Is the Colorado an Isuzu?
No. The Colorado is a Chevrolet pickup truck, not an Isuzu.
The question asks whether the Colorado carries Isuzu branding or lineage. While GM and Isuzu collaborated on mid‑size pickups in the past, and the Chevrolet Colorado (along with its GMC Canyon twin) benefited from that partnership, today the Colorado is marketed as a Chevrolet vehicle in North America. In other regions, the Isuzu D-Max remains the Isuzu-branded counterpart to these GM mid‑size pickups.
What ties exist between the Colorado and Isuzu?
To understand the connection, it helps to review how the models were developed and marketed across different regions.
Key historical points about the Colorado and its ties to Isuzu:
- The first-generation Chevrolet Colorado (2004–2012) and GMC Canyon shared engineering and platform work with the Isuzu D-Max under a GM–Isuzu collaboration.
- Isuzu sold trucks under its own name globally (e.g., the D-Max), while North America used Chevrolet/GMC branding for these mid‑size pickups.
- The contemporary Colorado and Canyon are GM products built on GM’s mid‑size truck platform, with no active Isuzu badge on these models in North America.
- In markets outside North America, the Isuzu D-Max serves as the Isuzu-branded counterpart with similar capabilities to the Colorado/Canyon lineage.
In summary, the Colorado is not an Isuzu, though it shares historical roots with Isuzu through a period of GM–Isuzu collaboration. The badge and marketing belong to Chevrolet, while the Isuzu D-Max remains the separate Isuzu offering in many markets.
Current status and market context
As of the 2020s and into 2024–2025, Chevrolet’s Colorado is positioned as GM’s midsize pickup in North America, with the GMC Canyon serving as its twin. In markets where Isuzu operates, the D-Max is sold under the Isuzu name, and there has not been a modern Isuzu-branded Colorado. The separation of branding reflects GM’s decision to maintain distinct model lines for each brand.
Isuzu D-Max: the global counterpart
The Isuzu D-Max is the global Isuzu mid-size pickup, widely sold outside North America. It shares some development history with the Colorado due to the GM–Isuzu collaboration but remains a distinct, Isuzu-branded model with its own design and market positioning.
Summary
The Colorado is a Chevrolet model, not an Isuzu. It originated from a period of GM–Isuzu collaboration and shares lineage with the Isuzu D-Max, but today Colorado/Canyon are GM products with Chevrolet/GMC branding in North America, while the Isuzu D-Max continues as the Isuzu option in many other regions.
Is a Holden Colorado the same as Isuzu D-Max?
In Australia and New Zealand, the D-Max was sold as the third-generation Holden Rodeo (RA) between 2003 and 2008, before being facelifted into the form of the Holden Colorado. This was a result of the GM-Isuzu split resulting in GM losing the right to use the "Rodeo" name.
When did Colorado stop using the Isuzu engine?
2012
Of the petrol engines, Holden offers a 2.4 four-cylinder or the Australian-made 3.6-liter Alloytec V6 engine. The diesel powerplant is the four-cylinder Isuzu 4JJ1-TCX unit displacing 3.0 liters. It was replaced by the second-generation Holden Colorado in 2012.
Is the Chevy Colorado made by Isuzu?
The Chevrolet Colorado and its twin, the GMC Canyon, were jointly designed by GM's North American operations, GM's Brazil operations, and Isuzu, which began selling its own version worldwide in 2002.
Are Chevy and Isuzu the same?
No, Chevy (General Motors) does not own Isuzu. While the two companies had a long history of collaboration and GM once held a large stake in Isuzu, GM sold its shares in 2006, and the companies have since ended most joint ventures.
- Past ownership: General Motors was a major shareholder in Isuzu for many years, even acquiring a controlling interest at one point.
- Divestment: In 2006, GM sold its stake in Isuzu to companies like Mitsubishi Corporation, Itochu, and Mizuho Corporate Bank, though it initially said the companies would continue to work together.
- End of most partnerships: Most joint projects, such as the development of mid-size pickup trucks, have been officially dissolved by both companies.
- Current status: Isuzu is now an independent company with ownership spread among several major shareholders, including Japanese banks, Mitsubishi Corporation, and others.
