From Automotive News (Trade magazine). These guys study and live auto trends. Shortened version, just showing where Isuzu stands. Need to bring back the Rodeo in a diesel and hybrid version....or even an (ugh) much lighter car-based frame and the 4-cyl engine.
-----------------------
Now that the proposed alliance between Renault-Nissan and General Motors has fallen through, industry watchers are handicapping the marriage prospects of other companies.

To be sure, there is no unanimity on this. Chrysler group CEO Tom LaSorda told Dow Jones Newswires that he does not expect any major alliances. LaSorda predicted that automakers will launch some minor joint projects and perhaps some regional alliances involving marginal companies such as Isuzu Motors.

But I disagree.

There are just too many medium-sized players out there that eventually will have to find a partner. Does anyone really believe that Fiat S.p.A, Suzuki Motor Corp. or Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is going to remain independent for the next five years?

Those carmakers ranked 11th, 12th and 13th in the world in 2005 sales, according to the Automotive News Data Center. Their sales ranged from 1.3 million at Mitsubishi to 2.0 million at Fiat. That's a lot more than 17th-place Isuzu's 630,000.