Isuzu launches in Canada

Isuzu will establish a commercial truck sales and service network in Canada, which will include its Class 3-5 LCF trucks this year. The OEM has formed Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada (ICTC), with a goal of beginning sales in June.

“Establishing the Isuzu brand in Canada will give us the opportunity to offer great trucks in a growing market, giving customers more choices when it comes to selecting the right truck for their business,” said Makoto Kawahara, president of ICTC.

Isuzu said its new network will offer Canadian customers direct sales and support. Previously Isuzu-built LCF vehicles were available in Canada only as GMC W-Series branded trucks.

The vehicles will be imported by ICTC from the U.S. and marketed through a sales network of local dealers, the company explained. ICTC is wholly owned by Isuzu Commercial Trucks of America Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited in Japan. ICTC will be based in Toronto.

The Canadian commercial truck market for Class 3-7 is 16,000 units, of which the LCF segment is about 14%, ICTC said. GMC commercial dealers sold 700 units of the Isuzu product badged as GMC W-Series in 2006. ICTC said it will sell both gas- and diesel-powered versions of the line.

For more information, go to www.isuzucv.com/