The Isuzu Faster is a
pickup truck that was manufactured and marketed by
Isuzu between 1972 and 2002 over three generations. The Faster was succeeded worldwide by
Isuzu D-Max
The Isuzu D-Max is a pickup truck manufactured since 2002 by Isuzu Motors. A successor of the Isuzu Faster/KB, the first and second-generation model shares its platform with the Chevrolet Colorado. The third-generation model shares its plat ...
, except in North America.
First generation (1972–1980)
Isuzu of Japan introduced the ''KB20'' / ''25'' series Faster pickup in 1972. The regular
wheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels. For road vehicles with more than two axles (e.g. some trucks), the wheelbase is the distance between the steering (front ...
models were designated "20", while "25" referred to the longer version. Derived from the
Isuzu Florian
The Isuzu Florian is an intermediate class car manufactured by Isuzu Motors Ltd. in Japan from November 1967 to 1983. The Florian's body remained essentially the same through its unusually long life cycle, being afforded only two moderate facelif ...
, the Faster shared many components, including doors and the front-end assemblage. It served as a replacement for the
Isuzu Wasp, a pickup version of the
Bellett which preceded the Florian. Both single and twin headlamp front fascia designs were produced.
Due to the exterior dimensions, and engines offered were found to be in compliance with
Japanese regulations, the platform was classed in the favorable "compact" designation, and competed with other Japanese made products sold in Japan at the time.
In most export markets, Isuzu rebranded the Faster as the "Isuzu KB".
Ruiz (1986) The Spanish surname Ruiz originates from the Germanic personal name " Hrodric" which is composed of the elements "Hrōd", meaning "renown", and "rīc", meaning "power(ful)", thus "famous ruler". Ruiz is a patronymic from the personal name Ruy, a sh ...
, p. 131. However, the Faster was often distributed through
General Motors (GM) retail channels and sold under the
Chevrolet brand as the "
Chevrolet LUV
The Chevrolet LUV and the later Chevrolet LUV D-Max are light pickup trucks designed and manufactured by Isuzu and marketed in the Americas since 1972 by Chevrolet over four generations as rebadged variants of the Isuzu Faster and D-Max.
''L ...
"—''LUV'' being an acronym for ''light utility vehicle''.
Bedford
Bedford is a market town in Bedfordshire, England. At the 2011 Census, the population of the Bedford built-up area (including Biddenham and Kempston) was 106,940, making it the second-largest settlement in Bedfordshire, behind Luton, whilst ...
, the European commercial vehicle subsidiary of GM also offered the vehicle under the "Bedford KB" name.
The Isuzu Faster used a traditional pickup truck chassis with a ladder frame and a
leaf spring
A leaf spring is a simple form of spring commonly used for the suspension in wheeled vehicles. Originally called a ''laminated'' or ''carriage spring'', and sometimes referred to as a semi-elliptical spring, elliptical spring, or cart spring, i ...
live axle rear suspension. At the front, the A-arm suspension used an
independent configuration. The wheelbase was similar to its competitors, as was the cargo bay. Unlike for the preceding
Wasp
A wasp is any insect of the narrow-waisted suborder Apocrita of the order Hymenoptera which is neither a bee nor an ant; this excludes the broad-waisted sawflies (Symphyta), which look somewhat like wasps, but are in a separate suborder. ...
, there was also a long wheelbase version (''KB25'') which had between the axles, which made for a bed.
In 1978, a
four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, also called 4×4 ("four by four") or 4WD, refers to a two-axled vehicle drivetrain capable of providing torque to all of its wheels simultaneously. It may be full-time or on-demand, and is typically linked via a transfer cas ...
version became available, with the ''KB40'' chassis code but sold under the "Faster Rodeo" label in Japan. There was also a double cab (on the longer chassis) version. Sales ended in 1980 when the second generation was introduced. The engine used in most markets was a carbureted gasoline
SOHC inline-four of , which was complemented by a diesel four (''KBD'') which produced . Top speeds were and for the gasoline and diesel versions respectively.
In Japan, an overhead valve engine (G161) was fitted originally; this produces for a top speed.
;Australia
General Motors-Holden
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian subsidiary company of General Motors. It was an Australian automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter which sold cars under its own marque in Australia. In its last three ...
imported the Faster into Australia from November 1972 under the name "
Chevrolet LUV
The Chevrolet LUV and the later Chevrolet LUV D-Max are light pickup trucks designed and manufactured by Isuzu and marketed in the Americas since 1972 by Chevrolet over four generations as rebadged variants of the Isuzu Faster and D-Max.
