2005 NADA: Isuzu's Announcements at the Convention

January 31, 2005

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 31 -- Officials of Isuzu Motors America, Inc. met with their franchised dealers at the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) convention here today.

J. Terry Maloney, president of Isuzu Motors America, Inc. announced today that the company will be adding the i-Series pickup truck to its line-up of sport utility vehicles for the 2006 model year. The i-Series will come in two versions: the i-280 4X2 Extended Cab, equipped with a 2.8-liter inline four- cylinder gasoline engine with either a manual or an automatic transmission; and the i-350 4X4 Crew Cab, with a 3.5-liter inline five-cylinder gasoline engine and an automatic transmission. Both models will be backed by Isuzu's 7-year/75,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and 7-year/75,000-mile roadside assistance plan. Production of these two models is expected to begin in June 2005. Pricing has not been announced. Isuzu Motors America currently offers the Ascender sport utility vehicle in both a 5-Passenger version and a 7-Passenger version.

Isuzu Motors America also announced that, after considerable long-term effort and expenditures, Isuzu Motors Limited (IML) has been unable to develop the RF08 sport-utility vehicle to the point where it would be both competitive and cost effective for the North American market. As a result, IML has decided to not to proceed further with the RF08 project. "Although the discontinuation of this project is disappointing," Maloney said, "I am excited about the introduction of the new i-Series pickup truck. The i-280 and i-350 will be introduced one year sooner than the earliest possible introduction of the RF08 and will be far more competitive. I believe that the introduction of the i-280 and i-350 will help to maintain and enlarge the customer base for Isuzu and its dealers in the U.S. market."

Isuzu Motors America further announced that IML is engaged in and has devoted resources toward engineering research and development of light duty diesel engines (3.0-liter class) for the North American market. Development of the most advanced diesel engine for the U.S. market would be a significant technological asset for Isuzu. "IML is confident about the future of diesel technology as an environmentally friendly alternative to gas-power," Maloney reported. As a recognized worldwide leader in diesel engine technology, and based on IML's considerable expertise in the area, IML is optimistic that this diesel engine development project will be successfully completed and that IML can extend its leadership in diesel engine products to the North American market in the future.

Isuzu Motors America, Inc., is the U.S. distributor of Isuzu sport utility vehicles and diesel engines.