GM owned a big share of Isuzu for many years.......
Isuzu and General Motors Corporation have enjoyed mutually beneficial relations in diverse areas of business since both companies first agreed to their capital tie-up in 1971. The alliance has grown to include cooperation in all phases of operation to leverage each company's business resources. In 1997, GM and Isuzu agreed that Isuzu is mainly responsible for diesel engine development for GM. The companies strengthened their partnership in 1998, giving Isuzu the responsibility of commercial vehicle engineering.
Milestones in GM-Isuzu Cooperation
1971 GM signed a capital agreement with Isuzu.
1972 KB pickup trucks first shipped to the U.S.A. under the Chevrolet LUV name.
1974 Gemini, the first car jointly developed with GM under the world-car concept, was introduced in the Japanese market.
1983 GM and Isuzu established GM Egypt jointly with local investors.
1984 Shipment of Gemini R-Car (Chevrolet Spectrum) commenced.
1987 IBC Vehicles Ltd. was set up to manufacture commercial vehicles in the U.K. as a joint venture between GM and Isuzu.
1989 GM and Isuzu jointly established Isuzu-General Motors Australia Ltd. to import, assemble and market Isuzu vehicles in Australia.
1994 Production of NPR gasoline powered trucks started at the GM Janesville Plant in Wisconsin.
1995 Production of Hombre pickups jointly developed with GM for U.S. market started at the GM Shreveport Plant in Louisiana.
1996 Production of medium-duty trucks with Isuzu cabs started at the GM Janesville Plant.
1997 Isuzu Motors Polska Sp. z o.o. was established in Poland to assemble diesel engines for Adam Opel AG in Germany.
Isuzu Thailand started the OEM supply of Isuzu TFR pickups to GM Thailand.
1998 In the U.S.A., DMAX, Ltd. was set up jointly by Isuzu and GM to manufacture diesel engines.
1999 GM raised its share of equity in Isuzu to 49.0% from 37.5%.
2000 Production of 6.6-liter direct-injection diesel started at DMAX, Ltd.
GM and Isuzu jointly established General Motors Isuzu Commercial Truck, LLC for sales and marketing of GM/Isuzu commercial vehicles in the U.S.A.
2001 GM and Isuzu agreed to start consigned-basis production of Isuzu one-ton pickups at GM Thailand.
2002 All-new Isuzu one-ton pickups, jointly developed by GM and Isuzu, debuted in Thai market as "Isuzu D-Max."
2003 GM's share of Isuzu's capital was altered from 49% to 12%.
Isuzu and GM established a new joint venture company called GMI Diesel Engineering Ltd. (GMIDEL) for powertrain systems.
Production of 1-ton pickup truck for general export started at GM Thailand.
2004 Supply of CKD to GM India for multi-purpose vehicle started.
Outline of Business Collaboration
Category Product Plant Supply to Start of
Business Volume
(Units)
Jan.'04-
Dec.'04
Engine Supplies by Isuzu 1.7L indirect diesel engine Isuzu Hokkaido GM Colmotores/GM Brasil/GM Argentina 1987 3,200
1.7L direct injection diesel Isuzu Motors Polska (Polnad) Opel/GM South Africa/GM Brasil/GM Argentina 1999 311,000
6.6L direct injection diesel (Duramax 6600) DMAX, Ltd. (Ohio, USA) GM North America 2000 173,000
3.0L direct injection diesel Isuzu Fujisawa Opel/Saab 2001 2,800
7.8L direct injection diesel (Duramax 7800) Isuzu Tochigi GM North America 1996 4,400
Truck and Component Supplies by Isuzu Cabin for F-series medium-duty truck Isuzu Fujisawa GM North America 1996 2,113
CKD for multi-purpose diesel vehicle Isuzu Fujisawa/P.T. Pantja Motor (Indonesia) GM India 2004 1,700
Vehicle Production on a contract basis N-series light-duty truck GM Janesville (Wisconsin, USA) Isuzu Commercial Truck of America 1994 4,200
1-ton pickup truck GM Thailand Isuzu Thailand 2003 61,000
Midsize pickup truck GM Shreveport
(Louisiana, USA) Isuzu America 2005 5,000
(Plan)
OEM Vehicle Supplies by Isuzu N-series light-duty truck Isuzu Fujisawa GM North America 1986 7,146
Multi-purpose gasoline vehicle P.T. Pantja Motor (Indonesia) GM Indonesia 2002 150
Engine Application Development 1.7L direct injection diesel
3.0L direct injection diesel
6.6L direct injection diesel Isuzu Fujisawa/Isuzu Motors Polska/DMAX, Ltd. GM Group & Other Automobile Companies 2003 -