A few surprises here in Japan. Isuzudealers don't have a any vehicles...except the GM's they are about to start selling directly here. Alot of dealers are closed down. My friend in town is open, but doesn't have a sindle vehicle. Infact he sold his last Wizard(Rodeo) last week.

I spoke to an Isuzu friend last night (a test driver). He said that Isuzu's plan to scrub the Bighorn (Trooper) but still run wth the Wizard/Mu (Rodeo/Amigo ??) platform is no longer.

He did say however, that Isuzu look about to take a vehicle from the GM platform as the new Bighorn. That will keep the Bighorn line continuing in Japan...but its a GM.

Isuzu were long confident that they would remain the stalwart of the GM diesels. The Duramax (which is actually produced by a GM subsidiary...Isuzu's former US diesel division...and based on all Isuzu diesel data) looks like it might take over. All Isuzu diesel staff, but the Isuzu name with be absorbed, and likely forgotten by the next generation.

GM is withdawing Isuzu from the market, but no one appears exactly sure how it is to be re-configured. Ford has absorbed Mazda but left it as an original brand in the market place. GM has absorbed Isuzu, but appears it won't maintain it as an original brand, except the truck division.

I thought the Rodeo/Amigo platforms were going to operate out of NA, but I'm not so sure now. The platforms themselves may disappear.

As always, news updates would be appreciated.

Bighorn.

Oh, BTW, the Duramax is smaller than you think. That's one of its innovative features. The problem with it is actually in the numbers themselves. It appears unlikely to find a way into smaller trucks because there is (at present) only one transmission that can handle its incredible output. Size constraints are related to the trans. size, not the engine size.

<small>[ 23 July 2002, 12:42 AM: Message edited by: Mr. Bighorn ]</small>

It looks like the Trooper will be replaced by a rebadged Trailblazer XL called the Ascender.

http://www.edmunds.com/future/2003/isuzu/ascender/4drsuv/preview.html

http://www.isuzu.com/ascender/multimedia/shell.html

http://www.nctd.com/sneakpreview.cfm?ReviewID=15

<img src="http://www.nctd.com/sneakpreviews/03ascender-1.jpg" alt="" />

<small>[ 23 July 2002, 08:53 AM: Message edited by: Sporin ]</small>

Yep, those of us at moab got to see an ascender up close. unfortunately it was a 2wd model with the ground clearance of a honda, and the isuzu rep even told us it was not designed to go off-road and was not the vehicle for us off-road types. at least he was honest <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> he did say the rodeo was getting a full rebuild for 2004 and would be getting a mini D-max.

Dallas

It looks like the Trooper will be replaced by a rebadged Trailblazer XL called the Ascender.
***NOT*** a replacement.

The Trooper nameplate is being retired.
A new nameplate is being created.

Separate issues, bad timing.

Randii

The D-Max is comming? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> I thought only GM is getting it in the states. If the D-Max Comes, I would get it.

Here's some info on the D-Max:
http://www.isuzu-tis.com/

Con

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by StinkBug:
<strong>Yep, those of us at moab got to see an ascender up close. unfortunately it was a 2wd model with the ground clearance of a honda, and the isuzu rep even told us it was not designed to go off-road and was not the vehicle for us off-road types. at least he was honest <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> he did say the rodeo was getting a full rebuild for 2004 and would be getting a mini D-max.

Dallas</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by paisan:
<strong>Why you ask is it a bad thing...

Well let's see...

A-Arm Recall
Fit & Finish on American Cars generally SUCKs

Other than that, yeah the aftermarket will be nice to have.

-mike

</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I agree 100%. I bought a Japanese SUV for a reason. Not b/c I'm un-American; on the contrary, I am quite the flag-waving yahoo. But, as Paisan said....

yea i have been a loyal isuzu fan since a buddy of mine bought a 1986 trooperII from his wifes co-worker(god bless that woman)it instantly became our most valuable piece of hunting equipement <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

since then i have had (3)isuzus,a 1986 trooperII/1989 amigo/1993 trooper and still have the 1993!! my brother still owns the 1986 trooperII!!!

i have seen the writing on the wall though and knew that i wouldnt be able to get a new trooper when i was ready for one <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

i will always be a fan of isuzu/troopers especially <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

thanks for the space to post
douglas hunt