''L ...
", renaming it "Isuzu KB" in 1977 before it was replaced in December 1980 by the second generation model (badged "
Holden Rodeo
The Holden Rodeo is a utility vehicle (pickup truck) that was sold in Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) by Holden. Introduced in 1980, the Rodeo was built by Isuzu over three generations.
Prior to the launch of the Holden Rodeo, Holden h ...
").
Bebbington (2009) Bebbington is an English surname. Notable people with the surname include:
* Anthony Bebbington (born 1962), English university professor
* David W. Bebbington (born 1949), British historian
* Keith Bebbington (born 1943), English former footballer ...
, p. 279. "KB Rodeo: December 1980 to August 1988"; "GM-H had been importing light and heavy Isuzu trucks from Japan since the early 1970s. First of these was the Isuzu KB utility, sold as the Chevrolet LUV (Light utility Vehicle). The reputation and recognition of this little utility grew over time until in 1977, the Chevrolet name was deleted and the Isuzu nameplate was used instead. Late in 1980, KB received a major facelift edesign With new sheetmetal, the opportunity was taken to re-badge the car yet again – this time as Holden Rodeo." Holden launched the LUV in Australia with the 1.6-liter inline-four gasoline engine delivering approximately of power and of torque.
Gaining an early reputation for reliability and durability, these original rear-wheel drive models featured a four-speed manual transmission, short-wheelbase construction, and circa payload capacity.
An update in 1978 expanded the LUV range—now comprising the short-wheelbase ''KB20'' model, the new long-wheelbase ''KB25'' and the four-wheel drive ''KB40'' short-wheelbase.
These ''KB25'' and ''KB40'' variants were offered in both cab chassis and utility (pickup) body styles and could be specified with the 1.6-liter gasoline engine or the newly available 1.95-liter inline-four diesel.
The diesel produced and .
;North America
Responsibility of sales in North America was delegated to General Motors. Thus, the Isuzu was retailed via
Chevrolet dealerships as the "Chevrolet LUV". The only engine was a
SOHC inline-four
A straight-four engine (also called an inline-four) is a four-cylinder piston engine where cylinders are arranged in a line along a common crankshaft.
The vast majority of automotive four-cylinder engines use a straight-four layout (with the e ...
which produced .
Sales in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
began in March 1972 as a response to the
Datsun
Datsun (, ) was an automobile brand owned by Nissan. Datsun's original production run began in 1931. From 1958 to 1986, only vehicles exported by Nissan were identified as Datsun. Nissan phased out the Datsun brand in March 1986, but relaunche ...
and
Toyota
is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. It was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda and incorporated on . Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing about 10 ...
pickup trucks, as well as
Ford's Mazda
, commonly referred to as simply Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Fuchū, Hiroshima, Japan.
In 2015, Mazda produced 1.5 million vehicles for global sales, the majority of which (nearly one m ...
-built
Courier
A courier is a person or organisation that delivers a message, package or letter from one place or person to another place or person. Typically, a courier provides their courier service on a commercial contract basis; however, some couriers are ...
.
To circumvent the 25 percent tariff on
light trucks (known as the
chicken tax), LUVs were imported in
cab chassis
A chassis cab, also called a cab chassis or half truck, is a type of vehicle construction, often found in medium duty truck commercial vehicles.
Instead of supplying the customer with a factory pre-assembled flatbed, cargo container, or other e ...
configuration, which included the entire light truck, less the cargo box or truck bed and were only subject to a 4 percent tariff. Subsequently, a truck bed would be attached to the chassis and the vehicle could be sold as a light truck.
The LUV's exterior was updated slightly for the 1974 model year, but the first major update came in the 1976 model year, when a three-speed
automatic transmission
An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated to auto or AT) is a multi-speed transmission used in internal combustion engine-based motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving ...
option and front
disc brakes were added. Power was up to for 1977, and sales continued to rise. An exterior refresh and the addition of a cargo bay option, with longer wheelbase, brought sales up to 71,145 in 1978. The addition of four-wheel drive for 1979 brought the LUV to the attention of ''
Motor Trend
''MotorTrend'' is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, and designated the first Car of the Year, also in 1949.
Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles published ''MotorTrend'' until 1998, when it was sold to ...
