Is GM Preparing To Sell Its Medium Duty Truck Line To Isuzu?
When it comes to trucks, General Motors is one of the largest manufacturers of these types of vehicles in the world. From the compact light duty GMC Canyon to the medium duty Chevrolet Kodiak, 
trucks wearing either the GMC or Chevrolet badge can be found plying America’s highways and byways.
Medium Duty Truck Line: Selling To Isuzu?
Now, word is coming out that GM may be looking to sell off its medium duty truck line which includes the T-Series, W-Series, as well as the beefy Topkick/Kodiak. These trucks serve a number of purposes from hauling farm supplies to carrying refrigerated goods to moving construction site debris. Retailing from $27,000 to $83,000, the medium duty truck line represents the largest vehicles produced by General Motors.
The buyer who may be interested in purchasing GM’s medium duty line is none other than Isuzu, the Japanese auto manufacturer whom GM at one time held a 49% stake in. Until very recently, GM also supplied light duty trucks to Isuzu to sell stateside, a relationship that is now coming to an end. Both companies have collaborated on a number of projects down through the years with Isuzu supplying GM with diesel technology as well as the platforms underpinning the W-Series and T-Series.
Separating Medium Duty Trucks From Light Duty Trucks
Untangling medium duty Chevrolet and GMC trucks from the GM portfolio could be a difficult thing to do, given that the vehicles are sold through hundreds of dealerships across the US, including some that also sell light duty trucks. But, GM could do the same that they did when they purchased Saab (and Ford with Volvo) by selling off its medium truck line while allowing Isuzu to use the GMC name. In addition, the two companies could share one or more production facilities including GM’s Tonawanda, NY engine plant which builds automotive, marine, and truck engines.
General Motors has been examining its entire portfolio lately to see which brands they might sell and which ones will survive. GM has been losing tens of billions of dollars and feeling the impact of a declining domestic market share over the past few years and has been actively shopping its Hummer brand since the summer. GM needs billions of dollars to pay for upcoming product development which will include the release of its plug-in hybrid, the Chevrolet Volt.
Concerning GM’s medium duty truck line, Isuzu says that they haven’t been contacted yet by General Motors with a proposal, but they would study the offer once it has been submitted to them.
(Source: Reuters)
Isuzu Quits US Market
Isuzu is gone or at least will soon be. One of Japan’s smallest 
automakers is quitting the US market, citing a lack of new products from partner GM as the reason for its leaving.
Although the company sent their own cars and trucks to the US for many years, Isuzu has in recent years relied on General Motors exclusively for their US product line up. The Isuzu Ascender SUV and the i-290 and i-370 extended cab model pickup trucks are re-badged GM products; GM has signaled that they will not be updating or replacing these models anytime soon.
First introduced stateside in 1980, Isuzu was known for producing the Rodeo SUV, I-Mark compact, and a host of edgy truck-like vehicles. Isuzu first abandoned sending automobiles to the US in the 1990s then stopped selling their own trucks a few years later. GM had a 49% stake in the company before selling out in 2002.
In a message fromTerry Maloney, President/COO of Isuzu of America, the company has promised to service and maintain Isuzu vehicles for years to come.
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