In May of this year, Isuzu released a report titled "Progress in the Medium-Term Business Plan 2024", in which Isuzu clearly laid out the route of its new car strategy and its future business development plans.
In its existing business, Isuzu plans to expand its product lineup by the end of fiscal 2022 with a full-model change of medium and small cars, according to the report.
The new model will be developed under a new modular design concept called "I-MACS" (Isuzu Modular Architecture and Component Standard) and is expected to be launched in the Japanese market and gradually expanded overseas through the Isuzu and UD sales channels.
In 2023, a new tractor called the First cooperation with Volvo will be launched on the Isuzu UD channel. The tractor is billed as a new product with enhanced product appeal and is expected to be equipped with some Volvo technology not currently available in the vehicle.
In last year's medium-term plan, work began on the Isuzu /UD General large-scale platform, which is expected to be developed in collaboration with Volvo in the area of advanced technology, and the heavy-duty truck using the platform will be launched in 2024.
In terms of new energy products, Isuzu's carbon-neutral strategy is to start mass production of the lightweight ELF electric light Truck in 2022, which will be launched in Japan, the United States and Europe. It is expected to launch in its home market of Japan models with GVW smaller than 3.5t compatible with ordinary license plates.
For medium-duty trucks Isuzu has developed the F-Series electric truck for the North American market, which is equipped with the Cummins PowerDrive 6000 power system. For heavy trucks, Isuzu has no specific electric truck development plan.
Isuzu is more interested in fuel cell vehicles with superior range than pure electric trucks. Currently, Isuzu and Honda are working together on a large fuel cell truck. The Giga FCV with Honda Clarity FC power unit is under development. Models such as electric pickups for overseas markets are also being considered.