Isuzu Motors Limited has increased it’s stake in DRB-HICOM majority owned Malaysian Truck & Bus Sdn Bhd from 20% to 51%, making it MTB’s new majority shareholder. MTB Sdn Bhd’s management will be replaced by Isuzu personnel who will hold CEO and COO positions, and the company will become a subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited. A name change to Isuzu Hicom Malaysia Sdn Bhd is also underway, and Malaysia will become one of Isuzu’s foreign manufacturing bases.
Isuzu takes up majority stake in MTB Sdn Bhd
June 23, 2007 at 7:33 pm Filed Under Cars, Isuzu, Local News
New Toyota-Isuzu turbodiesel engine plant
June 16, 2007 at 3:52 am Filed Under Cars, International News, Isuzu, Toyota
Increasing demand for diesel-burning Toyota cars in the European market has prompted isuzu to build a new plant in Japan to increase supply to keep up with demand. The new US$110.5 million plant in Hokkaido is set to be completed by 2012, and will make up to 200,000 units of a new 1.6 litre turbodiesel engine a year.
Japanese newspaper Nikkei reports that this new 1.6 litre turbodiesel engine will be jointly developed by Toyota and diesel-experts Isuzu, and will be used in C-segment cars like the Toyota Corolla for the European market.
Isuzu VehiCROSS
Even though first introduced ten years ago back in 1997, the Isuzu VehiCROSS still looks space today. The Isuzu VehiCROSS was never intended to be a mass production model, produced only as a halo car. In concept form, it was showcased with both 4-door and a roadster body, but only the 2-door version made it’s way into production. Underneath it lay mostly mechanicals from the Isuzu Trooper, and engine options were also the same 3.2 litre and 3.5 litre V6 petrol engines that make over 200 horsepower.
Despite it’s looks, it had real offroad capabilities, including a low ratio transfer case. It’s 4-wheel-drive system was also advanced for it’s time, using a Torque On Demand system from BorgWarner, using 12 independent sensors to detect wheel spin and redirecting power to the wheels with the most traction.
Now, why am I blogging about this? Well, there’s a 1999 model Isuzu VehiCROSS on sale on Ebay Malaysia, and the bid is standing at about MYR 108,000.00 right now. There are only 4309 units in the whole world.
Isuzu MU-7 SUV based on D-MAX
Much like the Toyota Fortuner was conceived through the IMV ladder frame of the Toyota Hilux, Isuzu has created an SUV based on the Isuzu D-MAX. Like it’s pick-up brother, the 7-seater Isuzu MU-7 is powered by a 3.0-litre DOHC 16-valve 4JJ1-TC common rail turbodiesel engine. It’s made in Thailand, but there’s no news of whether it will be coming to Malaysia anytime soon.
Isuzu D-MAX
We have a new addition to the recent launch of new pick-up trucks this year – The Isuzu D-MAX. Isuzu in Malaysia has always been focused on heavy trucks and pickups mostly with diesel engine. Their presence is represented here with their Trooper and Citation trucks and Rodeo pickups. Their diesel expertise is acknowledge, with Honda asking them to give input into the award winning i-CTDi engine. Earlier diesel Hondas also used Isuzu oil burners.
