Compiled from multiple sources, including Isuzu advertisements and internet websites

1853

• Ishikawajima Shipbuilding Yard is founded by the Mito branch of the Tokugawa family in Edo (Modern Tokyo).



1889

• Ishikawajima Shipbuilding Yard is incorporated as Ishikawajima Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd.



1907

• Harima Dock (later Harima Shipbuilding and Engineering) was established in Kobe.



1916

• Initial planning for the manufacture of automobiles was made at Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd., one of two forerunners of Isuzu.



1918

• Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Co., Isuzu's other forerunner, begins production the A truck.



1920

• Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Co. opens a branch factory built specifically for automotive production at Fukawgawa and negotiations with british manufacturer Wolseley.



1922

• Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Co. signs an agreement with British manufacturer Wolseley for the Far East marketing rights for Wolseleys.
  
• Introduction of the Wolseley A9, the first car built in Japan, under the license of Wolseley, of the United Kingdom.



1923

• Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Co. begins unofficial production of the Wolsesly CP truck for the Japanese govenrment.
  
• The Great Kanto Earthquake and fire destroys the entire Fukagawa automobile plant and all design blueprints.
  
• Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial begines rebuilding the Fukagawa automobile plant.



1924

• In March, Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Co. formally received authorization from the Japanese War Ministry to begin producing Wolseley CP trucks for the Japanese government in the newly rebuilt Fukagawa automotive plant.



1927

• Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding & Engineering ended its tie-up with Wolseley and began manufacturing the 100% localized vehicles of its own design.



1928

• The company succeeded in manufacturing vehicles (Sumida) of its own design.



1929

• The automotbile section of Harima Dock Co., Ltd. is spun off to become Ishikawajima Automotive Works.
  
• Ishikawajima Automotive Works Company becomes Automobile Industries Company and markets original cars under the names Sumida (Named for the Sumidagawa River, Tokyo's main river) and Chiyoda.
  
• Harima Dock Co., Ltd. is renamed to Harima Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd.



1933

• Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Company merges with DAT to form Jidosha KK (Ishikawa Auto Works).
  Ishikawa Auto Works launches a government standard car which it named "Isuzu" after the river upon which the Ise shrine is located.



1934

• The company's products were officially nominated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as the national standard vehicles of the time.



1936

• The first 5.3 liter air cooled diesel engine was developed, the forerunner of various subsequent Isuzu diesel models.



1937

• Jidosha KK and Automobile Industries merge to become Tokyo Jidosha Kogyo (Tokyo Automotive Industry)(former name of Isuzu). The company was newly incorporated, on the current system of organization.



1938

• Tokyo Jidosha Kogyo opens a new plant at Kawasaki.



1939

• Tokyo Jidosha Kogyo enteres an agreement with to produce diesel injection systems under license from Bosch.
  
• DA40 diesel engine developped and introduced.



1942

• Tokyo Jidosha Kogyo spawns Hino (renowned truck builder).



1945

• Ishikawajima Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd. changes to Ishikawajima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (Later to be known as IHI, maker of ships, bridges, airplanes, and most notably the turbochargers used in Isuzu vehicles).



1946

• TX80 introduced.



1949

• The company adopted its present name, Isuzu Motors Limited, named after the sacred Isuzugawa River which is itself a sacred shrine and passes by the oldest and most sacred shrine in Japan.



1953

• The company entered into technological assistance agreement with Roots Motors Limited of Great Britain. (The agreement was terminated in 1965).
  
• The first Hillman produced as a result of this agreement.



1957

• The Hillman reaches 100% original local content.



1959

• "ELF" light duty truck, the world's first 2-ton light duty forward control truck, is introduced.
  The ELF has maintained a No. 1 share of the domestic market for 22 years.



1961

• The Bellel is introduced, the first original Isuzu-designed car.



1962

• Fujisawa plant opens.



1963

• Renowned passenger car Bellett produced.



1965

• Giorgetto Giugiaro joins Corrozeria Ghia and immediately begins design work on the Isuzu 117 Coupe.



1967

• The Ghia designed Florian saloon is introduced.



1968

• Introduction of the sporty two-door luxury 117 Coupe.
  
• Isuzu produces it's 400,000th post war truck, which included 4000 US-pattern 6x6 trucks for the US Army Procurement Agency.



