General Motors South Africa GM South Woodmead Private Bag X3 Africa Sunninghill 2157 www.gmsa.com For Release: 31 August 2012

50 Bells: A Ruby Anniversary

The near-century old history of reveals its founding fathers as being pioneers in the Japanese motor industry. Forty years ago South African began local production of Isuzu-based light commercial vehicles, an activity that has since grown from strength to strength in establishing the brand as one of the country’s major players.

Chapter 4 of a five-part history of GMSA’s 40-year association with Isuzu LCVs – Enter the double-cabs – KBs dominate

A Trooper fared well in a 1993 five-vehicle CAR group test of luxury 4x4s into the Richtersveld but the surprise package was the launch of a Turbo Blazer version of the 4wd KB26, the first time a South African manufacturer had introduced a turbocharged petrol-engined bakkie. The engine produced 100 kW at 4 600 r/min and 268 N.m of torque at 2 300 and was developed locally in Port Elizabeth at GM South Africa’s Engineering Centre. It was joined in the line-up by a new 2,8-litre turbodiesel developing 64 kW at 3 600 r/min and 210 N.m at 2 200. Just as significantly, the first KB double-cabs were introduced into the range – a KB260 LE 4x4 and a KB280DT. The advent of the “double cab” in South Africa at the time was an industry first and was the result of much negotiation and discussion with Isuzu in Japan as historically, the “crew cab” as it is known elsewhere was a pure working vehicle that had the capability to transport more than 2 occupants. Many hours were spent convincing the Isuzu product planners to add features such as radio’s, air conditioners, power windows etc. to meet the needs of this emerging leisure/workhorse dual purpose South African need that has today become an integral part of the local automotive world.

Another Isuzu technological highlight appeared late in 1993 when the company revealed its ceramic adiabatic (i.e. impassable to heat) diesel, a turbocharged 3,0-litre V6 developing 135 kW at 4 500 r/min plus 15 kW from each of two turbine-driven electric generators. Intended for installation in the Trooper, the advanced use of ceramics precluded the engine requiring a conventional cooling system – and it was believed that ultimate development of the engine design would possibly eliminate a lubrication system as well... Less dramatically, 2,0-litre petrol engines join the local KB range – to become the only bakkie on the market with an engine this size – and in a test of a KB200 Fleetside it was suggested that in terms of power and performance the 2,0-litre “comes out smelling of roses”.

1 A Trooper won the Marathon Class in the 1994 Paris-Dakar Rally, and later in the year finished first in the Pharaoh Rally. Isuzu achieved the cumulative diesel engine production total of 10 million units and announced a new vehicle exchange programme with Honda. In the first local test of an Isuzu double-cab, the 1995 KB260 LE DC 4x4 was rated as “a practical and capable off-road leisure vehicle for the family man” and, despite its basic design being six years old, “it’s not just a pretty face, because it shapes up well in the rough”. A long-awaited 4wd version of the KB280DT DC appeared in the same year with a clear fuel economy advantage over equivalent petrol-engined models. Facelifted KBs were introduced in mid 1996 including two new diesel models – a KB250D DC and 4x4 pick-up – taking the line-up to eight petrol and 11 diesel derivatives with prices ranging from R64 035 to R149 875. The KB250D DC was described as “making a lot of sense for those requiring a compromise between a rugged pick-up and the space and comfort of a passenger car ... and thanks to the diesel motor has good fuel economy”. By this time a number of competitive double cabs had entered the market and in order to create some excitement prior to the introduction the following year of the 4th generation a Limited edition KB260 and KB280D double-cabs tagged Frontier and Reef were introduced with added features. The GM South Africa team researched customers’ needs and identified that off roading was gaining popularity and conceived the unique “Frontier” available only in desert beige, fitted with a bespoke off road front bumper, winch and durable interior trim only a limited number were built which sold out in months. At the same time, the “Reef” model, aimed fairly and squarely at the surfer / beach goer market was developed featuring a standard canopy and custom side decals along with alloy wheels and larger tyres. Delta was the leading exporter of commercial vehicles during the first half of 1996, the total of 895 units included 719 . Multiple South African saloon car champion Hennie van der Linde ran a tuning business and developed a performance conversion for the KB260 that for around R4 000 “gave the performance of a 3,0-litre V6 but with the fuel consumption of a smaller four”. 1997 was a significant year for a number of reasons. Firstly, the Isuzu VehiCROSS – a 1993 Tokyo Motor Show concept car – was put into production overseas following overwhelming positive reaction. The dramatically-styled sport-utility was described as a “space-age 4x4” and showcased a number of radical SUV features. (A concept convertible version appeared in the 2000 movie Mission to Mars.) An example was brought to South Africa for display at the 1997 Johannesburg International Motor Show. In South Africa, the KB series went on to be the country’s best-selling one-ton pick-up for 2 years in a row its success was coincident with the launch of the fourth-generation model, which boasted a host of detail improvement to enhance the KB’s growing popularity. On the business front, GM took up an option to take a 49 per cent share of The Delta Motor Corporation. Late in the year, in a CAR test of the KB200 DC it was stated “the KB does not dominate the double-cab market without good reason and the latest model makes it plain why. To the established comfort, space, reliability and

