History of Isuzu

In 1949, the new name of the Japanese automobile company “Tokyo Auto Industry” was registered, which received the name “Isuzu”. However, the history of the brand began much earlier, in the second decade of the twentieth century, when a small Japanese company tried to establish the production of trucks on the model known in post-colonial Asia as “Wolsley”. The industrial group “Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Co” was formed. The company released in 1918 the first truck of its own design, which gave impetus to the further development of the company. By 1928, a whole line of vehicles had been created, among which was the Isuzu model, named after one of the sacred Japanese rivers.

In 1933, it merged with Dot Automobile Manufacturing Inc. The new, even larger company was named “Automobile Industries Co., Ltd” and its main product line was the Isuzu truck line. After 3 years, the first Japanese diesel engine was developed for them. In 1937, another merger took place, as a result of which the company’s sign changed again, this time to “Tokyo Automobile Industries Co., Ltd”

During the Second World War, the company changed its profile to the production of power units for aircraft and tanks, which made it possible in the post-war period to obtain the necessary capital for the further development of Japanese engines, even despite the defeat in the war. In 1949, the company changed its name for the last time, taking its most famous brand, Isuzu, as its name.

In 1950, Isuzu introduced its first diesel engine, which received many forest reviews from foreign manufacturers. Especially from the American company General Motors, which tried to establish licensed production of Isuzu engines at its enterprises. But, the Americans received a harsh refusal.

After 3 years, a cooperation agreement was signed with the English brand Roots, which provides Isuzu with technology to start production of the Hillman model. Subsequently, this model became one of the most popular in the Japanese automotive market, bringing the company a considerable income.

In 1959, under the Isuzu brand, the Elf heavy truck comes out, which is equipped with the second generation of diesel engines of its own design, with high torque, and a platform with permanent all-wheel drive.

In 1961, a compact two-liter diesel power unit was introduced to the market, which received many honorary awards in Japan and the United States.

In 1963, the company introduced its first passenger car, which was named Bellett, and three years later, in order to meet the high demand for an inexpensive and reliable sedan, the Isuzu plant was opened in Thailand, where General Motors cars were subsequently assembled. for the automotive market of Japan and South Korea.

However, the economic crisis of 1970 forced the management of Isuzu to sell part of the shares of the American company General Motors, which finally began developing models with the same engine that would ensure sales growth in the budget segment.

In 1985, Isuzu enters the off-road car market with the Trooper model, which competes with the Mitsubishi Pajero, inferior in technical terms, but with a significantly lower price. By 1990, a joint venture was opened with another Japanese brand, Subaru, and the export of cars to the United States of America also began.

In 1997, the company experienced another crisis, after which it completely stopped producing cars under its own brand, focusing only on the production of the Frontera model for the German brand Opel, another division of General Motors.

As a way out of the crisis, the path of modernization and production of Elf trucks was chosen, which gradually occupy 10% of the Japanese special equipment market in 2001.

In 2001 and 2002, the first generation of powertrains was released to meet the most stringent requirements of the Japanese government, which were to come into force in 2003. The Isuzu company again receives many awards, and also begins the production of engines for the Toyota concern.

In 2006, General Motors reduced its stake in the company to 10%, leaving behind joint ventures in Europe, while Isuzu continued to strengthen cooperation with the domestic concern Toyota. The company introduced the Giga heavy truck, whose engine fully complies with the new eco-standards set by the Japanese government.

By 2009, the company had already produced more than 21 million diesel engines, both for its own vehicles and for other automotive companies. For example, Isuzu engines in different years were installed in cars of the Renault-Nissan Alliance or General Motors concerns.

In 2010, a joint venture between Isuzu and CBC-Group was opened, which began to assemble buses and trucks for the Kazakhstan market.

Until 2010, Rodeo, Honda Passport, VehiCROSS, Elf CNG, D-Max, as well as N, C, E and F series commercial vehicles and many others were produced under the Japanese brand. At the same time, the company significantly expanded its sales market by opening subsidiaries in several countries around the world.