The History of Isuzu Trucks

In 1916, Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Co. initiated a plan to start automobile production in Japan. In 1919, Japan’s first truck was built by the company, which would later become Isuzu Motors Limited. In 1936, the first air-cooled diesel engine was built in Japan by Isuzu Motors Limited. In 1959, the company built the first 2-ton light-duty low cab forward truck in the world; it was the direct processor of Isuzu’s modern N-Series trucks. The first Isuzu commercial truck didn’t arrive in the United States until November 10, 1984. It was the KS22 model, which featured an 87-hp naturally aspirated diesel engine and a manual transmission. It offered a low cab forward design that introduced U.S. business owners to a new type of truck — one that was highly maneuverable, inexpensive to own and maintain, and known for being durable. Just two years after being introduced to the U.S., Isuzu trucks became the best-selling low cab forward trucks in America. This is still true today and, in fact, Isuzu commercial trucks are now a common sight on roads all over the world.