2 durability, the latest generation adds good looks, a less commercial-looking interior and an air of refinement”. General Motors and Isuzu formed DMAX in 1998, a joint venture to produce diesel engines. Locally, the five-door KB-based Frontier is launched, an initiative to further expand the ever growing Isuzu “leisure” positioning. The Frontier was based on the Isuzu Rodeo, a shorter wheelbase than the pickup yet sharing many of the same components of the pick up. One of the most impressive features of the Frontier was its rear seat legroom that turned it into one of the most sought after early SUV’s in the market. Powered by the 2,8- litre turbodiesel engine and offered in 4x2 LE (R159 305) and 4x4 LX (R187 754) configurations, both with a rear diff lock as standard. “Bound to win many friends ... a good-enough compromise to be taken seriously by people who would like to respond to the call of the wild,” was a test verdict. A new, high-tech 140 kW/265 N.m 3,2-litre V6 petrol engine is offered on the Frontier and in four KB pick-ups, priced the same as the equivalent 2,8 turbodiesel models. For the 1999 model year, the 2,0- and 2,6-litre carb-fed petrol fours are replaced with a new 70 kW/170 N.m 2,0- and 85 kW/190 N.m 2,2-litre fuel injected motors. Side impact beams are fitted to all KB and Frontier derivatives. The KB220 LE was described as a “likeable, usable, robust- feeling bakkie with some sensible creature comforts to make it an appealing workhorse” and the Frontier 320 LX as having “good looks and a lusty engine” and “the ability to transport people and cargo in a variety of configurations to most off-road destinations”. The flagship Trooper was upgraded, including the fitting of the 3,2-litre V6. Corporate activity saw GM raise its stake in Isuzu to 49 per cent, effectively gaining control of the company. The KB200 lwb was the first featured test in the new millennium and it was stated as being “capable and civilised”. Later, the KB250Dc DC 4x2 came under the spotlight, in particular with its diesel engine’s ‘c’ moniker, which stood for ‘compensator’ that actually meant a low-pressure turbo, fitted, primarily, to afford strong performance at altitude – in effect 11,5 per cent more power and 16 per cent more torque over the naturally-aspirated 2,5 motor. The fuel-thrifty workhorse “made sense, particularly for short-haul use”. It was at this point in time that the Isuzu diesel engine dominance started to emerge in South Africa with a line up covering workhorse 2.5 litre naturally aspirated and compensated engines plus the powerful 2.8 litre turbo diesel. Early in 2002, Fuji Heavy Industries bought Isuzu's share of the Lafayette, Indiana plant and Subaru-Isuzu Automotive became Subaru of Indiana Automotive. Also at that time, Honda and Isuzu cooperatively ended their vehicle exchange agreement. Later in the year, Isuzu began to re-purchase its stock from shareholders, primarily General Motors, reducing GM's share to 12 per cent as part its comprehensive recapitalisation plan. As part of this reorganization, GM gained full control of DMAX as well as ownership of all diesel engine designs from Isuzu.

Next: The 21st century and beyond

Compiled and written by Mike Monk

3 About General Motors General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest- growing automotive markets. GM’s brands include and , as well as , , GMC, , Isuzu, Jiefang, , Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

GMSA Contacts:

Caroline Thomas Product Communications Manager General Motors South Africa +27 41 403 2547 (tel) +27 41 403 2922 (fax)

E-mail: [email protected] Website:www.gmsa.com Media On-Line: http://media.gm.com

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