• Since building our first truck in 1918, Isuzu has sold over 26 million trucks in 64 countries.
• Isuzu introduced the first air-cooled diesel engine in 1936.
• We built the first two-ton low cab forward truck in 1959.
• Isuzu was the first to build a direct-injection diesel engine in the 1960s.
• In 1985, Isuzu manufactured our first N-Series truck.
• Our first gas engine NPR debuted in 1992.
• The first American-made Isuzu F-Series Isuzu truck rolled off the Janesville, Wisconsin assembly line in 1996.
• Isuzu commercial trucks have dominated the Class 3-5 low cab forward medium-duty truck market.
• Isuzu has been the best-selling cab-over brand in the U.S. since 1986.
• Of the over 340,000 Isuzu-built diesel trucks sold in the US since 1984, more than 86 percent are still registered and in service, as are 98.6 percent of gasoline trucks sold since 1993.

These are all important points you need to know – we’re here and we’re not going anywhere.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been busy initiating new requirements that will help "clean up" emissions in the future.

As you’re aware, our 2007 model year diesel trucks already comply with the new 2007 EPA standards – but more are on the way in 2010 – and we thought you should be up-to-speed on what’s right around the corner.

A quick history lesson: On December 21, 2000, the EPA signed emission standards that went into affect for model year 2007 and later heavy-duty highway engines (the California Air Resources Board adopted virtually identical 2007 heavy-duty engine standards in October 2001).

Those rules include:

1. Emission standards
2. Diesel fuel regulations – moving towards a low-sulfur diesel fuel

Here are the emission standards:

• PM—0.01 g/bhp-hr
• NOx—0.20 g/bhp-hr
• NMHC—0.14 g/bhp-hr

The PM emission standard is already in effect for 2007 heavy-duty engine model year. The NOx and NMHC standards are being phased in for diesel engines between 2007 and 2010, with the phase-in being on a percent-of-sales basis:

Diesel engines:

• 50% from 2007 to 2009
• 100% in 2010

Gasoline engines:

• 50% compliance in 2008
• 100% compliance in 2009

According to industry statements, it is expected that very few engines meeting the 0.20 g/bhp-hr NOx requirement will actually appear before 2010. Needless to say, Isuzu’s engineers are busy creating the next generation of gasoline and diesel engines to ensure they comply with the new standards when they go into affect in two years.

Source:
http://www.dieselnet.com/standards/us/hd.html

Fleet Managers SEE 30% to 60% increases in fuel economy while participating in Isuzu Truck’s Fuel Economy Challenge!

You know that a "lead foot" can kill fuel economy – yes, that’s a true statement… but most people don’t know how true it is, including a lot of Fleet Managers. Well, that all changed after they attended the Isuzu Fuel Economy Challenge.

Isuzu staged the Fuel Economy Challenge, inviting 36 Fleet Managers from all around the nation to see how a change in driving habits can translate into big savings in operating costs. Needless to say, most were "blown away" when their mileage shot up 33.6 to as high as 60% This was a diverse audience, representing fleets from truck leasing, landscaping, electrical contracting, plumbing, healthcare and food distribution.

The event took place on the runways that used to be El Toro Marine Base in Irvine, California – and while the program has been presented all around the world, this was the first time it was held in the U.S.

So What Did They Learn?

The seminar covered these topics:

• Vehicle running resistance
• Fuel-efficient driving techniques
• Exhaust brake usage
• Minimizing idle time
• Route scheduling
• Vehicle maintenance

To start the day, the participants got to drive a 2008 Isuzu truck on a special course, with their fuel economy being measured. For this first event, they were told to drive the way they always do – in other words, normal.

Next, the managers attended a training session that introduced them to the various fuel-saving topics and techniques.

Afterwards, they drove the same course again – this time, utilizing the techniques they just learned to reduce their fuel usage. The results were dramatic.

A manager at a company responsible for Medium Duty Truck Acquisitions previously attended an Isuzu Fuel Economy Challenge held in Japan. "I’m impressed that Isuzu has developed a program that provides fleets with benefits that aren’t necessarily related to sales," he reported. "We are committed to reducing our environmental impact, and it’s encouraging to see our manufacturing partners sharing that commitment. We invited some of our customers to attend this event because we knew they would learn some valuable fuel conservation techniques. With today’s high fuel prices, fleets are looking for opportunities to reduce costs. Our approach will be to help our customers train and motivate their drivers to conserve fuel with proper driving techniques."

