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Isuzu Rings in the New Year With Strong Retail Sales

5 January 1999

Isuzu Rings in the New Year With Strong Retail Sales

    WHITTIER, Calif.--(AutomotiveWire)--Jan. 5, 1999--American Isuzu Motors Inc. (AIMI) celebrates the new year with total 1998 retail sales reaching 101,830, an 11 percent increase over last year.
    Its third-highest December ever, Isuzu monthly sales reached 10,351, a 32 percent jump over 1997.
    "This is Isuzu's greatest year-over-year sales increase in over 12 years," said Bob Reilly, chief operating officer. "The best ever when you consider that the last record was set when we were still adding 100 dealers a year as part of our original network start-up plan."
    Leading the sales was the Rodeo, Isuzu's most popular SUV, enjoying its third-highest December ever with 5,719 units posted. The Trooper, Isuzu's flagship, boasted a 66 percent increase in sales over 1997 with a year-end total of 18,191.
    The new Amigo, which was reintroduced last year after a three-year hiatus, enjoyed its second-highest month ever at 1,006 units. The Hombre finished its best year ever with a 157 percent monthly increase over last December.
    American Isuzu Motors' light vehicles are distributed through a network of 553 dealers across the United States.

                      AMERICAN ISUZU MOTORS INC.
                     Retail Sales: December 1998

                               Dec. Month/Last Year    YTD/Last Year
                                  1998      1997      1998      1997

Trooper                          1,927     1,332    18,191    10,964
Amigo                            1,006         0     7,088         0
Pickup total                         0         0         0        12
 (Import                             0         0         0        12)
 (Domestic                           0         0         0         0)
Hombre Pickup                    1,572       611    14,991    13,984
Oasis                              127       104     1,671     2,944
'97 Rodeo                            9       542       865    52,025
'98 Rodeo                        5,710     5,275    59,024    11,602
Total                           10,351     7,864   101,830    91,531

Total car                          127       104     1,671     2,944
Total truck                     10,224     7,760   100,159    88,587
 
Import car                         127       104     1,671     2,944
Domestic truck                   8,297     6,428    81,968    77,611
Import truck                     1,927     1,332    18,191    10,976