American Isuzu Appoints COO: Duke T. Hale to Join Isuzu SUV Division

8 November 2000
American Isuzu Appoints COO: Duke T. Hale to Join Isuzu SUV Division
    CERRITOS, Calif., Nov. 8 Automotive industry career
veteran Duke T. Hale has been named Senior Vice President & Chief Operating
Officer, SUV Division of American Isuzu Motors Inc., effective November 13.
Hale previously served as Vice President, Customer Service and Parts
Operations, Mazda North America.  He most recently directed all parts and
customer service operations for Mazda.  During his tenure with that company,
Hale established several company records for profitability and customer
satisfaction.  He is recognized for having developed and implemented customer
satisfaction initiatives that earned Mazda consumer and industry accolades.
    Hale's prior career assignments include service to Starcraft Automotive,
Mazda Motors, Volvo Cars, Chrysler Corporation and Ford Motor Co.  His
extensive automotive career broadly covers sales, marketing, operations, parts
and service disciplines.  He succeeds Robert W. Reilly.
    "Mr. Hale's comprehensive automotive experience and particular skill set
in the areas of customer satisfaction, sales, marketing, service and parts are
equally matched by his strategic planning abilities.  These were clearly
valued at Mazda where he helped launch important new vehicles, revitalized key
departments and created profitable turnarounds in vital corporate divisions,"
said AIMI President, Y. Sudo.
    Hale officially joins Isuzu November 13 and will immediately assume
responsibility for the launch of the all-new Axiom sport-utility.  Expected to
begin retail sales in spring '01, the Axiom is an important new model for
Isuzu's SUV Division.
    "I'm excited and honored to join the Isuzu executive team at a time when
our industry is entering a new and dynamic phase.  Isuzu is synonymous with
the SUV concept and our newest model offers the consumer and our dealer
partners, an innovative option to other traditional and crossover
sport-utilities.  While unlike any Isuzu vehicles yet introduced, Axiom
clearly benefits from our SUV heritage and credibility...interpreted for a new
and changing market.  I'm anxious to participate in its launch," said Hale.
    Hale resides in San Clemente, CA.  He is a graduate of Ball State
University and attended post graduate studies at Duke University and Columbia
University.

    American Isuzu Motors Inc. is the U.S. distributor of Isuzu sport utility
vehicles, commercial vehicles and diesel engines.  For more information call
(800) 662-2464 or point your browser to http://www.isuzu.com on the worldwide web.