Isuzu Celebrates 40 Years in the U.S. With a Diverse Truck Lineup

Medium-Duty Truck Owners Demand Versatility

Owners of trucking fleets are increasingly focused on efficiency, sustainability, driver satisfaction, and technology integration. One of the sweet spots in the transportation sector is the medium-duty category. These trucks, which are larger and more powerful than light-duty vehicles, are perfect for urban deliveries and commercial services. 

Isuzu is a long-time leader in the U.S. and Canadian truck market. The distributor of America’s best-selling low-cab forward trucks offers practical, durable, and customizable vehicles that cater to the needs of commercial users. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America has been the number-one-selling low-cab truck in the United States since 1986. Now, the company is marking its 40th anniversary in the U.S. with an expanded line of gas, diesel, and electric vehicles – from Class 3 to Class 7.

Leading the charge is the newly released NRR EV, Isuzu’s powerful Class 5 electric truck. Coming next is the updated N-Series diesel, which features multiple configurations and cab options. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America’s U.S. presence includes corporate offices in Anaheim, Calif.; three parts distribution centers; two centers of excellence for training; and an engineering facility. The company also has a partnership with Cummins, a leading engine manufacturer. What’s more, three Isuzu products are assembled in Charlotte, Mich.: the N-Series gas, F-Series class 6 and 7 diesel, and the new NRR EV.

“Our footprint here in the overall United States is quite strong, and we have an 80% share of the low-cab forward market," says Brian Tabel, assistant vice president of marketing for Isuzu. “We have a diverse product line that gives customers a wide range of choices for right-sizing their fleets to meet their specific needs and operating conditions.”

A ZEV for the Future

Topping Isuzu's product lineup for 2024 is the all-new N-Series EV truck, assembled in the U.S. The NRR EV was designed and built to meet stricter emission requirements. The new EV will help fleet owners comply with California’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) regulations, which went into effect in 2024, and with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new standards for light- and medium-duty trucks.

The NRR EV is available in three wheelbases and four battery options, ranging from 60kWh to 180kWh. The NRR EV is powered using from three to nine 20 kilowatt-hour, lithium-ion battery packs that attach to the outside of the frame rail on the chassis. Compared to conventional lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries are lighter, last longer, and don’t require traditional maintenance.

Diesel Has Its Advantages

Diesel trucks remain popular among fleet owners thanks to a combination of fuel efficiency, hauling capability, and durability. Isuzu’s 2025 N-Series diesel trucks offer a turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The updated 2025 truck line-up features a new, high-tensile-strength steel frame. The new N-Series diesel also offers a wide range of standard safety features. This includes standard driver and outboard passenger SRS frontal airbags and standard four-wheel-disc braking technology. Standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) also help stabilize the truck.

The diesel-powered N-Series features wheelbases from 109 to 212 inches and GVWRs from 14,500 to 19,500 pounds. It also shares many of the same advanced technologies as the EV model, such as high-tech safety systems.

Gas-Power for Everyday Loads

The transition from ICE trucks to ZEVs is expected to happen gradually over the next 20-plus years. The United States has committed to 100% zero-emission truck sales nationwide by 2040. But McKinsey projects that it will be 2050 before ZEVs fully supplant ICE vehicles.

In the meantime, ICE trucks will continue to be a mainstay for most truck fleets. Isuzu has been producing gasoline-powered N-Series trucks since 1994, and the Isuzu N-Series Class 5 Gas Truck was named Medium-Duty Truck of the Year Award for 2024 by Work Truck magazine. The Isuzu gasoline truck line ranges from Class 3 and 4 models with an 8-speed GM transmission to Class 5 models with an Allison 2500 series transmission.

F Series Offers Rugged Versatility

Class 6 and Class 7 trucks are medium-duty trucks used for everything from food distribution to long-haul equipment transport. The Isuzu F Series fills this niche with trucks that are engineered and assembled in the U.S.

The Isuzu FTR and FVR models, with 25,950 and 33,000 pounds of GVWR respectively, are powered by the Cummins B6.7 diesel engine paired with an Allison transmission. Options include eight wheelbases, ranging from 152 to 248 inches, that can accommodate body sizes up to 30 feet. Configurations range from vans and rollbacks to chippers and dump trucks.

Keeping Pace With the Market

Isuzu is one of only two OEMs, along with Ford, building its own line of medium-duty trucks from Class 3 through 7. Isuzu has come a long way since the first KS22 truck was introduced in the U.S. in 1984. But the company continues to keep pace with the changing demands of the marketplace.

“By the way,” says Tabel, “truck enthusiasts can see the first Isuzu model sold in the U.S., which is still in the showroom at Tom’s Truck Center in Santa Ana, California. Tom’s is one of 333 Isuzu dealers across the U.S. and Canada. We also have a customer in Florida who still uses the original model for his landscaping business.”

Isuzu’s dealership network is committed to an exceptional ownership experience. Sales and service associates go through extensive training every year in order to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.

“Isuzu trucks have dominated the market because of their quality, durability, and versatility,” says Tabel.  “Of course, we also have a loyal customer base and steadfast support from a very strong and experienced dealer network.”

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