Isuzu Commercial Truck of America is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Isuzu trucks in the U.S. market. The company, then called Isuzu Truck of America, was founded on March 16, 1984.

The first Isuzu truck, the KS22, arrived in the United States in November 1984.

That 87-horsepower truck was quickly embraced by American truck buyers who were looking for a medium-duty truck with durability, efficiency, capability, and low cost of ownership, the company said.

The company said that in 1986, barely a year after its stateside launch, Isuzu became the best-selling low-cab-forward truck in the United States, a position Isuzu said it has held every year since — 37 consecutive years. Isuzu commands nearly 80% of the U.S. low cab forward truck sales, according to the company.

“I am proud to say that, of our nearly 300 dealers nationwide, four have been selling Isuzu trucks for the entire four-decade Isuzu history here, and we share this celebration with them,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada.  

4 Longest-Running Isuzu Commercial Dealerships

The four longest-standing Isuzu dealerships are:

• Green Isuzu Truck, Greensboro, North Carolina

• Midway Isuzu Truck Center, Phoenix, Arizona

• Pierre Isuzu Trucks of Everett, Everett, Washington

• Chapman Isuzu, Tempe, Arizona

Isuzu Commercial Product Lineup

“In addition to our dealers, we owe our success to a product lineup that has always been in tune with our customers’ needs,” Skinner added.

The company’s current medium-duty truck lineup includes:

• Class 3, 4, and 5 N-Series models powered by a 6.6L gasoline V-8

• Class 4 and 5 N-Series trucks featuring Isuzu’s 4HK1-TC turbodiesel

• Class 6 and 7 F-Series models with a Cummins B6.7 diesel under the cab

“We have never rested on our laurels, and we are not about to start now,” said Skinner.

Introduction of All-Electric Model in 2024

During the first half of 2024, Isuzu will introduce its first all-electric production model to the U.S. and Canadian markets.

The 2025 Class 5 NRR EV will feature a full 19,500-pound gross vehicle weight rating, an Isuzu-developed battery-electric platform, and an all-new cab design.

“There used to be a saying, ‘Life begins at 40.’ And although Isuzu trucks have had an amazingly successful first 40 years in the U.S. market, this really is just the beginning,” Skinner added. “The new NRR EV electric truck, our completely redesigned cab, our new suite of advanced driver assistance features and more prove that while we are thrilled to be celebrating this milestone anniversary, we are really focused on the future.”

Milestones in Isuzu History

Highlights of Isuzu’s history are:

• 1929 — The predecessors of Isuzu Motors Limited (Isuzu Commercial Truck of America’s parent company) built Japan’s first bus, with innovations including air brakes and an underfloor-mounted engine.

• 1936 — The predecessors of Isuzu Motors Limited built Japan’s first air-cooled diesel engine.

• 1949 — The name “Isuzu Motors Limited” is adopted. Isuzu is the name of a river that flows past one of Japan’s oldest and most sacred shrines. The word means “50 bells pealing in harmony.”

• 1955 — Isuzu diesel engines, diesel-powered snow tractors, and other equipment were delivered to Japan’s Antarctic Observation Base. Isuzu equipment has been operational at the South Pole ever since.

• 1959 — Isuzu Motors Limited introduced the Elf, the first generation of a line of forward-control vehicles now marketed in the United States and Canada as the N-Series.

• 1984 — Isuzu KS22 entered the U.S. market.

• 1986 — R.L. Polk certified Isuzu as the best-selling import commercial truck in the United States, a position now held for 37 consecutive years.

• 9988 — The two-millionth N-Series truck rolled off the assembly line in Japan.

• 1994 — The first U.S.-built gasoline-powered NPR-EFI was assembled in Janesville, Wisconsin.

• 2005 — The 50,000th N/W-Series gasoline-powered truck was built in Janesville.

• 2010 — Isuzu N-Series Trucks were the first medium-duty low-cab-forward trucks on the market to be EPA 2010 and CARB HD-OBD compliant and 50-state clean-idle certified.

• 2011 — Assembly of all Isuzu N-Series gas trucks for the U.S. and Canada markets began in Charlotte, Michigan.

• 2012 — Reach, a walk-in van powered by Isuzu, was named Medium Duty Truck of the Year by Work Truck magazine.

• 2013 — Isuzu N-Series was named Medium Duty Truck of the Year by Work Truck magazine.

• 2015 — Isuzu delivered its 500,000th Isuzu-built truck since entering the North American market.              

• 2016 — Isuzu opened its first Center of Excellence in northeast Pennsylvania—a state-of-the-art, 130,000-square-foot parts distribution, training and technical assistance facility. A second Center of Excellence opens the following year in Anaheim, California.

• 2017 — B10 durability rating of Isuzu 4HK1-TC engine was increased to 375,000 miles, meaning that 90% of Isuzu 4HK1-TC engines are expected to last 375,000 miles before they require a major repair or rebuild.   

• 2017 — Production of all-new Class 6 Isuzu FTR began in Charlotte.

• 2018 — Isuzu FTR named Medium Duty Truck of the Year by Work Truck magazine.

• 2018 — The 50,000th N-Series gasoline-powered truck rolled off the line in Charlotte.

• 2021 — Isuzu entered the Class 7 market with new F-Series models powered by the Cummins B6.7 diesel engine. Also available in Class 6 configuration, all F-Series trucks for the U.S. and    Canada are assembled in Charlotte.

• 2022 — NQR Crew Cab won Price Digests’ Highest Retained Value Award in the Medium-Duty Crew Cab and Chassis category.

• 2023 — The 100,000th N-Series gasoline-powered truck rolled off the line in Charlotte.

• 2023 — Isuzu announced that its first all-electric production model, the 2025 Class 5 NRR EV, will be introduced to the U.S. and Canadian markets in the first half of 2024.

• 2023 — Isuzu sets all-time records for sales of Isuzu-brand trucks and Isuzu parts.  

• 2024 — Isuzu celebrates the 40th anniversary of Isuzu trucks in the U.S. market.