Who made the Isuzu Rodeo?
The Isuzu Rodeo was built by Isuzu Motors Limited, the Japanese automaker. In North America, production involvement came through a General Motors–Isuzu partnership that led to U.S. assembly at a Lafayette, Indiana plant during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Isuzu introduced the Rodeo in 1990 as a compact SUV. Across two generations, its production footprint shifted from Japan to the United States as the GM–Isuzu alliance expanded. Early models were largely built in Japan for export to North America, while the second generation saw U.S. assembly as part of a joint venture, reflecting a broader collaboration that also touched other Isuzu-GM models.
Origins and Generations
First Generation (1990–1997)
The Rodeo's debut generation established Isuzu's presence in the North American SUV market. It was developed and produced by Isuzu in Japan, with U.S.-bound units initially imported for sale in the United States. This generation cemented the Rodeo's positioning as a rugged, budget-friendly compact SUV in a growing segment.
Second Generation (1998–2004)
Production shifted more toward North America in the second generation. A General Motors–Isuzu joint venture produced Rodeo models in the United States, notably at the Isuzu plant in Lafayette, Indiana (Isuzu Motors Manufacturing, America). This change aligned the Rodeo with GM platforms and supported broader distribution in North America and other markets.
Although the U.S. assembly became more prominent, some components and certain markets continued to source models from Isuzu’s overseas facilities. The second generation kept the Rodeo compact-SUV silhouette while adopting updated styling and features to compete with newer entrants in the segment.
GM–Isuzu Collaboration and Manufacturing Footprint
This section analyzes how the partnership between General Motors and Isuzu shaped where and how the Rodeo was built, and how it influenced related models in both brands’ lineups.
Before listing key facts, note that the collaboration with GM extended beyond assembly into shared platforms and components that influenced multiple SUV models in the Isuzu and GM portfolios during that era.
- Isuzu and GM formed a manufacturing and marketing partnership that included joint production of SUVs for the North American market, with the Lafayette, Indiana facility serving as a primary site for Rodeo assembly during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
- The collaboration also influenced other GM–Isuzu SUV models, including badge-engineered or jointly developed variants that leveraged shared GM platforms and Isuzu engineering expertise.
The partnership helped Isuzu extend its reach in the North American SUV market and gave GM access to Isuzu’s engineering capabilities, a relationship that defined several models during that period.
Why the Rodeo mattered in Isuzu's lineup
As one of Isuzu's notable export models, the Rodeo showcased the brand’s capability to produce rugged, affordable SUVs capable of performing in diverse conditions. The two-generation run illustrated how international production arrangements—especially the GM–Isuzu alliance—shaped the model’s availability in North America and beyond, helping Isuzu compete in a crowded market.
Summary
The Isuzu Rodeo was made by Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan, with North American production tied to a GM–Isuzu joint venture that included U.S. assembly at the Lafayette, Indiana plant during the second generation. Debuting in 1990, the Rodeo ran through two generations (1990–1997 and 1998–2004) and remains a notable case of Isuzu’s SUV strategy and cross-border manufacturing partnerships with General Motors.
Is Isuzu owned by Toyota?
No, Isuzu is not owned by Toyota; both are publicly traded companies with a strategic partnership and minority stake. Toyota owns a stake in Isuzu, but Isuzu is not a subsidiary of Toyota.
- Ownership: Isuzu is an independent, publicly traded company, and no single entity owns a majority of its shares.
- Toyota's stake: Toyota holds a minority stake in Isuzu, which was part of a strategic partnership formed in 2021.
- Other major shareholders: The largest shareholders in Isuzu include Mitsubishi and Itochu.
- Partnership: While Isuzu is not owned by Toyota, the two companies have a partnership focused on areas like connected vehicles and joint development projects.
Is the Isuzu Rodeo a Honda?
The Honda Passport is a line of sport utility vehicles (SUV) from the Japanese automaker Honda. Originally, it was a rebadged version of the Isuzu Rodeo, a mid-size SUV sold between 1993 and 2002.
Who makes engines for Isuzu?
Isuzu engines are made by Isuzu Motors Limited, a Japanese company that has been a leading global diesel engine manufacturer since 1916. While Isuzu manufactures engines in Japan at plants like Tochigi and Hokkaido, it also has engine production and distribution facilities worldwide, including in Thailand and the United States, and collaborates with other companies like Cummins on new engine technologies.
- Parent company: The company that makes Isuzu engines is Isuzu Motors Limited, a Japanese automobile manufacturer.
- Global manufacturing: Isuzu manufactures its engines at various locations around the world, including dedicated plants in Japan, Thailand, and other countries.
- U.S. distribution: Isuzu Motors America, LLC, serves as the exclusive distributor for Isuzu Diesel engines in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America through a network of dealers and distributors.
- Collaborations: Isuzu partners with other companies on engine development. For example, it has a global collaboration with Cummins Inc. to develop new engine technologies.
- Historical production: In the past, Isuzu has also licensed its engine designs for local production by other manufacturers, such as General Motors, which manufactured Isuzu engines under license in the United States.
Are Chevy and Isuzu the same?
No, Chevrolet (a brand of General Motors) does not own Isuzu, though the two companies have had a long and complex partnership. GM previously held a significant stake in Isuzu but sold its shares, and their major joint-venture projects have either ended or been fully acquired by GM. Today, Isuzu is an independent company, though it continues to have collaborative relationships with GM, such as GM rebadging certain Isuzu commercial trucks.
History of the relationship
- Past ownership: General Motors (GM) acquired a 34.2% stake in Isuzu in 1971, which grew to a peak of nearly 49%.
- Share buyback: Over time, GM sold off its stake in Isuzu, with the last shares being sold in 2006.
- End of joint ventures: The companies have ended some major collaborative efforts, such as their partnership to co-develop midsize trucks.
- Ongoing collaboration: Despite ending some projects, GM and Isuzu continue to work together. A current example is the manufacturing of certain commercial trucks, where GM rebadges Isuzu-built trucks under the Chevrolet brand.
- Isuzu Motors Ltd. ownership: Today, Isuzu Motors Ltd. is primarily owned by Japanese banks and other Japanese corporations.
