Isuzu Will Aggressively Price New Pickups

[BMWDave]

Isuzu Announces Aggressive Pricing Strategy on New Pickups
Date Posted 06-30-2005


CERRITOS, Calif. ? Isuzu Motors America, one of the few Japanese automakers that finds itself in a precarious position in the U.S. market, announced an aggressive pricing strategy for its new 2006 pickup trucks.

The company's entry-level i-280 extended cab 4x2 will start at $17,649, including shipping. By comparison, its sibling, the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado extended cab 4x2, starts at $20,530, including shipping.

The Isuzu i-280 extended cab is equipped with a 2.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine, a choice of a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission and three option packages. Isuzu offers a $699 preferred-equipment package with rear jump seats, carpeted floor, cloth seats and AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player and a $1,569 luxury package that includes limited-slip rear differential, traction control, side curtain airbags and foglamps.

The top-of-the-line i-350 crew cab 4x4 model starts at $28,018, including shipping, and is powered by a 3.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine with a four-speed automatic transmission. Optional on the i-350 is a $1,839 limited package that includes leather interior trim, six-disc CD changer and a sliding rear window.

What this means to you: Isuzu wants to maintain its toehold in the U.S. market and the value pricing on its new 2006 pickups is evidence it means business.

[TBR]

Looks like the I-series is the truck to buy out of the GM's midsize triplets. Of course, I personally wouldn't buy any of them.

[ifcar]

I certainly would consider a thousands-less Colorado if I were looking for a small/midsize pickup. The Colorado/Canyon is already attractively priced, and this model is even better. It's not a bad truck, either.