'' magazine, and earned it their second "
Truck of the Year" award. The LUV was the first four-wheel-drive minitruck available and set a new trend.
Sales peaked at 100,192.
Second generation (1980–1988)
The second generation was more commonly marketed worldwide under the Isuzu label (either as the "Isuzu KB" or just plain "Pick Up"). It continued to use the "Rodeo" suffix for the four-wheel drives. The second generation model was the first Isuzu pickup offered in three cab styles: single cab, double cab and "Space Cab" ("Sports Cab" in some markets). Sales in the UK continued as the Bedford KB.
This generation was not shared with the GM North American
GMT325 platform, which replaced the North American Chevrolet LUV in 1982.
Australasia
Holden in Australasia distributed the second generation Isuzu Faster between January 1981 and August 1988 as the first generation or ''KB'' series "
Holden Rodeo
The Holden Rodeo is a utility vehicle (pickup truck) that was sold in Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) by Holden. Introduced in 1980, the Rodeo was built by Isuzu over three generations.
Prior to the launch of the Holden Rodeo, Holden h ...
", for which production started in December 1980.
Bebbington (2009) Bebbington is an English surname. Notable people with the surname include:
* Anthony Bebbington (born 1962), English university professor
* David W. Bebbington (born 1949), British historian
* Keith Bebbington (born 1943), English former footballer ...
, p. 280.
Early KBs were fitted with circular
headlamp
A headlamp is a lamp attached to the front of a vehicle to illuminate the road ahead. Headlamps are also often called headlights, but in the most precise usage, ''headlamp'' is the term for the device itself and ''headlight'' is the term for ...
s and a horizontal four-bar
grille
Grill or grille may refer to:
Food
* Barbecue grill, a device or surface used for cooking food, usually fuelled by gas or charcoal, or the part of a cooker that performs this function
* Flattop grill, a cooking device often used in restaurants, ...
, but a 1983 model year facelift in December 1982 brought rectangular lamps with a 12-port grille insert as well as restyled
side mirrors.
At launch,
Holden made the Rodeo available in utility (
pickup) and
cab chassis
A chassis cab, also called a cab chassis or half truck, is a type of vehicle construction, often found in medium duty truck commercial vehicles.
Instead of supplying the customer with a factory pre-assembled flatbed, cargo container, or other e ...
body variants in both rear- (LWB) and four-wheel drive (SWB) layouts. All models featured a floor- or column-mounted four-speed
synchromesh manual transmission coupled with the 1.6-liter gasoline or 2.0-liter diesel engines. The 1983 model year update increased these
displacements to 1.8- and 2.2-liters, respectively. At the same time a new upmarket "LS" model was issued (coded ''KB28''), fitted with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and five-speed manual. For the 1984 year model, beginning in February 1984, the 2.0-liter became the base gasoline engine.
The 1985 model from July the same year
signaled another facelift, the release of the two-door ''Space Cab'' body style, the debut of a new 2.3-liter gasoline engine, and the deletion of the four-speed manual and column-shift selector (making the floor-mounted five-speed manual standard). From March 1986 (1986 model year), the 2.3-liter became the standard gasoline engine and in April the subsequent year, the 1987 models obtained a final facelift with an open rectangular grille design and optional
power steering.
Versions with unique local specifications were assembled in New Zealand at GM's
Trentham assembly plant. These were also badged as Holdens.
Europe
The second generation KB was introduced in many European markets, not only
Britain
Britain most often refers to:
* The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands
* Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...
, as the Bedford KB. In subsequent years continental markets saw a switch to Isuzu badging as General Motors stopped using the
Vauxhall
Vauxhall ( ) is a district in South West London, part of the London Borough of Lambeth, England. Vauxhall was part of Surrey until 1889 when the County of London was created. Named after a medieval manor, "Fox Hall", it became well known for ...
and
Bedford
Bedford is a market town in Bedfordshire, England. At the 2011 Census, the population of the Bedford built-up area (including Biddenham and Kempston) was 106,940, making it the second-largest settlement in Bedfordshire, behind Luton, whilst ...
brands outside of the United Kingdom.
It was called by the model code, Specifications and trims varied depending on market needs, but most received the 1.6-liter
G161Z petrol engine with a twin carburettor and , or the 2-liter
C190 diesel inline-four with . Two-wheel-drives were also available on a long wheelbase not offered in combination with four-wheel-drive.
