<![CDATA[Jalopnik: Isuzu]]> http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: Isuzu]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/isuzu http://jalopnik.com/tag/isuzu <![CDATA[Ultra rare Isuzu Bellel project for sale on Ebay]]> If you've never heard of an Isuzu Bellel, don't worry you're in good company. Although these little Isuzus were the first diesel car in Japan and sport one of the coolest set of taillights we've ever laid eyes on, they were never officially imported to the US. Accordingly not many people have ever seen or heard of the handful of Bellels that made it over here back in the 1960s. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5873875&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Get ready for the fake zombie apocalypse with this 1994 Isuzu Amigo]]> We don't claim to be zombie apocalypse experts, but we do know if it happens prop guns and an old Isuzu probably isn't going to be a very helpful combination. That certainly isn't what the seller of this 1994 Amigo would have you believe. It's currently listed on Ebay as a vehicle that will "have you ready for the impending zombie apocalypse". More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5861181&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Isuzu posts giant profit by not building cars]]> It looks like Joe Isuzu found a way to make lots of money. All they had to do was stop building and selling cars. God Save The Impulse RS! More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5796265&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[GM Recalls 180K Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon And Isuzu Pickups]]> GM's recalling 185,000 Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and Isuzu compact pickups after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found the child seat anchor system doesn't comply with federal safety standards. Another solution? Don't have kids. [PickupTrucks] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5698379&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[For $3,500, This Could Almost Be An Impulse Purchase]]> All-wheel drive, handling by Lotus, 16-valve turbo motor, the Isuzu Impulse seemed to have it all, but it wasn't enough to ensure the company's eventual survival. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe '91, however, is Gloria Gaynor. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5649527&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[For $6,475, Be A Super Trooper]]> Joe Isuzu once caught a bullet in his teeth to demonstrate how fast a Piazza could be. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe diesel Trooper is no where near that fast, but is the seller's spiel as endearing as Joe's? More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5559800&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Nobody Cares About Poor Isuzu]]> By far the saddest stand here in Geneva is Isuzu’s little corner of shame. Four forlorn pickup trucks abandoned lurking in a corner, visited by nobody but service industry people on their way home. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5484089&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Drive With Elan for $13,750!]]> The word Elan derives from the French élancer, meaning to dart. Nice Price or Crack Pipe is starting out the new year with a Lotus that's pretty good at darting in and out of traffic. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5439298&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[DOTS-O-Rama Sunday, Rocky Mountain Edition: Diesel Imports]]> This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. Ejacobs has found us a threesome of Denver oil burners. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5217314&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Guess The Thunderhill LeMons Effluency Contenders' Lap Totals, Win Fabulous Prizes!]]> Is The Man really sweatin' you on the job today? Don't let salt-mine toil break your spirit; instead, spend the next couple of hours debating the merits of these extremely reliable race cars! More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5109879&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Thunderstorm Is Part Geo Storm, Part Subaru Brat, 100% Awesome]]> As much as we may be inclined to mock the Thunderstorm, which combines the nose and a powertrain of a Geo Storm with the rear end of a Subaru Brat and was constructed with an impressive level of parts-bin rummaging, we're in awe of how cool it actually is. The Thunderstorm is up for sale due to the "RECENT PASTING" of the seller's deceased "BELOVED HUSBAND" and has the lineage to prove it. Designed by someone in Alabama, the curiously-named Thunderstorm is a rolling metaphor for 1990s GM: Geo headlights, Isuzu engine, Cavalier bow ties, Subaru rear end. The Stormamino has less than 38K miles and, for a car that's mostly Japanese, a patriotic paint job. Bidding starts at just $9,999. Seller description with a list of the 20 cars that went into making this impressive amalgam below the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5083382&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Joe Isuzu Shuts Down Them Damn 911-Driving Huns In His I-Mark RS]]> As we know, the Isuzu I-Mark is a mighty racing machine. But did you know that the '89 I-Mark RS could eat up a 911 piloted by a steely-eyed German on a rain-soaked autobahn? Sure could, provided you-know-who was at the wheel. Guten morgen! Thanks to Maxichamp for the tip. