The History of Isuzu® Trucks
Isuzu Motors has been a world leader in the manufacture of medium- and heavy-duty trucks for almost 100 years, both in their native Japan and internationally. Their dealer network includes hundreds of dealers here in the United States as well. In fact, Isuzu is the top-selling brand of low cab-forward trucks in America.
Curious to know how this company got its start? DeBary Truck Sales, located in Sanford, is your Florida Isuzu truck dealer, serving Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami as well as greater Atlanta, GA. Read on to learn more about this illustrious Japanese truck manufacturer and how they came to dominate the industry.
In the Beginning
Back in 1916, two companies in Tokyo, Japan, created plans to manufacture automobiles: the Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Ltd., and the Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Company. In 1919, the first truck rolled off of Japanese assembly lines at a factory in Fukagawa. Truck production was halted in 1923 following a major earthquake, but resumed in 1927.
The Ishikawajima Motor Company (as it had then been known) changed its name to “Isuzu” in 1934. The name “Isuzu” means “50 bells” and it comes from a river in the Mie Prefecture of Japan. During World War II, Isuzu assisted heavily in the modernization of Japanese transportation and they contributed a significant number of their vehicles to the war effort.
Heading to the United States
In November 1984, Japan shipped their first Isuzu truck, the KS22, to the Jacksonville, Florida, port. This truck’s low cab-forward design proved exceedingly popular in the United States thanks to its superior maneuverability and hundreds of businesses made use of these trucks. Isuzu soon became the United States’ leading producer of low cab-forward trucks, and over 500,000 Isuzu trucks have reached American shores in the 38 years since their first introduction.
Awards & Recognition
Isuzu has received a lot of accolades during their many years in business. Work Truck magazine named Isuzu trucks their “Medium-Duty Truck of the Year” in 2012, 2013 and 2018. Isuzu technicians from the United States placed second in Japan’s 2017 World Technical Competition, too. More recent models of Isuzu trucks are designed to be especially environmentally friendly, meeting greenhouse gas emission regulations a year ahead of when they were actually required to do so.
Ready to start shopping? Come on down to our dealership in Sanford, FL, today to check out our wide stock of new and used Isuzu trucks for sale. DeBary Truck Sales welcomes all our customers throughout the state of Florida, along with those of you coming from the Atlanta, GA, metro area.