Isuza leaving U.S.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Isuzu to exit U.S. light vehicle market


Kathy Jackson


LOS ANGELES -- Isuzu has made it official: It is leaving the light-vehicle market in the United States.
In a conference call today with the board of the U.S. Isuzu Dealer Advisory Council, Isuzu said it will stop selling new vehicles here on Jan. 31, 2009.
" It's very sad," said council Chairman John Galeani, who owns City Isuzu in Jacksonville, Fla. " I've been with them for 20 years, but they are committed to making it as painless as possible for the dealer body."
In a press release this afternoon, Isuzu Motors America said it is leaving because General Motors may discontinue the Ascender SUV and its small-pickup platform.
Isuzu has 201 dealers and sells only two models -- the five-seat Ascender, based on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer; and the i-series pickup, derived from GM's ...