What was the last year for the Chevy LUV truck?
The Chevy LUV’s final model year was 1982. The compact pickup, built on an Isuzu Faster chassis under a GM badge, exited U.S. showrooms as Chevrolet shifted to a newer small-pickup platform for the 1983 model year.
Timeline and key facts
The following timeline highlights the LUV’s entry into the market and its eventual retirement.
- 1972 model year: Chevrolet introduces the LUV in the United States, rebadging the Isuzu Faster for the American market.
- 1982 model year: The LUV is sold for the final time in the U.S.; GM begins transitioning customers to the Chevrolet S-10 for upcoming model years.
With the LUV's retirement, Chevrolet pivoted to a more modern small pickup, the S-10, which would define the brand’s compact-truck lineup in the 1980s and beyond.
Replacement and market context
Context and legacy
GM’s strategy in the early 1980s included consolidating its small-pickup offerings under the new S-10 platform for the North American market. The Isuzu-based LUV continued in some international markets for a short period, but the U.S. version was discontinued after the 1982 model year. The shift reflected broader industry moves toward newer platforms, updated safety and efficiency standards, and a branding approach that separated badge engineering from core engineering when possible.
Summary
In short, the Chevy LUV’s last year in the United States was 1982, ending a 10-year run that began with the 1972 introduction and giving way to the Chevrolet S-10 for the 1983 model year and beyond. The model remains a notable example of GM’s early cooperative ventures with Isuzu and a piece of the era’s compact-truck history.