North America
The United States continued to receive the Faster under the "Chevrolet LUV" name for the second generation, introduced in 1980 for the 1981 model year. The gasoline engine remained the same, but the LUV was now available with an Isuzu ''C223'' diesel engine making at 4300 rpm and at 2200 rpm. This new engine gave the rear-wheel drive diesel LUV a fuel economy rating of city / highway.
After the 1982 model year, General Motors stopped selling the Chevrolet LUV (although many '82s lingered on forecourts into the next year) in the United States in favor of their own
S-10 compact pickup. Meanwhile, Isuzu had sold their version in parallel with the LUV since their 1981 entry to the US market, under the name "Isuzu P'up" (short for "pickup"). Isuzu's version received another grille and other differences to set it apart from the LUV, not the least of which is the giant "ISUZU" block letters on the tailgate.
The P'up received the same engines as the LUV; either an 1.8-liter gasoline inline-four (''G180Z'') or a 2.2-liter diesel version with (''C223''). Four-wheel drive was available with either engine but only in short-wheelbase form, though some 4WD long-wheelbase diesel are known to exist, possibly dealer-installed or aftermarket conversions. Because of technology-sharing agreement between GM and Isuzu, the diesel was also offered with the LUV's
replacement until 1985. Later, the gasoline engine was upgraded to Isuzu's 1.95-liter four and a turbodiesel version was added, with the turbo standard on diesel-engined 4WD models.
For 1987, the P'up gained a "Spacecab" extended cab model.
[ This was only available in LS or Deluxe trim. Also new was the option of a 2.3-liter gasoline four (standard on 4WDs).][ Production for the Mexican and Latin American markets did not end until 1994.
]
South America
As with North America, the Isuzu KB was generally issued under the name "Chevrolet LUV" in South America. Manufactured in Colombia from Japanese complete knock down
A knock-down kit (also knockdown kit, knocked-down kit, or simply knockdown or KD) is a collection of parts required to assemble a product. The parts are typically manufactured in one country or region, then exported to another country or region ...
(CKD) sets, these models entered production in 1980 to be exported to other South American countries, continuing on until the release of the ''TF'' series in 1988. At the start, the versions assembled were the ''K-26'' and ''K-28''. It was offered with a 1584 cc (''G161Z'') engine. It was also offered a (''C190'') diesel version of 1951 cc with eight valves in the cylinder head and .[''Después 34 años General Motor cierra planta ensambladora de Arica'' / History General Motore Chile](_blank)
/ Accessed on 04/25/2018 This model of the Isuzu KB only was assembled in Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...
via CKD kits from Japanese origin.
Third generation (TF; 1988–2002)
For the third generation (''TF''), introduced in 1988, the domestic Japanese lineup was divided into two, with the "Faster" label used on rear-wheel drive
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, in which the engine drives the rear wheels only. Until the late 20th century, rear-wheel drive was the most common configuration for cars.
Most rear-wheel ...
versions with four-wheel drives now sold as the Isuzu Rodeo. Rodeo became the name used in most markets for this car, but the profusion of labels for different markets continued. Versions sold in the Americas were called Isuzu Pickup and Chevrolet LUV. In the United Kingdom, the pickup was called Isuzu TF and also Bedford Brava from 1988 until 1991 when the Bedford brand was dropped and it became the Vauxhall Brava. The Isuzu was also sold in mainland Europe along with the Opel Campo. This Opel branding was also utilized in the Middle East, parts of North Africa and some Asian countries.
Holden Rodeo was the only name used in Australasia, with the Isuzu KB name used in South Africa and some other markets. The names Isuzu Faster-Z, Isuzu TFR, and Honda Tourmaster were used in Thailand. A Thai-market SUV based on the TF was sold as the Thairung Adventure, produced in semi-knocked-down by Thai Rung Union Car
Thai Rung Union Car ( th, ไทยรุ่ง) is the only Thai-based automobile manufacturer. The company, established in 1967, began assembling Isuzu, Toyota, Nissan, and Chevrolet vehicles. In addition to assembly, It manufactures its own ...
. Names used in other markets include: Chevrolet T-Series (Egypt), Isuzu Ippon (Israel), Isuzu Fuego (Philippines), and as the Isuzu Invader in the north-eastern parts of Malaysia (Sabah). License built copies have been sold as the Jinbei SY10 series, Foton Aoling T-Series in China, where the car has served as a basis for innumerable local copies, authorized and unauthorized.
