Who makes engine for Isuzu?
Most Isuzu engines are built in-house by Isuzu’s own powertrain division; in the past, General Motors provided engines under a long-standing collaboration, but today Isuzu primarily engineers and manufactures its own powerplants for its trucks, buses, and commercial vehicles.
The following explains who makes Isuzu engines, how the company organizes its engine programs, and how historical partnerships have influenced Isuzu’s powertrain strategy. It also highlights what this means for Isuzu vehicles and owners today.
Current engine design and production
What follows is a snapshot of how Isuzu sources and builds its engines for the current lineup.
- In-house engine development and manufacturing: Isuzu Motors Limited designs, develops, and builds most of its diesel and gasoline engines for the full range of Isuzu vehicles, including commercial trucks, buses, and SUVs.
- Global manufacturing footprint: Isuzu maintains production facilities in multiple regions to support local markets, ensuring engines are tailored to regional emissions and regulatory requirements while aiming for supply stability.
- Engine programs oriented to commercial vehicles: A substantial portion of Isuzu’s engine activity focuses on durable, fuel-efficient diesels and related technologies used in its commercial and heavy-duty products.
In summary, today Isuzu relies primarily on its own engineering and manufacturing network to produce its engines, with a focus on meeting the needs of its global commercial-vehicle customers.
Historical partnerships with General Motors
Isuzu’s engine and powertrain programs were once shaped by a deep collaboration with General Motors, spanning multiple decades. The partnership involved sharing development work, components, and manufacturing capabilities across both brands.
- Joint development and shared powertrains: The General Motors-Isuzu collaboration produced engines and other powertrain components that were used by both companies in various markets and models.
- Cross-brand production: Some engines and transmissions were built within the joint framework to support both Isuzu and GM vehicle offerings.
- Restructuring and reduced involvement: Over time, GM’s role in Isuzu’s powertrain programs diminished as Isuzu expanded its in-house development and manufacturing capabilities.
- Current status: While the joint-venture era influenced Isuzu’s early powertrain evolution, Isuzu today primarily operates its own engine programs, with GM involvement largely scaled back.
The historical partnership helped shape Isuzu’s early engine technology, but the company’s current practice emphasizes independent development and production to serve its global lineup.
What this means for Isuzu customers
For customers, the most visible effect is consistency in Isuzu’s engine performance and durability, backed by a manufacturing network dedicated to Isuzu specifications and service standards. Continued in-house development supports quicker adaptation to regional emissions requirements and aftersales support tailored to Isuzu vehicles.
Summary
Isuzu predominantly builds its engines in-house, reflecting a strategic emphasis on self-directed powertrain development for its commercial and consumer vehicles. Historically, General Motors collaborated on powertrain engineering and manufacturing with Isuzu, but GM’s involvement has declined as Isuzu strengthened its independent engine programs. Today, Isuzu’s engines are principally produced within its own global manufacturing network, designed to meet the needs of its diverse markets and customers.
Who makes Isuzu engines?
Isuzu Motors Limited
Isuzu diesel engines are made by the Japanese company, Isuzu Motors Limited. Users rate the engines for their extreme longevity with few faults.
Does Isuzu use GM engines?
Isuzu has used both its own engines and General Motors-built engines. It has also developed engines for General Motors, Renault, Saab, Honda, Nissan, Opel and Mazda.
Is Cummins an Isuzu engine?
Isuzu F-Series trucks are powered by the Cummins B6. 7, the most popular engine ever built by Cummins. This 6.7-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder diesel engine puts out 260 horsepower and 660 lb.
Are Isuzu and Mazda the same?
They share the same Isuzu running gear components like; engines, chassis, gearbox, differentials and a few other components. They are both made by Isuzu in their Thailand factory, just different body panels and interior components.
