R.I.P.Isuzu Motors America, LLC, of Cerritos, California, went to heaven on January 31, 2009. Isuzu passed away quietly in its sleep after years on life support.
Isuzu America was born to parents Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding & Engineering Company and Tokyo Gas & Electric Industrial Company in 1980 and sold its first vehicle, the P'up, in 1981. In its youth, it was known for its line-up of quirky compact cars and even quirkier pitchman, Joe Isuzu (nee David Leisure). As it matured, it came out with one SUV after another.
Isuzu America's first marriage was to Geo, son of General Motors. This was followed by a marriage of convenience with Honda. The Passport/Rodeo, Trooper/Acura SLX, and Odyssey/Oasis were born out of that union. Eventually, Isuzu was reunited with the General. By the end of its life, it was as if the two were one and the same.
Isuzu's lasting legacy will be its range of boxy, underpowered SUVs: the Trooper, the Amigo, the Rodeo, and the VehiCross. Celebrity owners of Isuzu's include: None.
It is survived by a skeletal patchwork of service dealerships which will continue to honor warranties and roadside assistance programs.
When asked for his thoughts, David Leisure responded "I thought they already had stopped selling here."
Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly, or not.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Isuzu to the following not-for-profit organization:
-General Motors
CKY
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