1970

• Isuzu's anual domestic sales exceeded one million vehicles for the first time.



1971

• The Affiliation Agreement between Isuzu and GM was concluded. Upon the authorization GM has obtained 34.2% of Isuzu shares.



1972

• KB Pickup exported to North America as the Chevy LUV.



1974

• Isuzu started the sales of small size passenger car "Gemini" (GM World T-car) developed through the close cooperation of Isuzu and GM.



1975

• The Gemin passenger car was introduced in Australia by Holden.



1976

• The Gemini passenger car was introdued as the Kadett in the U.S.A. in April by Buick Motor Division.



1978

• The one-millionth export vehicle was shipped in August.
  
• In September, the production of the world-first, one-ton pick up truck 4 x 4 version was started.



1979

• Isuzu achieved the annual sales of 100,000 units of diesel engines for the first time as a Japanese manufacturer.
  
• The Gemini is revised.
  
• General Motors discontinues the Kadett in the US market.
  
• The 117 Coupe Giugiaro is released as a special edition.
  
• The Asso di Fiori (Ace of Clubs) Piazza prototype is displayed by Giugiaro's Ital Design and Isuzu Motors at the Tokyo Auto Show. The design draws wide acalim from the automotive world.



1980

• American Isuzu Motors Inc., a U.S. sales company for the Isuzu cars was established in Los Angeles, U.S.A.
  
  

  1981

  • The Piazza, an advanced passenger car in the Japanese market in a record two years from prototype to production.
    
  • American Isuzu Motors Inc. started the sales of passenger cars and pickups.
    
  • Isuzu introduced the Trooper light 4x4, a new 4WD wagon and the WFR, multi-utility wagon/van worldwide.
    
  • The KP pickup is released in the US as the P'up.
    
  • The Trooper is introduced in Australia as the Jackaroo by Holden.
    
  • The Gemini is released in the US as the I-Mark.
  
  

  1982

  • Isuzu Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation has been established to cope with growing international competition in automotive market.
    
  • The WFR Shuttle is released in Australia by Holden.
    
  • Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, and Chrystler Motors Company each purchase and import Piazzas to reverse engineer and integrate Isuzu design and technology into their own products.
  
  

  1983

  • Isuzu enters into a joint project to make 4x4s with General Motors and Suzuki.ten-million shares are exchanged between Isuzu and Suzuki.
    
  • Isuzu's Thailand sister company produces its 100,000th vehicle.
    
  • Isuzu Aska, passenger car (GM World J-car) is been introduced in the domestic market.
    
  • The heavy duty trucks/tractor units were fully model-changed and introduced as C&E Series.
    
  • The Piazza is introduced in the US as the Impulse, available only with SOHC engine.
  
  

  1984

  • N Series Light Duty Trucks and LR Buses was introduced worldwide. Isuzu has opened its new plant in Hokkaido, Japan.
    
  • The Piazza Turbo is released with a new intercooled turbocharged engine.
    
  • The Gemini is redesigned by Giugiaro with a front wheel drive layout (GM World R-car).
    
  • The Gemini is introduced in the US by General Motors as the Spectrum.
    
  • The Trooper is introduced in the US.
    General Motors discontinues the Chevy LUV pickup.
  
  

  1985

  • The Gemini Passenger car and New F-Series Medium Duty Trucks was introduced in the Japanese Market.
    
  • The Impulse Turbo is released in the US.
    
  • The Piazza is introduced in Britain. Isuzu GB goes bankrupt within months due to mismanagement and is taken over by International Motors.
    
  • The Gemini is introduced in North America as the I-Mark.
  
  

  1986

  • Total export sales goes over 3 million units.
    
  • The Piazza is introduced in Australia under the Holden badge in April.
    
  • The Gemini is introduced in Canada by General Motors through its Asuna division as the Sunburst.
    
  • Isuzu comissions Masao Watanabe of Duo Power to create a Impulse convertible for the Isuzu display at the 1987 Tokyo Auto Show.
  
  

  1987

  • Isuzu celebrated the 50th Anniversary.
    
  • The Impulse RS is introduced, only available in turbocharged and with stiffer suspension. It is only available for the 1987 model year.
    
  • Isuzu releases the Non-turbo Impulse in the US with a larger, 2.3 liter NA engine.
    
