OT:Isuzu Ascender=Trailblazer?????

[1985K10]

The new Isuzu Ascender looks a lot like the Chevy Trailblazer, and also has a 275HP I6.
Is it just me, or is Isuzu so lame they have to copy the Trailblazer?

[1FaastC10]

ever notice that the Isuzu Hombre looks just like an S10? how about the fact that the Duramax is an Isuzu design? maybe those will give you a coupe clues...

[Prerunner1982]

all the big 3 do this, ford and mazda..... dodge and mitzu... and chevy and isuzu. they all interchange engines and build vehicles for eachother... nothing is really domestic anymore...

[1985K10]

Thats what I thought........

[8t5Silverado]

They are the same vehicles.

Don't forget that Honda V6's are now in the Saturn Vue. Geo Prizms were always the same car as Toyota Corollas (built in the same plant in CA).

GM bought into Fuji Heavy Industries (Isuzu, Suzuki, and most importantly, Subaru). A big part of this decision to do this was to be able to use Subaru's sophisticated AWD system in GM vehicles. Chevy even had a concpet vehicle a few years ago (Burrazo?) that was a Subaru Outback with a Chevy skin.

Saab is GM also, and there is soon to be a Saab SUV which is really a rebadged Trailblazer.

GM has also stole the Subaru WRX, put a new front clip on it, and are selling it as the "new" Saab, which has Subaru and Saab enthusiasts quite upset.

There were even rumors that the WRX might be rebadged as a Pontiac as well, but I don't think it is going to happen.

[Slonaker]

My understanding is that we raised the tax rate on foreign trucks so high that they could no longer sell a foreign built pickup at a reasonable price. As a result, the Japanese companies are rebadging American trucks and selling them under their name. The Japanese trucks that are not rebadged are built here in the US to avoid the high taxes.

Slonaker

[Destructo]

Saturn and Geo are owned by GM, so a saturn or Geo would not have a Honda engine in it.... Far as I know Honda is owned by no-one along with toyota, but they are part of Acura and Lexus.

[BaggedC10]

GM owns Fiat, Hummer, Holden, Isuzu, Opel, Saab, Saturn, Suzuki, Vaxhaul(sp?), and part of Subaru.

[Grim Reaper]

Originally posted by 8t5Silverado
They are the same vehicles.

Don't forget that Honda V6's are now in the Saturn Vue. Geo Prizms were always the same car as Toyota Corollas (built in the same plant in CA).

GM bought into Fuji Heavy Industries (Isuzu, Suzuki, and most importantly, Subaru). A big part of this decision to do this was to be able to use Subaru's sophisticated AWD system in GM vehicles. Chevy even had a concpet vehicle a few years ago (Burrazo?) that was a Subaru Outback with a Chevy skin.

Saab is GM also, and there is soon to be a Saab SUV which is really a rebadged Trailblazer.

GM has also stole the Subaru WRX, put a new front clip on it, and are selling it as the "new" Saab, which has Subaru and Saab enthusiasts quite upset.

There were even rumors that the WRX might be rebadged as a Pontiac as well, but I don't think it is going to happen.

You forgot about Toyota as well. Some of the GEO's were Toyota.

The Pontiac vibe is a Toyota Matrix.

THe Chevy Luv was a Izusu Pup.

It's nothing new. Isuzu is a good manufacture. I have owned a trooper and it was a good vehicle and their Warranty service was awsome! I blew a down shift on a off ramp and managed to go form 5th to 2nd and scattered a 5 speed. They air fraighted a tranny and had the truck back to me in 4 day's

Now I want a REAL Holden Manaro. They *****ed it all up when Pontiac hung the plastic on it and badged it the GTO.

[Grim Reaper]

Originally posted by BaggedC10
GM owns Fiat, Hummer, Holden, Isuzu, Opel, Saab, Saturn, Suzuki, Vaxhaul(sp?), and part of Subaru.

I thought Vaxhaul was something to do with Honda? I have watched some touring car stuff in Europe and thought the Vaxhauls were Honda Accords.

