Truck maker Isuzu Motors Ltd. said it started handling distribution and sales in North America directly through a US subsidiary, drawing to a close a joint venture with General Motors Corp.
Cerritos, California-based Isuzu Commercial Truck of America took over sales from GM-Isuzu Commercial Truck LLC, a joint venture established in 2000, Isuzu said in a statement.
The company described the move as a "strategic" one undertaken to reinforce sales of cab-over truck models in North America.
Isuzu sold 27,400 trucks in North America in 2006 and aims to sell 50,000 units annually, the company said.
Nearly all of Isuzu's vehicles sold in the US are imported from Japan. Tokyo-based Isuzu produces fewer than 5000 trucks a year in the US at a GM plant in Janesville, Wisconsin, in a contract agreement with the US automaker.
Source: AAP 2007
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