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5056704&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Diesel Chevrolet LUV Cruising Around Detroit Suburbs]]> We spotted a manufacturer-plated Chevrolet LUV pickup cruising around town a month ago on our way to our brother's graduation from Oakland University, but didn't think much of it because frankly, a re-badged Isuzu D-MAX (or Chevy Colorado depending on how you look at it) doesn't really get us going. That is until we took a closer look at the shots last night and noticed that it was a diesel-powered Chevy LUV truck. My, my, my — is GM perhaps looking to create a competitor for the Mahindra Scorpio / Appalachian / Whatever pickup? Maybe some oil-slicked Thai truck action? More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=398070&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Toyota Trembles In Fear When Contemplating The 1990 Isuzu Pickup]]> You could get a '90 Isuzu pickup for a few hundred bucks less than its Toyota competitor, and the Isuzu beat the Toyota in a couple of areas... but we're pretty sure that Toyota execs just had to take a glance at the Warlord Truck Approval Rating™ in order to restore their confidence. When's the last time you saw a warlord army driving Isuzus? More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=393187&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Slammed 8-Wheeler V8 Isuzu Pickup Raises Questions]]> Your eyes do not deceive you. This is, in fact, an Isuzu pickup that has eight wheels, a V8 engine, and zero ground clearance. What? Why? How? Who shot JR? Well, it was all just a dream inside the mind of a Texas man who wanted "a truck that stands out." He started building it about three years ago.
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]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=378990&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[PCH, Isuzu PUNishment Edition: Turbo Impulse or Bagged P'up?]]> I thought about maybe sticking with French Car Hell for another day (by the way, the pair of Citröen SMs manhandled the Simca 1000 like Burt Reynolds slapping around his Maserati-owning girlfriend in yesterday's poll), but the descent into Isuzu Pun Hell in yesterday's racing I-Mark post can mean only one thing: All-Isuzu PCH today! You see? You see what happens? You make Isuzu puns, you get Isuzu projects! More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=351469&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Wheel Falls Off Racing I-Mark, Symbolizes Isuzu's American Experience]]> We were totally rooting for the Motoring J Style Isuzu I-Mark at the 24 Hours of LeMons race at Thunderhill last month, especially after hearing one team member refer to Isuzu as "The Fiat of Japan." Now the J Style folks have written down their account of why their Isuzu succeeded on the race track about as well as Isuzu Corporation succeeded in the American marketplace (actually, the race car did pretty well... for a while). The best part is the driver's response to hearing a terrible noise from a front wheel bearing: "What's the worst that can happen? The wheel isn't gonna fall off!" Famous last words! [Motoring J Style] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=351266&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Eulogy For An Isuzu Impulse]]> Though most of the talk of the first generation Isuzu Impulse on Jalopnik had to do with a Project Car Hell comparison, with the news of Isuzu abandoning the North American market I thought I'd take a moment to remember one of the few North American Isuzus that were actually likable. I also have a personal connection to the car as the Impulse was the car my dad traded for when he realized you can't put a child seat in a Subaru Brat. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=351173&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Floating Car That Could Have Brought Isuzu Glory]]> Some might argue the amphibious automobile went the way of the dodo when the Amphicar exited stage left. Others would cite the glorious Tang Hua Detroit Fish. But for the most part, combined land-and-sea transportation has been a lean market lately. If only some executive had had the foresight to green light the 1991 Isuzu Nagisa concept, Isuzu might have had an amphibious lineup ready for the free-spending dot com millionaires when they arrived. As was the mantra in the mid-'90s, the sky would have been the limit. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=351098&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Joe Isuzu Has Left The Building Faster Than A...Well, You Know]]> In honor of Isuzu's decision to abandon the North American market, we wanted to remember the good times. Or well, the times when they sold cars here — like the Isuzu Impulse Turbo. Hmm, well, maybe we guess that was more like remembering times that were "different" and maybe not so much "good." Whatever. Joe Isuzu was good and that's the important thing. So anyway, without further ado, here's Joe Isuzu extolling the obvious Superman-like capabilities of the Turbo Impulse. We're going to go and cry in the corner now. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=350820&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Report: Isuzu To Quit North American SUV Sales]]> Reuters is reporting Isuzu, unlike Jake Gyllenhaal, no longer wishes it knew how to quit North American SUV sales. Here's their report:
Japanese truck maker Isuzu Motors Ltd said on Thursday it would end sales of sport utility vehicles in North American in a year due to dwindling demand.
