Origins:
Tokyo Ishikawajima (shipbuilding); started car manufacture in 1916; in 1922. Made Wolseley A9 under license; from 1953 to 1965 as Isuzu (founded in 1949) built Hillmans under Rootes Group license. Produced Bellel in 1961 (first Japanese diesel car); agreement with General Motors in 1971, launched Gemini (Isuzu engine, GM platform and body) in 1974. First mass-production model: Isuzu Bellel (1961). Model most sold abroad: Isuzu Gemini - 35,770 units exported in 1979.
Milestones:
Number of employees (as at 1979): 17,175.
Position among Japanese Manufacturers (as at 1979): 8th (1.4 per cent of home market).
Position among manufacturers/exporters (as at 1979): 7th.
Car assembly plants abroad (as at 1979): Australia (GM Holden), Thailand, Philippines.
Associates (as at 1979): General Motors holds 34.2 per cent of capital, and 51 per cent of Isuzu Finance Co. Isuzu is the GM importer for Japan.
Group products (as at 1979): Cars, trucks, vans, buses, four-wheel drive vehicles, tractors, petrol and diesel engines.
Range: Isuzu 117 (two models), Isuzu Florian (two models), Isuzu Gemini (eight models).
Isuzu Car Production 1956 - 1979 |
Year |
Production |
Exportation |
|
2,042 |
- |
|
2,794 |
- |
|
2,963 |
- |
|
3,914 |
- |
|
7,933 |
- |
|
10,875 |
- |
|
15,357 |
63 |
|
22,495 |
679 |
|
34,436 |
4,389 |
|
30,515 |
9,892 |
|
32,599 |
6,511 |
|
38,716 |
5,346 |
|
39,776 |
4,664 |
|
36,429 |
40,62 |
|
18,815 |
3113 |
|
14,769 |
1162 |
|
13,274 |
127 |
|
14,734 |
105 |
|
28,140 |
3,963 |
|
64,735 |
22,784 |
|
91,157 |
62,903 |
|
74,971 |
34,649 |
|
102,883 |
54,731 |
|
86,397 |
36,008 |
|