Isuzu

In honor of the 30th anniversary of Isuzu trucks in the U.S. market, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America this year is celebrating with a restoration of the very first Isuzu ever sold in this country.

WORK TRUCK SHOW -- Isuzu Commercial Truck of America unveiled its lineup of 2014 and 2015 model year N-Series diesel models. The company also announced that it would extend its 24 Months/60,000 Miles Covered Maintenance Program to all the diesel models sold through June 30, 2014.

Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada Inc. announced that Andy Craig has been hired to fill the newly-created position of director, Canada Operations. Craig will be responsible for managing Isuzu’s day-to-day operations and strengthening Isuzu’s commitment to the Canadian market.

In some ways, the truck of the future is here today. What would a truck driver from decades ago think if he were suddenly transported from his own time into one of today’s state-of-the-art rigs?

The 43rd Tokyo Motor Show, which ran from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1, showcased international manufacturers’ latest technology in trucks, buses, cars, motorbikes and accessories. Get a feel for the show with this photo gallery from HDT International Editor Sven-Erik Lindstrand.

‘May you live in interesting times” is usually taken as a wry Chinese curse. But for cargo vans and the people who run them, an interesting era is here and it should be a blessing. New European-based products are being sent to the marketplace, and they’ll offer new efficiencies and choices in a segment that has languished design-wise since the first of that breed.

Depending on who you are in the medium-duty truck business, things are going great, or well, or not so good but looking up. A few builders have picked up market share in Classes 3, 4 and 5 and in Class 6-7. Others have lost some or a lot, but sales continue to climb for most midrange truck makers.

The N-Series from Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) was named Work Truck Magazine’s 2013 Medium-Duty Truck of the Year at the 2013 NTEA Work Truck Show, held in Indianapolis March 6-8. Twelve vehicles were included in an online ballot and voted on by professional fleet managers.

Midrange in transition