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]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=350757&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[I-Markin' It With The Fiat of Japan]]> Team Motoring J-Style has the only Isuzu at today's race... in fact, this may well be the only Isuzu ever to race at the 24 Hours of LeMons (anyone who knows of another, please let us know). We're giving these guys serious props, not just for their choice of car, but for the Save The Enzos T-shirt sported by this team member. Quote of the Day goes to the Alfa guy at the neighboring pit space, who referred to Isuzu as "the Fiat of Japan." Oh yes, and this is the same team who had the #3 finishing car (an MR2) at the October race at Altamont. Make the jump to catch a bit of video of this car in action. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=338957&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Poor Impulse Control: Isuzu Piazza!]]> After seeing all the Impulse love in yesterday's Project Car Hell, we felt it only fair to share this inspiring Japan-market ad for the '90 Impulse, aka Piazza. Sure, the '90 was front-wheel-drive, but it still had Handling By Lotus and Guitar By Wanker. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=304019&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[PCH, Island Nation Edition: Honda Rover or Lotus Isuzu?]]> So yesterday we pitted a couple of classic Motown wagons against each other in the Choose Your Eternity poll, and the result was so close to a tie as to make no difference (with the Dodge photo-finishing past the Ford). Today we're going to look at a couple of cooperative efforts between the island of the Rising Sun and the island whose empire's sun never set. Yes, Japanese style and British reliability, together at last! Fasten your seat belts, everyone! More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=303253&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Toyota to merge manufacturing of Hino and...]]> Toyota to merge manufacturing of Hino and Isuzu to make super-awesome-Hin-uzu-mega-zord? [Automotive Business Review] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=279251&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Japanese Cargo-Hauling Hoonage: Isuzu Forward!]]> I used to have a job that involved driving a Mitsubishi Fuso delivery truck, top speed 52 MPH and incapable of climbing steep hills (a fact I discovered after the thing groaned to a halt while attempting to make it up Clipper Street in San Francisco, much to the displeasure of many drivers behind me). If only my employer had seen fit to go with the Isuzu Forward instead of the weak-ass Fuso- why, it's got so much power you can wheelie it at will! Might want to tie the cargo down real good with this baby, though. Bonus points for super-disco-ninja soundtrack. – Murilee Martin More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=259520&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Furious Stylus: Lotus Tuned!]]> Sold only from 1990 to 1993, the son-of-I-Mark, fraternal-twin-of-Gemini Stylus was never the hit we're sure Joe Isuzu was hoping it would be. In fact, it was the last car the company sold in America. Neverthless, it proudly boasted a fender tag touting "Handling by Lotus," added presumably to capitalize on the wave of enthusiasm generated by Pretty Woman. We've never driven one, so we can't tell you if it indeed "cornered like it was on rails." – Davey G. Johnson More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=232201&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Leveling The Field? Not-So-Level Institute Releases "Domestic Content" Report — Ford, Chrysler Group, GM, Honda All Score Above 50%]]> The Domestic-ated Level Field Institute released what they're calling a "Domestic Content" report, which appears to be based on: More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=198117&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[GM Buddies up With Isuzu for Platform Development]]> GM may have liquidated off its Isuzu ownership in a fire sale, but the two companies are still planning new joint ventures. Take, for example, this story out of Moldovia today: GM and Isuzu are launching a joint platform-development project from which will spring the underpinnings for a new generation of pickups for emerging markets (read: cheap) and cars. Dubbed LCV Platform Engineering Corp. (no subterfuge, here) the venture — capitalized for less than a week's worth of lunches at the Renn Center — will see Isuzu doing most of the engineering and GM getting the spoils. That's what we call win-win. