Isuzu to Pull Out of Detroit Auto Show Next Year As U.S. Sales Plummet

DETROIT September 23, 2005; Dee-Ann Durbin writing for the AP reported that Isuzu, the Japanese truck specialist that has been stung by falling U.S. sales, said Friday it is pulling out of the prestigious North American International Auto Show next year, a decision sure to fuel speculation about the automaker's future in the U.S. market.

Isuzu Motors America Inc. spokesman Chip Letzgus said despite the decision, Isuzu is committed to remaining in the U.S. market.

"Isuzu has said repeatedly that we have no intention of pulling out of the U.S. market," Letzgus said. "There's nothing to be read into that."

But the company has fallen far from the 1980s and 1990s, when it helped pioneer the sport utility vehicle with its Isuzu Trooper. Isuzu's U.S. sales fell by more than half in the first eight months of this year to a total of 9,166, according to Autodata Corp. That was one-tenth of a percent of the 6.5 million trucks and SUVs sold in that period.

Isuzu sells three vehicles in North America: the Ascender SUV and the i-350 and i-280 midsize pickups. The company has leaned heavily on General Motors Corp., which owns a 10 percent share of Isuzu, to bring those products to market. All three share basic architecture with GM vehicles, and they're built at GM plants.

Letzgus said Isuzu has never seen strong sales in Detroit, and the company has only three dealerships in the area. He also expressed disappointment that the organizers of the North American International Auto Show moved Isuzu's display from the main floor to the basement three years ago, in part because of the company's small U.S. market share.

"The Detroit show is a big show as far as the press is concerned, but Detroit is not a big market for us," he said.

Nearly 7,000 members of the media covered the North American International Auto Show last year, and 773,422 people visited the show over nine days, making it one of the largest auto shows in the country. Next year's show is scheduled for Jan. 8-22, including several media preview days. The show takes place at Detroit's Cobo Hall.

Letzgus said January marks the first time Isuzu will not show vehicles in Detroit.

Letzgus said Isuzu will exhibit for the first time at some other shows in areas where Isuzu sales are heavier, including Sacramento, Calif.; San Antonio; Raleigh, N.C.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Knoxville, Tenn. All of those shows will happen before the spring of next year, he said.

Isuzu Motors America Inc.: http://www.isuzu.com