Rick Balsiger, Vice President, Marketing & Product Planning

    CERRITOS, Calif., March 21 Rick Balsiger, an automobile
industry veteran, joins American Isuzu Motors Inc. as the new Vice President
of Marketing and Product Planning.  He will be responsible for all national
and regional advertising, online and off-line promotions, auto shows, sales
training and product planning.
    Balsiger has held several positions while at Mazda North American
Operations, most recently as the Director of Brand Integration.  In that role,
he was credited with directing the development and launch of the dealer
customer satisfaction initiative, known as Mazda Elite, and also led the
integration of key customer relationship management activities within Mazda.
He previously served as Mazda's Zone Sales Manager for California and Hawaii,
Director of Marketing for the western United States, and Director of
Advertising, Mazda Corporate.
    "We are extremely fortunate to have someone with Rick's diverse and
extensive background join us here at American Isuzu Motors," said Duke Hale,
Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, SUV.  "His track record and
experience in the industry are unsurpassed and we look forward to working with
him."
    Rick graduated from the University of Redlands with a Bachelor of Arts in
Business Management.
    Married with two sons, Rick enjoys golf, tennis, writing and travel in his
spare time.