[biscaynesix]

Remeber the Chevy Luv truck? Built by Isuzu! The Buick Opels of the mid/late 70's? Built by Isuzu and then later were actually sold under the Isuzu nameplate and called I-marks. The first Isuzu Impulse and the 4-door I-mark were both built on the Chevette platform...Recently GM reduced there 49%holding of Isuzu SUV division down to 7% but the commercial truck interest that GM owns of Isuzu increased dramatically.

Dont forget about the Honda Passport, that was an Isuzu Rodeo and the Acura SLX was an Isuzu Trooper. The Isuzu Oasis is a Honda Oddessey. The Geo Storm was an Isuzu Impluse, the Geo Metro was built by Suzuki, as was the Geo Tracker. All the original Hyundais had Mitsubishi eingines in them. The Ford Probe was built on the same Flatrock MI assembly line as the Mazda 626/MX-6. The Ford Escort GT and Mercury Tracer LTZ both had a Mazda 1.8 DOHC engine. THe Mercury Villager and Nissan Quest was a joint venture. Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix, same. The Mazda B-series trucks since 1993 are all Ford Rangers, and the current Mazda MPV has a Ford drivetrain. Many new Fords coming out are based on the new Mazda 6 platform. Look at the V emblem on a new Mitsubishi Eclipse and a new Chrysler Sebring.

[RockHQ]

Add Daewoo to the list.

[KShortell]

Originally posted by 1985K10
The new Isuzu Ascender looks a lot like the Chevy Trailblazer, and also has a 275HP I6.

It is technically the same vehicle-- only the Isuzu has a longer warranty!

[biscaynesix]

longer warranty with Isuzu but far fewer dealers

[8t5Silverado]

Originally posted by Destructo
Saturn and Geo are owned by GM, so a saturn or Geo would not have a Honda engine in it.... Far as I know Honda is owned by no-one along with toyota, but they are part of Acura and Lexus.

Destructo,

I wasn't implying that Honda was part of GM, simply that GM has given up and is simply purchasing Honda V6's (built in Ohio) to put in the Saturn VUE. Thank god they are using Honda's transmission as well (the one thing that really scared me about getting a VUE).

"More information continues to surface regarding the Honda engine slated for the 2004 Saturn VUE sport utility. The Detroit Free Press reports today that General Motors has reduced the total number of 3.5L DOHC V-6 engines it plans to purchase from Honda. A 5-year technology and component-sharing contract signed between GM and Honda in December 1999.

GM now plans to buy 50,000 Honda V6 engines and transmissions annually in the next five years. As many as 90,000 engines were initially planned to be part of the agreement, said Saturn spokeswoman Sherrie Childers-Arb. The engines will meet California's "ultra-low emission" standards.

"At the time of the agreement we indicated that 90,000 was a maximum number," Childers-Arb said. "We've firmed up our product plans since this was arranged in 1999."

The VUE will be the only Saturn – and only GM vehicle – to use the Honda V6. Honda will also supply 5-speed automatic transmissions to Saturn. The Honda V6 will replace the 3.0L DOHC Opel-derived V6 engine currently used in the VUE. The GM 2.2L DOHC I-4 will continue to power base VUEs.

Honda manufactures the 3.5L V6 at its Anna, OH, manufacturing facility. That particular plant also supplies V6 engines for Honda and Acura cars and trucks. Last month Honda said it would expand the factory's annual capacity to 1.16 million engines from 1.04 million by next year to meet growing U.S. demand for its cars and light trucks. Its not known at this time whether or not the 3.5L V6's power and torque ratings will differ for Saturn. However, Jill Lajdziak, Saturn vice president-sales, service, and marketing, says that the V6 will be "specifically engineered" for Saturn.

The VUE is also expected to get minor interior and exterior updates for the 2004 model year. The 2004 VUE will go on sale next summer."

[apstguy]

All car manufacturers cross between eachother. So much so that even bitter enemys are going together. Take Ford and GMs current JOINT VENTURE on creating a six-speed detroit automatic that they will soon both put in the majority of automobiles they make. How much more cross-breeding can you get?!?!?