Entries Tagged 'isuzu' ↓

The Nikkei reports that Isuzu Motors Ltd. is developing a series hybrid bus that it plans to commercialize in Japan in the first half of the 2010s.

The series hybrid system’s diesel engine can be made roughly 30% smaller than those used in conventional buses and maintains constant revolution regardless of vehicle speed. As a result, Isuzu’s bus delivers 30% better fuel economy than conventional diesel buses. The new system is also about 20% more fuel-efficient than the parallel hybrid system.

Isuzu plans to initially employ the new hybrid system for large buses 9 meters or longer and mid-size buses 7-9 meters in length. Further down the road, it aims to also use the technology in small and mid-size trucks. Isuzu plans to offer public transportation authorities and other potential customers test rides on its series hybrid buses as early as next year.

Isuzu currently offers a parallel diesel-electric hybrid system for its Elf trucks.

Source: Green Car Congress

Struggling General Motors Corp. is talking to Isuzu Motors about selling its truck business, in what would mark the first Japanese takeover of a business from the US Big Three, a report said Friday.

Isuzu, Japan’s second biggest truck maker, is “positive” about the deal, which would be worth tens of billions of yen (hundreds of millions of dollars), the Nikkei business newspaper said in its evening edition.

But an Isuzu spokesman denied the report.

“The company has not been approached by General Motors,” he said.

The US Big Three automakers have been suffering major losses as soaring oil costs and a slowing US economy sap sales.

GM is widely expected to lose its nearly eight-decade-old crown as the top world automaker this year to Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp.

Needing cash, GM decided in 2006 to sell its minority stake in Isuzu — most of which was bought by Toyota.

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Isuzu Motors Ltd., which helped popularize sport-utility vehicles in the 1980s, said it will exit the U.S. consumer auto market next year, the first departure by an Asian brand since 2002.

Sales of Ascender SUVs and i-series pickup trucks, both supplied by General Motors Corp., will halt at the end of January 2009, Isuzu said today in a statement. U.S. demand for the company’s vehicles has fallen 93 percent in eight years.

“There are no forecasts for continuation of the SUV business through introduction of a next-generation vehicle,” Tokyo-based Isuzu said.

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Tokyo, Dec 12, 2007 (Jiji Press) - Isuzu Motors Ltd. <7202> President Susumu Hosoi on Wednesday indicated that the a new diesel engine being codeveloped with Toyota Motor Corp. <7203> may be used not only in cars for the European market but also in models intended for other regions.

Under their partnership, Isuzu and Toyota plan to start production of the new diesel engine around 2012 for use in Toyota models targeted at the European market.

“It is unlikely that this will be limited to Europe from the viewpoint of costs,” Hosoi said in an interview, referring to the need to cut the manufacturing costs by expanding production volume.

Hosoi said the new engine may also be used in Isuzu cars, although he noted that the two companies have not yet discussed specifics relating to this matter.

Isuzu plans annual production of around 20,000 units of the new engine, Hosoi said. The location of the production has yet to be decided.

Tri Petch Isuzu Sales Co., Ltd. by Mr. Morikazu Chokki, President, proudly announces the staging of the ultimate launch of the special editions “New! Isuzu D-Max Gold Series” and the “New! Isuzu MU-7 Gold Series”, the epitome of gold-class value. These engineering marvels that enhance vehicle value and ownership experience have been developed for this one and only opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Isuzu business in Thailand at the Impact Challenger 1, Muang Thong Thani.

Isuzu celebrates the most auspicious occasion to mark its golden success of 50-year business operations in Thailand with the introduction of the ultimate engineering marvels specially created from the “gold” symbol representing the values of wealth and the ultimate success accepted worldwide. This unprecedented marketing strategy is channeled into a priceless engineering creation worthy of the highest pride and satisfaction called the “New Isuzu D-Max Gold Series!”, the epitome of gold-class value and the “New Isuzu MU-7 Gold Series!” which ranks as the ultimate fuel-efficient sport utility vehicle of the golden level. More value, more comfort and a greater vehicle ownership experience.