In Japan, two-wheel drive versions were called "Isuzu Faster", with the "Rodeo" name reserved for four-wheel drive units. In 1992, an updated version of the 4JB1 2.8-litre turbodiesel with direct injection was introduced; while the original 2.8 has , the direct-injected version offered at 3,600 rpm and of torque at 2,300 rpm. Japanese sales ended in 1994 without replacement, although export markets continued to receive the vehicle until replaced by the D-Max from 2002.
Isuzu Japan had Yokohama Motor Sales manufacture from 1990-1993 a 4 berth camper on the Isuzu Rodeo TFS55H chassis platform. This was the popular 4WD version which gave offroad accessibility and comfort. This option only came in the 2.8 litre 4JB1T engine option and 5 Speed manual with low/high transferbox. There was no automatic options offered.
File:Isuzu Rodeo Camper.jpg, 1998 Isuzu Rodeo LWB Camper TFS55H
The TF series received a facelift in 1997. Styling was changed, with a more rounded look at the front, and a new-look dash similar to that used in the 1995 to 1997 model Isuzu Wizard
Wizard, the wizard, or wizards may refer to:
* Wizard (fantasy), a fictional practitioner of magic
* Wizard (supernatural), a practitioner of magic
Art, entertainment and media Fictional characters
* Wizard (Archie Comics), a comic book supe ...
. In China, where the TF is still built by Isuzu's local joint venture partner Qingling Motors, it received a second facelift at the beginning of 2015.
Australia
Holden introduced the ''TF'' series into Australia in 1988, branded as the Holden Rodeo, following on from the name of the previous Isuzu based light truck sold by the brand in Australia. The Holden Rodeo was initially available with a 2.6-liter inline-four. A 2.8-liter turbodiesel
The term turbo-diesel, also written as turbodiesel and turbo diesel, refers to any diesel engine equipped with a turbocharger. As with other engine types, turbocharging a diesel engine can significantly increase its efficiency and power output ...
was introduced soon after. Body styles offered were a two-door single cab, a two-door ''SpaceCab'', with space for two small jump-seats (rarely if ever fitted in Australia) behind the front passengers, and a four-door ''Crewcab'', with space for the driver and four passengers. Several trim levels were available, which included DX (base model), LX (mid-range RWD, top of the 4WD range) and LT (top of the range, only available as an RWD petrol Crewcab).
The facelifted 1997 (1998 model year) Holden Rodeo came with a new trim level, LT Sport, available as a four-wheel ''Crewcab'' only. Airbags for the driver and front passenger also became an option. By 1998 the 2.6-liter engine was discontinued and a new engine was offered, a 3.2-liter V6. This engine was available in both rear- and four-wheel-drive. The rear-wheel-drive version had the same chassis, and thus ride-height as the four-wheel-drive, but without the transfer case and front axle. The 3.2-liter V6 was the most powerful engine in a pickup truck in Australia until it was replaced in 2003 by the new look Rodeo based on the Isuzu D-Max
The Isuzu D-Max is a pickup truck manufactured since 2002 by Isuzu Motors. A successor of the Isuzu Faster/KB, the first and second-generation model shares its platform with the Chevrolet Colorado. The third-generation model shares its plat ...
. Accordingly, this engine was the most popular engine in the Rodeo, and the Rodeo sold very well overall, near the sales numbers of the Toyota Hilux
The , stylized as HiLux and historically as Hi-Lux, is a series of pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. The majority of these vehicles are sold as pickup truck or cab chassis variants, although the ...
, traditionally the best-selling commercial vehicle in Australia.
The Holden Rodeo was updated once again in 2001 for the 2002 model year, with a new diesel engine, a 3.1-liter direct injection intercooled
An intercooler is a heat exchanger used to cool a gas after compression. Often found in turbocharged engines, intercoolers are also used in air compressors, air conditioners, refrigeration and gas turbines.
Internal combustion engines
Most ...
turbodiesel
The term turbo-diesel, also written as turbodiesel and turbo diesel, refers to any diesel engine equipped with a turbocharger. As with other engine types, turbocharging a diesel engine can significantly increase its efficiency and power output ...
. The update was also accompanied by minor styling changes, such as clear indicator lenses, and a different grille.
Europe
In Europe, the Isuzu was sold as the TF alongside the rebadged "Opel Campo". It was also sold as the "Isuzu Campo." In the United Kingdom "Vauxhall Brava" badging was used rather than Opel. These received the same updates as did the Isuzu TF in general markets, and a variety of body styles were available, usually coupled with diesel engines.
