• February 1, 2008

The sands of time are running out for consumers seeking an Isuzu. The company--which, in addition to making vehicles, made David Leisure something of a household face as a low-rent car salesman--is leaving the North American market. The Cerritos, Calif.-based company has virtually vanished from the radar after beginning a plummet in 2000.

The last automaker to call it splitsville with the U.S. was Korean marquee Daewoo, which lives via a cross venture with GM, giving life to cars like the Chevrolet Aveo.

Per Isuzu, the end will come Jan. 31, 2009. Says the company in a release, the U.S. market is no longer viable, since General Motors will stop making its Ascender SUV, and the i-290 and i-370 pickup trucks.

Terry Maloney, president/COO of the company, says Isuzu will keep servicing customers and dealers "for years to come," and honor all product warranties and roadside assistance programs and maintain its owner-relations call center.

The company says it will offer all current, U.S. Isuzu vehicle dealers the opportunity to continue on as service dealerships for Isuzu. "Let me make it crystal clear, Isuzu will discontinue the sales of vehicles only. Our parts and service operation will remain fully functional. We expect the vast majority of our dealers will continue to service our loyal Isuzu customers," said Mahoney.

--Karl Greenberg