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NEWS
GM, Isuzu to co-develop new ute
General Motors and Isuzu take first step in another joint-venture ute to replace Colorado and D-MAX Memorandum understandingHolden’s new Colorado and Isuzu’s latest D-MAX are barely six months old in Australia, but another jointly developed ute to replace both models by the end of this decade already appears to be taking shape.
The parent companies of both brands issued a joint statement this week confirming discussions about the development of “a next-generation pick-up truck” are under way.
“GM and Isuzu have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to start negotiations towards jointly developing a next-generation pick-up truck,” said GM on January 9. “Moving forward, both companies will discuss specifics regarding the project.”
No details have been revealed about the companies’ next joint-venture, but Japanese newspaper Nikkei has reported that the deal will be made official late this month during a US meeting between Isuzu President Susumu Hosoi and GM CEO Dan Akerson.
According to Nikkei, the companies will also continue to discuss the possibility of another equity tie-up between the two car-makers, which have financial ties dating back to 1971.
GM’s stake in Isuzu increased to as much as 49 per cent in 1999, but successive financial losses by the Japanese commercial vehicle brand and GM’s own economic strife in recent years saw North America’s largest auto-maker relinquish its remaining stake in Isuzu in 2006.
GM and Isuzu have partnered-up to develop a number of one-tonners in the past, including Holden’s new Colorado and Isuzu’s latest D-MAX, which are built in separate factories in Thailand and were launched in Australia in June.
Holden’s third-generation (2003-2008) Rodeo was based on Isuzu’s first D-MAX, before the facelifted RA-Series Rodeo was rebadged as the Colorado and Isuzu Ute Australia was established to import the D-MAX to Australia for the first time in October 2008, after Isuzu prevented Holden from using the Rodeo name following its split with GM.
The new Colorado and D-MAX utes still ride on the same ladder chassis and both are available in single-, twin- and extended-cab body styles but, for the first time, the latest generations of both models come with unique engines and sheetmetal, differentiating the Colorado from the D-MAX more than ever before.
It’s not clear yet whether the next-generation Colorado and/or D-MAX utes will again spawn rugged seven-seat off-road wagons like Holden’s newly released Colorado7 or a new Isuzu SUV that’s expected to join it on sale in Australia this year.
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Written byMarton Pettendy
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