The History of Isuzu car maker & VIN decoder

Isuzu Corporation began with the formation of the Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. in 1916. The company first began producing passenger cars on the model of the British 'Wolseley', and two years later, i.e. in 1918, the first trucks were put into production. The first model of the truck line was the A-9.

The development of the company led to the appearance of a complete Isuzu design at the Ishikawajima Automotive Works in 1928. Then, a new series of Sumida trucks was put into production. One of its models was named Isuzu, borrowed from a small sacred Japanese river.

In 1933, Ishikawajima Automotive Works merged in a manufacturing alliance with Dot Automobile Manufacturing Inc. The merger was named Automobile Industries Co., Ltd. From its production line went Isuzu trucks ordered by the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Japan. A year later, Automobile Industries Co., Ltd. founded a committee to do research on issues related to diesel engines. These studies were part of the policy of Japanese President Tomonosuke Kano. Thanks to the research, a real breakthrough in the history of the diesel engine was made - in 1936, the first Japanese diesel engine DA6 with air-cooling system was developed and produced. In 1937, during the merger of Automobile Industries with two companies, Tokyo Automobile Industries Co.

Nowadays, the strategic products of Isuzu cars are mini-vans, SUVs, pickup trucks with GVW up to 3.5 tons, pickup trucks TFS series (4×2) and TFR (4×4), known to the European consumer, as Opel Campo and Vauxhall Bravo. On the U.S. and Latin American markets, the Hombre pickup (a variant of Chevrolet S-10) is popular with similar size and equipment of Chevrolet cabins.

If we talk about the class of Isuzu minivans, one of the most promising trends, Isuzu introduces Fargo Filly. This model is similar to the Nissan Elgrand, which conquered the Japanese market, and is actively marketed in North America. And on the Japanese market Isuzu supplies delivery vans and minibuses Fargo Van (analog of the Nissan Urvan), passenger Fargo Bus with rich equipment and vehicles of Elf UT family. These models are not exported.

The commercial range is completed with the ERV series and cabover Elf NHR- / NKR-series. The name Elf 100 is known in the U.S. and Japan for the Nissan Condor/Atlas trucks.

Currently Isuzu, keeping pace with current trends in the development of automobile industry, is successfully working on the production of diesel engines with high environmental performance. The work is carried out within the framework of the agreement with General Motors, where Isuzu acts as the main expert.

Not so long ago, Isuzu introduced a new range of full-size pickups Isuzu D-Mach. Its appearance this novelty is due not only to Isuzu, but also to active participation of General Motors. Both partners believe this project to be the major one in the history of their 30-year cooperation. The production site for the D-Mah is a factory in Thailand, where Isuzu eventually plans to completely transfer the production of its pickups and SUVs. And the first market for D-Mah is Thailand. Isuzu is betting heavily on this model and reorienting to Thai production, as the company has financial difficulties, requiring a change in company tactics. The Isuzu D-Max will soon start exporting to Australia, and then to other world markets in more than 100 countries. Isuzu and General Motors forecast that the D-Max will reach annual sales of about 500,000 units.

Isuzu is still the leader in Japan's commercial vehicle sector. Isuzu vehicles are known and loved all over the world and have an impeccable reputation as reliable business companions. Do not forget to use Isuzu VIN decoder in order to avoid potential problems when buying a used car.

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