I thought the above article would get *some* sort of comment.
Here's a follow-up.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Only a handful of Isuzu dealers showed up for the make meeting here, including two from South Africa. And the dealer body, which sold only 708 vehicles in January, heard nothing about new product.

"I feel frustrated about that," said Sean Tynan, owner of Tynan's Isuzu in Aurora, Colo. Tynan said he sells only two to three vehicles per month, and he said he's doubtful Isuzu can survive in this market. "They told us nothing; it was the same old thing," Tynan said.

Dealers said the company did say it would roll out a new co-op advertising program soon. They did not get specifics on the program but said company execs told them it will be easier for dealers to qualify for advertising dollars. Under the current program, dealers must sell at least 10 vehicles per month and spend $10,000 to $15,000 per month on advertising to qualify for the co-op dollars.

"They say it will be more dealer-friendly," said dealer Tad Hinder of Hinder Isuzu in Bel Air, Md. Hinder said the company shared no information about new product but told dealers it has no intentions of leaving the United States. "I believe them," Hinder said. "They're profitable now, so I think they can build from there."

The two dealers from South Africa were on a fact-finding trip to learn more about the U.S. market. Patrick Morris, of Key Isuzu in Durbin, South Africa, said dealers there sell a full-range of Isuzus from cars to light trucks to medium-duty trucks. He said his store sells 300 to 400 units annually.

"We travel to get an international perspective," Morris said. "I don't know much about the U.S. market, but the company is firmly behind us in South Africa."