Isuzu plans U.S. truck comeback

Isuzu Motors Limited is planning to build a plant for mid-size trucks in Alabama, according to Nihon Keizai Simbun, a Japanese newspaper.
The Japanese truck maker recently purchased land for $7.8 million in Birmingham, which was previously occupied by a warehouse of Del Monte Foods, the story said.

The company expects to start operation of the new plant in 2010 with approximately 5000 units slated for initial annual production. There was no information about the specific models that will be produced at the new plant.

Isuzu once had a joint venture in Indiana with Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru automobiles, but sold out to Fuji in 2003. It was also affiliated with General Motors, which ultimately sold its entire 7.9% stake in Isuzu.

Isuzu's current truck sales in the U.S. amount to about 27,000 units of a truck which is a version of GM's compact pickup.

[Source: The Daily Auto Insider]

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