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=180391&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ad Watch: TV Buys Are Dropping; Ford Still Making "Bold Moves" With Kelly Clarkson]]> Looks like profits ain't the only thing down at the Big Three — ad spending is following the trend. For the first quarter of 2006, the only automaker of the triumvirate making a "Bold Move" has been FoMoCo — but their spot tv spend was only up to a respectful $187 million. That additional money may have been necessary for them to make that amazing Kelly Clarkson song. We kid — that extra coupla million came out of the "crappy song" line — not the "tv ad buy" line. More numbers for other automakers including a surprise showing by a certain German company after the jump: More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=175117&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Jalopnik Precast: A Spanish GTI for Europe, Fun with Isuzu, Smart Cracks the "Di Vinci Code"]]> On today's Jalopnik Precast, Spinelli and Farago look at the new Seat Leon FR — the Spanish GTI — then examine Isuzu's recent record profits as seen through GM's eyes, and relate the Smart Fortwo's recent appearance in "The Di Vinci Code" with the Mini's in "The Italian Job." More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=174423&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Say What?: Isuzu Posts Record Profit on Higher Sales]]> Stop snickering, this isn't just some Joe Isuzu wild exaggeration (you know who that is, right?). Despite Isuzu's reputation in the US as a builder of novelty cars like the I-Mark and novelty SUVs like the Axiom (pictured), the company is actually a profitable builder of trucks and diesel engines — including GM's Duramax line. And according to news reports, the Japanese company — until recently part owned by GM — has nailed a record pretax profit. The company announced its profits rose 2.5% to a record $860 million over the previous year, on a 5.9% rise in sales ($14 billion). Too bad GM didn't hold on one more month, it may have gotten more than $300 million for its $7.9% stake. [UPDATE: Prplhaze reminds us of this bit of nostalgia.] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=174331&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[GM Sells Stake in Isuzu. Yawn]]> You know, we heard about this a day or two ago, and somehow we just didn't care enough. But it's news, and we should post it. GM dumped its stake in Isuzu. Which means no more Geo Storm. Oh, wait. We learned to drive a stick in an Isuzu, which is totally the wrong vehicle to learn to drive a stick in. Meanwhile, on a more serious note, we wonder what this means for the diesel side of GM Powertrain, as the Japanese company was a pretty substantial partner in that department. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=166874&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Nissan's Shiro Nakamura To GM: "You need to touch your customers more!"]]> Nissan's chief design guru Shiro Nakamura knows GM pretty well from his time at Isuzu during the GM-Isuzu Alliance of the 1980's. So when Shiro speaketh on the issue of the General, we try and listen. It seems Shiro had something to say at the opening of a new Nissan facility in Japan today. Shiro was very outspoken in his belief GM has "a lack of customer-orientation," and that, more than anything, is what's led the automotive titan to it's current situation. Well, you may be asking yourself...self, why is this important? It's important cause it reflects a potential killer in any auto company, especially one under seige, an insular hunker-down and bunkered approach to external criticism. Now you may be askin' yourself...self, why's this bad? It's bad cause if you can't listen to your customers telling you what they like, you certainly aint listenin' when they're telling ya what they don't like. And that is probably a bad thing to do when you're like, designing cars for them and stuff. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=164325&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Classic Acrobatics: Isuzu Gemini Ad from Japan]]> Metafilter brings us this classic Isuzu ad from Japan, a showcase of extreme car acrobatics that make Mazda's Zoom-Zoom feats look like just another busy morning on I-95. We're not sure when the ad was produced, but as one MF commenter points out, the Isuzu Gemini models featured are circa 1985. Seriously, watch it — it's way better than you think it might be. [Thanks to Mic for the tip.] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=145960&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Isuzu Withdraws from Detroit Auto Show]]> Isuzu, GM's longtime truck and diesel-engine partner — whose US sales have effectively come to a halt — announced yesterday it was withdrawing from the Detroit auto show. A spokesman told the Detroit News that, despite the obvious apocalyptic conclusions, the company — which has yet to crack 10,000 US sales this year — has no intention of pulling out of the market. Considering it sold 6.5 million trucks and SUVs in the US during the 1980s and 1990s, it appears the circus is just a packed-up tent short of over. Of course, they did come up with the Duramax diesel engine that saved GM's truck business, but whatevs. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=127318&view=rss&microfeed=true