Isuzu

At the 2021 Commercial Vehicle Show, Isuzu in cooperation with Arctic Trucks unveiled the special edition D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35. Isuzu has big hopes for the trucks and hopes customers customers will fall in love with the 4x4 capabilities of AT35, so the official sale date was set for February 14, 2022.

Isuzu D-Max is one of the most affordable and reliable trucks in the U.K. It offers absolute bang for the buck and suits the needs of urban trade customers, farmers, and small businessmen.

However, Isuzu decided to expand into the off-road segment as well. In 2019, the company launched the XTR trim for the D-Max that catered to off-road enthusiasts. To make sure the product’s hype didn’t go down, Isuzu decided to release a new Colour Edition for the model that featured cosmetic upgrades inside and out. From what it’s worth, the aesthetic update certainly adds a nice zing to the truck.

Isuzu D-Max is the ultimate vehicle when it comes to choosing an affordable, durable pickup truck. Although it is nowhere close to the Fords and Chevys, this truck serves well for urban trade customers, farmers, and small businesses. The truck may serve its purpose quite well, but the it was in dire need of getting either a facelift or a special edition to keep it interesting. Isuzu figured this out and decided to launch a special Workman+ edition to refresh the lineup. Is it an expensive buy? Not at all, actually. However, this special edition is limited to 125 examples only.

Isuzu D-Max is one of the toughest and most off-road-capable old-school pickups for any amount of money. It is definitely not the most luxurious feeling pickup, though, but that’s not what the D-Max is about.

More recent models have gained some premium features that older model years lacked, like leather seats, a reversing camera and smartphone pairing tech, but the main reason why you’d want to buy one is to really use it either doing serious off-roading or for towing as it does a great job at both.

Its noisy and not very refined 2.5-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel was replaced along with the truck’s recent refresh by a slightly less noisy 1.9-liter which makes the same power as the old unit, but slightly less torque.

There’s also plenty of flexibility in terms of body and drive alternatives - Isuzu offers the D-Max with either 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains, as well as several cab variants too. And there is quite a bit of visual differentiation between utilitarian examples just meant to work, and more luxurious trimmed ones used more as family cars - the basic, single-cab model comes with a non-painted front bumper, steel wheels with no hubcaps and a spartan interior completely devoid of toys.

Blade top trim level adds nice alloys, leather seats, a touchscreen infotainment system, a decent six-speed automatic transmission, and climate control. The most capable D-Max on sale now is the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35, a specialist-modified model with upgraded suspension, wheels complete with flared wheel arch extensions.

Isuzu sells the rugged D-Max pickup in a wide range of body styles and four different applications, but the version that sits at the top of the range is the most impressive, and it’s called Arctic Trucks AT35. It’s built in collaboration with renowned off-road specialist Arctic Trucks from Iceland.

Isuzu revealed the Concept X, Isuzu Team D-MAX-tuned monster trucks based on top of the Isuzu D-Max truck and the Isuzu MU-X SUV. Created in Australia for promotional and market research purposes, the Isuzu Concept X trucks feature a comprehensive set of off-road additions that make them exceptionally capable on rough terrain and challenging surfaces.

EMG director Wayne Boatwright said; “We didn’t set out to build a racer, a rock crawler, or yet another version of the ultimate 4WD tourer.” He added, “It would have been easy just to bolt on a lot of accessories, but we really wanted to ‘go our own way,’ so most of the build — the guards, bull bars, bonnet, brakes, suspension and chassis mods — are all in-house custom work.”

General Motors and Isuzu Motor Company have parted ways on developing midsize pickups. The two automakers came to the mutual agreement as GM focuses on higher-spec models, while Isuzu continues to cater to commercial markets. This ends a deal penned in 2014 for building midsized pickups as part of a joint product development arrangement struck in 2006.

An Isuzu spokesman told Reuters, “The direction each company wanted to take for the vehicles was changing.” A GM statement regarding the split echoed Isuzu’s, saying, "Both GM and Isuzu agree that due to unique requirements for each company, joint development of the next-generation midsize pick-up truck for (GM) markets is no longer the optimal model for this project."

Currently the automakers produce several models together. The Chevrolet Colorado (the global truck, not the U.S.-spec truck GM built on its own) and Isuzu D-Max are nearly clones of each other, with Chevy selling in Australia and the Middle East, while Isuzu is sold in Asia and other countries. Chevy also builds an SUV based off the Colorado and the Trailblazer, which also sold in Asia and Australia.

What’s more, the break-up allows for Isuzu’s partnership with Mazda – a joint venture announced in July 2016. Details are still scarce, but it’s likely the Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max will be replaced with a single pickup, badge-engineered for each automaker. We don’t expect either truck to be offered inside the U.S.

Nevertheless, GM and Isuzu will continue their partnership of building medium-duty commercial trucks. This partnership is only a year old, having been struck in June of 2015, but is reminiscent of the pair’s past partnership in the medium-duty segment, which ended in 2009.