  • Isuzu opens production plants for trucks in America.
    Isuzu displays Masao Watanbe's creation of a Impulse convertible at the 1987 Tokyo Auto Show.
    Isuzu comissions a British custom body shop to creat a gull wing Piazza from two Piazzas for use in the Isuzu display at the 1988 Tokyo Auto Show.
  
  

  1988

  • Production figure for heavy duty diesel engines at Kawasaki factory passes the 2,000,000 mark.
    
  • Isuzu is No. 1 truck maker in the world.
    
  • The Piazza and Impulse and Gemini and I-Mark receive "Lotus Tuned Suspension" as well as mild exterior and interior revisions
    Isuzu displays a gull wing Piazza at the 1988 Tokyo Auto Show.
  
  

  1989

  • Opening ceremony held for "Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc. (SIA)", a new American production plant completed under a cooperative agreement with Fuji Heavy Industries.
    
  • Isuzu is No. 1 truck maker in the world.
    
  • The I-Mark RS is introduced with DOHC engine and mild exterior and interior revisions.
    
  • The Amigo Sport Utility is released in the US.
  
  

  1990

  • Isuzu's production of medium and heavy duty trucks (over 6.1 ton GVW) for fiscal 1989 was highest in the world. Isuzu is No. 1 truck maker in the world for third straight year.
    
  • Isuzu redesigns and releases the Piazza in front wheel drive body.
    The Piazza front-wheel-drive is released in the US as the Impulse XS.
    Isuzu designs the Gemini Coupe (a sister to the Piazza, sharing basic frame and structure).
    
  • The Gemini Coupe is released in the US by General Motors Geo division as the Storm.
    
  • Isuzu introduced the New Gemini in the Japanese market.
    
  • Isuzu discontinues the I-Mark in the US market.
    
  • Holden discontinues the Gemini in the Australian market.
    
  • General Motors discontinues the Spectrum in the US market.
    
  • Isuzu and Sumitomo Metal Industries have jointly produced the world's most compact retarder for the braking systems of heavy duty trucks.
    
  • The Rodeo is released in the US.
  
  

  1991

  • The Gemini is released in the US as the Stylus.
    
  • The Impulse RS is introduced in the US with it's all-wheel-drive layout.
    
  • The Storm 3dr Wagonback and Impulse XS 3dr Wagonback are introduced.
    
  • The World's first prototype of electric truck completed.
    
  • The New Isuzu head office building "Omori Bellport" completed.
    
  • Isuzu introduced the new Big horn (Trooper).
  
  

  1992

  • American Isuzu Motors Inc. achieved one million units sales.
    
  • Trooper won class victory in '92 Australlion Safari. ISUZU announces Company's Charter for Environment. Trooper received the "1992/1993 Japan Car of the Year" Selection Committee Award.
  
  

  1993

  • The Impulse is discontinued in the US market.
    
  • The Piazza is introduced in Canada by General Motors through their Asuna division as the Sunfire.
    
  • UCS (Mu) took the prototype diesel class victory in the Paris-Dakar Rally.
    
  • The all-new N series were introduced.
    
  • Troopers took first and second place in the class of '93 Australian Safari.
    
  • The Rodeo is named Motor Trend's "Best Import Sport/Utility Buy".
  
  

  1994

  • The Stylus is discontinued in the US market.
    
  • General Motors discontinues the Sunfire in the Canadian market.
    
  • Trooper won the Marathon class victory at the 1994 Paris-Dakar Rally.
    
  • Trooper finished first in its class at the Pharaoh Rally.
    
  • The Rodeo became the first SUV to win the Alcan Winter Rally.
    
  • Shatai-kogyo Co., Ltd. merged with Isuzu.
    
  • The New F series van and dump truck awarded with MITI's G Mark.
    
  • Isuzu achieved the cumulative diesel engine production total of ten million units.
  
  

  1995

  • Isuzu discontinues producing the Gemini, Piazza, and Aska, and removes itself from producing cars to produce only turcks.
    
  • Isuzu begins seling Honda Accords rebadged as Geminis.
    selling
  • General Motors discontinues the Storm in the US market.
    
  • The Rodeo is released in the US as the Passport by Honda.
  
  

  1997

  • The Rodeo is redesigned and rereleased.




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