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Isuzu First to Use Internet for New Model Choice:

18 November 1999

Isuzu First to Use Internet for New Model Choice:

   American Isuzu Motors Inc. Inspires Consumers to Name Newest SUV Concept
                  By 'Ultimate' Internet Suggestion Contest

    CERRITOS, Calif., Nov. 17 -- American Isuzu Motors Inc.
(AIMI), today announced an innovative marketing campaign as "radical" as its
head-turning VehiCROSS sport-utility vehicle.  Putting the future of its next
SUV concept into the cyber-hands of American automotive enthusiasts, AIMI has
launched what appears to be the automotive industry's first internet-driven
concept-vehicle naming contest.  Called the "Isuzu Ultimate Naming Challenge,"
the website oriented competition asks contestants to visit the Isuzu website
and suggest names for the firm's newest concept -- which shows one possible
future evolution of the SUV.

    "Our marketing slogan tells consumers that we 'Go Farther' in all we do
... we think this internet naming contest proves once more that Isuzu is not
afraid to challenge the traditional with new and different ways of operating
its business.  Even the cherished launching of a new concept model is fair
game," said Bob Reilly, AIMI's senior vice president, COO, SUV.

    AIMI generally hosts over 350,000 visitors to its website each month.  The
contest begins November 17th, 1999 and ends December 15, 1999.  The winning
name will be announced next year and the grand prize will be a new Isuzu
SUV -- winner's choice.

    "We're confident that the thousands of regular visitors to the Isuzu
website and countless other attracted by the contest will log-on and
demonstrate their automotive creativity.  Living as we do in the internet age,
this contest seemed a natural connection to "net-izens" interested in Isuzu
product," Bob Reilly added.

    Contest entries must be made by a valid e-mail account and entrants must
be over eighteen years of age.  Competitors will be asked to comply with
specific contest rules as outlined on the website.  Once at the Isuzu site,
registrants can view representations of AIMI's newest concept vehicle and
learn of its development history, equipment and projected market segment.
Multiple entries will be accepted and there's no restriction on creativity,
other than good taste.

    Presented at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, this new Isuzu SUV concept serves
as the inspiration for the future SUVs to be sold in the US.  This concept
Isuzu, designed to meet the multi-functional needs of American SUV drivers of
the new century, is powered by a 3.5 liter 24-valve DOHC V6 engine and
equipped with Isuzu's respected Torque-on-Demand(R) traction system.  But
these and other technical features pale, when compared to the concept's
spectacular exterior design and interior architecture which already have the
automotive experts buzzing.

    "Isuzu designers explained the concept as the next iteration of our
sport-utility heritage.  We prefer to think of it, as the forerunner of an
entirely new SUV genre.  Likewise, we see our internet naming contest as the
forerunner of an entirely new automotive marketing genre and an another
expression of Isuzu's 'Go Farther' approach to the market," added Reilly.