Special edition! “New Isuzu D-Max Gold Series!” The epitome of gold-class value which will have a full lineup launch for every model and series for the Thai people to become owners of the special gold-class pickups on the special occasion of celebration with great pride. A wide array of choices is available to suit each and every lifestyle with the following special qualities:
• New! Golden Isuzu logo on the front grille, rear tailgate* and steering wheel*
• New! Full Face grille in brand new design, oozing with luxury, accentuating the front end to stand out with character (in the SLX and Hi-Lander models only) and a Bumper Guard for extra style and robust look (in the LS model only)
• New! Side view mirrors with LED turning lamps* which can be adjusted and folded away electrically complete with a driver’s side Wide Vision side view mirror for that extra style and modern look enhanced by a 30% increase in viewing angle that will eradicate any blind spot for the driver to increase safety levels
• New! Active Roof Antenna* Luxurious design with class. Adjustable and can be folded away for convenience and functionality
• New! 3rd Brake light with LED technology** New design and absolutely modern with LED and white casing. Stands out, clear vision and viewable from a great distance in either day or night time
• New! Integrated Key* An innovative combination of the key and remote in a single component. Modern, compact and convenient

• New! Chrome door handle from the interior (only in the LS, SLX and Hi-Lander) Enhances the luxury factor for the interior cabin with greater ambiance
• New! Leather seats (LS model only) Comfortable and form-fitting which enhances luxury as good as gold
• Available in 3 new special color tones to commemorate the Golden Jubilee with Golden bronze metallic, Blue metallic and Red Mica
• A wider array of the gold-class choices with the New Isuzu D-Max Hi-Lander Gold Series! 3000 Ddi VGS Turbo 4-door model available in both manual and automatic transmission for that exciting driving experience you’ve been looking for.

Isuzu has also launched a special sport utility wagon that is the most fuel-efficient in its class called the “New Isuzu MU-7 Gold Series!” Another value of pride and the highest satisfaction to increase happiness with greater comfort levels, increased safety and higher value incorporated into a great ownership experience with the following:

• New! An awesome Multi-media Entertainment system (except the S model) that delivers the ultimate hi-end audio experience presented in a new design by Kenwood. Complete with multi-media functions that answer the very unique lifestyle you’ve been yearning for in a new age. Installed with top craftsmanship is a 7-inch (2 Din sized) DVD player at the front console with a Touch Screen monitor with Remote Control capable of accommodating DVD/ VCD/MP3/WMA and DivX which can be connected to various technological accessories such as iPod and MP3 player via the USB port. The system is also compatible with Bluetooth for your mobile phone, Navigator, TV Tuner and CD Changer. Plenty of room for future upgrades. Included is an 8-inch LCD monitor installed on top of the interior cabin ceiling with AV reception that can be connected to a variety of entertainment components such as videogames while accommodating infra-red earphones as well. You can separate or combine function operations from the DVD player at the front console for a private entertainment experience in the most complete sense.
• New! Rear View Camera* by Kenwood which will send video signals to the LCD monitor at the front console while engaging in reverse gear mode. The Real Vision video transmission of the rear view allows you to take advantage of great visibility as if you had eyes in the rear of the vehicle thanks to a 130 degree wide angle and a 100 degree horizontal view for absolute confidence while reversing your car, which enhances safety.
• New! Increased value of the Golden Level on this most auspicious occasion with the Golden Isuzu logo on the front grille, rear tailgate and steering wheel
• New! Full Face grille in brand new design, a new trend in the lifestyle of luxury, accentuating the front end to stand out with character and elegance
• New! Side view mirrors with LED turning lamps* which can be adjusted and folded away electrically complete with a driver’s side. Wide Vision side view mirror for that extra style and modern look enhanced by a 30% increase in viewing angle that will eradicate any blind spot for the driver. Improved safety level
• New! Chrome door handle from the interior for extra luxury
• New! Integrated Key* An innovative combination of the key and remote in a single component. Another level of golden luxury that comes with increased safety levels

* except the S model