North America
In North America, the ''TF'' series appeared in 1988 as simply the "Isuzu Pickup". Produced at Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette ( , ) is a city in and the county seat of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States, located northwest of Indianapolis and southeast of Chicago. West Lafayette, on the other side of the Wabash River, is home to Purdue University, whi ...
, Isuzu continued on with the TF until 1996 when it was finally replaced with the Hombre (a badged-engineered Chevrolet S-10). The only engines available were the 2.3-liter 4ZD1, the 2.6-liter 4ZE1 and the GM 3.1-liter V-6 (designation LG6) producing and for the 1991–1994 model years.[ General Motors 60° V6 engine#Generation I] The 2.3-liter version holds the distinction of becoming the last carbureted
A carburetor (also spelled carburettor) is a device used by an internal combustion engine to control and mix air and fuel entering the engine. The primary method of adding fuel to the intake air is through the venturi tube in the main meteri ...
passenger vehicle sold new in the United States (1994 model year). There was also a heavier, work oriented one-tonne model available. The truck continued to be sold in Mexico, and Latin America until production ended in 2016.
South America
As with the previous ''KB'' series generation, South American markets again received the ''TF'' models under the "Chevrolet LUV
The Chevrolet LUV and the later Chevrolet LUV D-Max are light pickup trucks designed and manufactured by Isuzu and marketed in the Americas since 1972 by Chevrolet over four generations as rebadged variants of the Isuzu Faster and D-Max.
''L ...
" name. The Chilean assembling works began in 1982, meanwhile in Colombia commenced in 1989,[''La Historia Paso A Paso 1989 Se Lanza el pick-up Chevrolet Luv 2.3'' / The History Step by Step. 1989 - The Chevrolet Luv 2.3 pick-up is launched](_blank)
(in Spanish) / Accessed on 04/25/2018 In the assembling process, the local parts usage percentage was high and important for the LUV manufacturing process. In Chile it has to reach 40 percent domestic parts content, meanwhile in Colombia exceeded 70%.[''Los Carros Más Queridos De Colombia - Historia de la Camioneta Chevrolet Luv en Colombia - Revista 1995'' / The Most Loved Cars in Colombia - History of the Chevrolet Luv Pickup Truck in Colombia - Magazine 1995 - (in Spanish)/ Accessed on 04/25/2018]
A successful export program beginning in Chile in 1980s to the Andean Community countries: Bolivia, Ecuador
Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ' ...
and Venezuela
Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...
; and in 1993 began the exports from Chilean assembled units (in the SpaceCab model only) to Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, and Venezuela. In total, more than 220,000 units were produced only in Chile, and more than 300.000 in Colombia. From 1999 and to little success, Thai Rung Union Car
Thai Rung Union Car ( th, ไทยรุ่ง) is the only Thai-based automobile manufacturer. The company, established in 1967, began assembling Isuzu, Toyota, Nissan, and Chevrolet vehicles. In addition to assembly, It manufactures its own ...
supplied the Chevrolet plant in Arica
Arica ( ; ) is a commune and a port city with a population of 222,619 in the Arica Province of northern Chile's Arica y Parinacota Region. It is Chile's northernmost city, being located only south of the border with Peru. The city is the capita ...
, Chile with the unique body panels from their "Isuzu Grand Adventure" model to make the '' Chevrolet Grand Adventure'' and the "Chevrolet Grand LUV". The Grand Adventure was a wagon version of the ''TF'' series pickup.
By the late 1980s, supplementary assembly began in Quito, Ecuador by Omnibus BB Transportes (now General Motors Ecuador) with a 1.6-liter inline-four cylinder engine, making .
In October 2005; was ceased the Isuzu Faster Chilean manufacture. In Colombia, the Isuzu Faster has ceased its production in 2010. The last Faster rolled off the assembly line on May 8, 2010. In both countries, the Isuzu Faster was replaced by the Isuzu D-Max
The Isuzu D-Max is a pickup truck manufactured since 2002 by Isuzu Motors. A successor of the Isuzu Faster/KB, the first and second-generation model shares its platform with the Chevrolet Colorado. The third-generation model shares its plat ...
, these firsts units were assembled only in Ecuador and later from vehicles coming from Thailand (2014 onwards).
References
Bibliography
*
*
*
External links
LUVTruck.com — Chevrolet LUV information and history
{{Isuzu United States
Faster
Vehicles introduced in 1972