Celebrating 35 Years of Isuzu Trucks in the US
This month marks the 35th anniversary of award-winning Isuzu Trucks in the United States. The OEM powerhouse is known for their versatile and durable rigs and low-cab-forward style of trucks. The company has grown from the first KS22 model to commanding 73 percent of the class 3-5 U.S. LCF truck market.
Isuzu Trucks’ History in the US
Isuzu Trucks of America was founded on March 21, 1984 and the first Isuzu truck arrived in November of that year. The KS22 model had no tilt cab and was powered by an 87-hp engine.
The KS22 was quickly embraced by truck buyers and gained massive popularity for those who were looking for durability, dependability and low cost of ownership in a medium-duty truck. In 1986, a little over a year after it brought the KS22 to the states, Isuzu Trucks became the best-selling low-cab-forward manufacturer in America. The company has maintained this position ever since — an unprecedented 32 consecutive years.
Looking Forward with Isuzu Trucks
Isuzu’s current lineup consists of Class 3 – 5 N-series and the award-winning Class 6 FTR. With its continued success stateside as well as throughout the world, Isuzu Trucks continues to advance medium-duty technology. They recently announced that it would add two gasoline-powered Class 5 models in mid-2020, further expanding their line up.
The company is also making strides in environmentally friendly technology. They featured last year at the 2018 Work Truck Show an all-electric truck. The electric-featured Isuzu box truck was based on the Class 4 NPR-HD. Nordresa, a developer and manufacturer of commercial electric powertrains based out of Quebec, was chosen to modify the N-Series trucks.
Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada says that while the company is celebrating Isuzu Trucks’ first 35 years in the North American market the company continues to look forward. “The new NQR and NRR gasoline trucks coming next year demonstrate that we are focused on the future, and providing quality, reliability, and low cost of operation to the North American marketplace for another 35 years—and beyond”, Skinner said.
Nextran Truck Centers is proud to offer Isuzu Trucks. We sell and service hundreds of Isuzu Medium Duty Trucks. For more information on buying or servicing Isuzu vehicles for your fleet, give us a call or visit one of our 16 locations in the Southeast.