The deal allows Chevrolet to badge-engineer Isuzu’s N-Series Low Cab Forward trucks as its own, while Isuzu benefits from having access to GM’s 6.0-liter gasoline V-8 for both Isuzu and Chevy versions of the N-Series. Overseas versions of the N-Series will come with a variety of Isuzu-built diesel engines.

GM’s next global midsize pickup will be developed in-house, allowing the automaker full control of its product. Expect to see a more luxurious and comfortable Colorado pickup debut in the next few years.

Continue reading for more information.

Mazda and Isuzu announced plans to partner in building a new midsize pickup truck, In an extremely short news release, the two automakers announced a “basic agreement on the next-generation pickup truck collaboration.” Details of the collaborative effort are scarce – likely even between both automakers. The reason behind the effort is clear, however. Mazda will get a strengthened product lineup while Isuzu will enhance its product competiveness.

This collaboration could see both the Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max pickups being replaced with a single pickup, badge-engineered for each automaker. While that’s unconfirmed, the possibility seems high.

Mazda and Isuzu have already proved they can work together. The companies have a decade-long partnership where Isuzu builds Mazda pickups for the Japanese market.

We’ll be keeping a close tabs on this partnership with an eye peeled for future products. It will likely be several years, however, before the pair head to production with a jointly built midsize truck. Planning and development times are generally measured in years for automakers.

Sadly, it’s highly unlikely this future midsize truck will be available in the U.S.

Continue reading for the full story.

We got it wrong, along with at least one other internet site, which reported - as did we - that "We reported late yesterday that Isuzu will be leaving the United States market, but we got the date wrong - as did at least one other internet report, which similarly stated that, "Isuzu Motors America said on Wednesday that it will stop selling vehicles in the U.S. market. The decision is effective as of Thursday, Jan. 31, the company said in a press release."

My mistake. My bad.

It’s January 31st of 2009 - that is, a year from today.

The Detroit Free Press and Bloomberg, however, have provided further information about the Isuzu move. The Free Press reports that Isuzu’s sales in the United States have dropped 93% over the past eight years.

Effective tomorrow, January 31st 2009, Isuzu Motors will cease selling vehicles in the United States, according to an announcement made by the company today. It’s United States sales are reported by Autoweek as down 17% this year from last year’s total of only 7,078. Those vehicles are versions of General Motors vehicles, the Chevy Trailblazer and the GMC/Chevy Canyon/Colorado pick up truck.
 
The company indicated that warranties will still be honored and that it will encourage dealers to continue operating service departments to take care of Isuzu customers. How it intended to make that “encouragement,” however, was not clear.
 
Though the vehicles currently sold under the Isuzu name are derived from GM vehicles and may, thereby, be able to be serviced, at least in theory, by some GM dealers, the move is certain to drop the value of anything with the brand’s nameplate, virtually instantly.
 
If you don’t care about that, now’s the time to see your Isuzu dealer – while there still is one.
 
If you just bought an Isuzu, you might be wondering about how long the company’s been planning this move and whether you should have been forwarned.

Isuzu’s new facelifted ’07 Rodeo is now available in range-topping Denver Max LE trim, complete with its standard Prodrive Performance Pack which boosts power from 136 to 167 hp. With first deliveries due in early June, the Denver Max LE offers the ultimate in pickup luxury at an affordable price – especially for business users.

A substantial facelift, plush new interior and world-beating new common-rail diesel engine are highlights of the new ’07 Isuzu Rodeo which enters showrooms from April fully armed to make a major impact in the hotly-contested UK market for ‘lifestyle’ one-tonne pickups.

Two exciting and aggressive Isuzu Pickup project vehicles, both developed by Street Scene Equipment of Costa Mesa, California, will be displayed at this week’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

Two exciting and aggressive Isuzu Pickup project vehicles, both developed by Street Scene Equipment of Costa Mesa, California, will be displayed at this week’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

For a crew cab pickup that seats up to five, the i-370’s spacious front cab adds a level of comfort you’ll appreciate every time you drive. Versatility is another trait that the i-370 delivers in great supply. With a 60/40 split bench rear seat that folds flat, you’ll multiply your interior cargo space options, leaving an entire cargo bed with up to 37 cubic feet of space for your more expansive items. If that’s not enough, a standard 2-tier tailgate gives you the added flexibility of two different locking positions to accommodate larger loads.

The Ascender 5-Passenger is a lot of SUV. Just like its big brother, it’s loaded with amenities that make it an ideal choice for commuting and everyday duties. And one look tells you: It can handle family, friends, bulk purchases or road trips, no problem. To help make it your own, you’ll find option packages that offer all the amenities you might wish for. But even in its most basic form, Ascender 5-Passenger is a capable SUV with the power and wonderfully luxurious ride that make it a smart choice by any standard.