Isuzu Motors as a Truck Manufacturer

It is nearly 80 years since the first Isuzu truck pulled out of the factory and onto the road. From that day to the present, which sees Isuzu as Japan's largest, bestselling manufacturer of trucks, Isuzu has grown into an international corporation leading the automobile industry into the 21st century.
 

The First Car Builders in Japan

Isuzu Motors Limited, which regards the April 9th, 1937 establishment of Tokyo Automobile Industries Co., Ltd., as its offical date of establishment, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Tokyo Automobile Industries Co., Ltd., Isuzu's predecessor, was established through the merger of Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd., and the Motor Vehicle Department of Tokyo Gas & Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., both of which had been engaged in the domestic manufacturing of motor vehicles since the 1910s. Thus, Isuzu Motors is the first car builder in Japan.

History of the First Builders in Japan

1918 Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd., and Wolseley Motor Ltd., (UK) concluded an agreement on the manufacture and sale of Wolseley cars and trucks.

1919 Tokyo Gas & Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., produced its TGE truck under the auspices of the "Military Vehicle Supporting Act."

1922 The first Japanese-made Wolseley A9 car was produced by Ishikawajima.

1937 Tokyo Automobile Industries Co., Ltd., was founded by the merger of Ishikawajima and Tokyo Gas & Electric.

1938 TX40 truck completed.

1939 DA40 diesel engine developed.

1949 The company adopted the present name of Isuzu Motors Limited.

Isuzu Plays Leading Role in Truck Markets

In 2000, Isuzu Motors Ltd. maintained its position as Japan's largest truck manufacturer in the category of medium- and heavy-duty trucks with gross vehicle weight (GVW) of at least 6.1 tons (14,000 lbs), producing 64,840 units in 2000.

Production volume statistics released by automobile manufacturer associations around the world were used to compile the figures, which represent individual countries and do not include consigned production.

A slight recovery of domestic demand contributed to move up Isuzu's ranking in the world market to number four in 2000 from number five in 1999, when the reces-sion in Japan and Southeast Asia dam-aged sales.

In addition to world popularity of Isuzu medium- and heavy-duty trucks, the Isuzu N Series trucks, known as the Elf in Japan, have enjoyed a good reputation in the Japanese market for more than 40 years.

In 1999, the long-selling model achieved an amazing 30 straight years in the number-one position in annual registrations of cabover trucks with two- to three-ton payloads. The series also enjoys an excellent reputation in many other markets around the world. For example, some 30,000 units are produced each year in China. In North America, the series has held the number-one spot among imported trucks of its kind for no fewer than 15 straight years.

2001 Truck Production