016 models. The 2016 models were set to meet greenhouse gas emission regulations; moreover, they offered a better fuel economy with upgraded styling and interiors. 20,000 Isuzu N-series gasoline trucks drove out of the Spartan motors in the same year. Reach commercial van got XL hybrids’ XL3 Hybrid electric power technology.
They celebrated record-breaking sales of N-series trucks and Isuzu parts in 2016. It also unveiled its class 6 F-series truck with an efficient 4-cylinder engine. The new trucks came with Isuzu Service Manual, like its other equipment, to assist the owners with the operation and maintenance. It opened the Center of Excellence Training and Technical assistance facility in Pennsylvania.
2017 and 2018:
F-series production started in Charlotte in 2017. B10 durability rating of the Isuzu engine increased, and it was announced 40,000 N-series gasoline trucks. Moreover, U.S. Isuzu technicians spoke of their competency by achieving second position in Japan’s world technical competition.
The 50,000th N-series truck was manufactured, and yet another Isuzu automobile, it’s also FTR, was titled “Medium-duty Truck of the Year” by the Work Truck Magazine in 2018. The Company announced production plans for the new NRR Crew Cab. It also teamed up with the supreme corporation to figure out irrigation and landscape supply solutions. In the same year, Isuzu displayed an electric truck at the NTEA truck show.
Today:
Isuzu trucks are still growing strong with the addition of new and innovative technological features in their latest models. It is still one of the most-selling automobile companies in the world, particularly famous for its diesel engines that various automobile companies use throughout the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Isuzu trucks reliable?
Isuzu trucks are generally known for their reliability and durability. They are built to last and are designed to be able to handle the demands of commercial use. It’s worth noting that, like any vehicle, the reliability of an Isuzu truck can vary depending on how well it is maintained and the specific model.
How long do Isuzu Motors last?
With proper maintenance and care, it is not uncommon for an Isuzu vehicle to last for many years and go over 200,000 miles. However, it is important to keep in mind that all vehicles have a limited lifespan and will eventually need to be replaced, regardless of the brand or model. A proper maintenance manual can help ensure a long life for a vehicle.