Other attendees also plan to start fuel economy programs based around training and incentives to motivate drivers. A director of Fleet Operations for a landscaping company manages a fleet of 4,000 gas-powered vehicles operating in 21 states. "I personally improved my mileage by 35% at the Fuel Economy Challenge. We’re evaluating how we can implement Isuzu’s techniques on a system-wide basis. The savings could be very substantial."

A Vice President from a Phoenix based company improved his mileage 40%. He plans to develop a rewards program with raffle prizes as incentives to motivate good driving habits. As the largest commercial landscaping maintenance contractor in Arizona, they operate 160 vehicles and have an annual fuel bill exceeding $800,000. "We’re anticipating saving 10-20 percent at a minimum. In addition, the same driving habits that save fuel also will help us extend our safe driving record which is currently over 2 million miles without an accident."

A plumbing services licensor that markets to independent local plumbers throughout North America, and provides marketing and advertising tools to support their businesses said, "Education is the key to what we do.” “We plan to recommend that our contractors buy Isuzu trucks for their durability and then implement the fuel conservation techniques to minimize operating expenses."

You read the headlines and you feel it at the pump: diesel fuel prices are at an all-time high (you’d think you were buying liquid gold when you see the cost of a fill-up spin past $100 – and the national average cost of diesel is well over $4/gallon! Accordingly, more and more people are looking for ways to conserve diesel fuel. One way is to utilize a refrigeration unit that runs off electricity, not off the diesel engine.

http://www.grsinc.net/global-cooling.pdf

Doesn’t exist, you say? It does now! And we’re already working with Oasis Globel Refrigeration Systems to supply this technology to you. Check out these facts:

• This all-electric refrigeration system is ideal for fresh or frozen applications for 14’-24’ straight delivery trucks
• The refrigeration system gets its power from a generator that is belt driven off the crankshaft pulley or PTO – in other words, virtually FREE power
• An optional battery back-up system allows the refrigeration system to keep running when the truck’s engine is not operating. Then as soon as the engine is turned on, the on-board generator automatically recharges the battery pack
• The refrigeration system was designed after a commercial refrigeration system utilizing all AC components – the system uses a Copeland Scroll compressor and is completely sealed and has very few parts
• According to Oasis Globel Refrigeration Systems, the system requires no scheduled maintenance and the generator requires a belt change once a year.
• Commercial refrigeration companies can service and provide parts for this unit
• It is GREEN technology!

Let’s take a closer look – this all-electric refrigeration unit is manufactured by Global Refrigeration Systems, Atlanta, Georgia. The heart of the system is their AuraGen generator, which is driven by the truck’s engine to provide the electricity to operate the Oasis refrigeration unit.

Sample Comparison Diesel vs. Electric Refrigeration Unit

Traditional Stand Alone Reefer Unit driven by a small Diesel Engine*

• 8 hours operation per day = 2,080 hrs/year
• Fuel Consumption: 0.65 gal/hr @ cost of: $4.12 per gal
• Yearly Reefer Fuel Cost: $5,570.00
• Maintenance Cost: $0.75 per hr
• Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,560.00
• Total Reefer Fuel & Maintenance Cost: $7,130.00/year

Now compare that with this system:

Oasis All-Electric Refrigeration Unit*

• 8 hours operation per day = 2,080 hrs/year
• Fuel Consumption: 0.15 gal/hr @ cost of: $4.12 per gal
• Yearly Reefer Fuel Cost: $1,285.00
• Maintenance Cost: $0.15 per hr
• Yearly Maintenance Cost: $312.00
• Total Reefer Fuel & Maintenance Cost: $1,597.00/year

That’s a potential yearly savings of $5,533.00.

* Calculations based on 35,000 miles/year, continuous run time.

That’s just the savings for one truck! Imagine the impact if you have a fleet – that’s a serious savings. In addition, this system is environmentally friendly because no emissions from a separate diesel engine are released into the atmosphere. And by using the optional battery- pack, this system provides additional cost savings and reduced emissions by not requiring the truck engine to idle while unloading deliveries.

Here are the specs on this system:

• Refrigeration unit weighs 465 pounds
• It produces an airflow of 1,700 cu. ft./min.
• The AuraGen generator produces 5 KW – 8.5 KW of power and weighs 112 pounds
• In-cab controls permit temperature selection and monitoring of the system.

This is a revolutionary breakthrough enabling the refrigerated transportation industry to switch from traditional diesel to an all-electric refrigeration system. Fleets can reduce their costs dramatically and help our environment at the same time.

The Hexacube's generous interior space provides more room for three-across seating. The breathable Tricot seat material stays cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter for additional comfort. The panoramic windshield and side windows mean added visibility and safety.