July 18, 2000
Isuzu Motors Limited

DMAX, Ltd., a joint venture company of diesel engine manufacturing and sales established by Isuzu Motors Ltd.(Isuzu) and General Motors Corporation(GM), has started its production on July 17. The engine is to be installed in the new full-size pickup truck series of GM

DMAX was founded in September 1998 under the share equity of Isuzu and GM, 60% and 40% respectively. The company was established in Moraine, Ohio, to manufacture the most advanced diesel engine. Total capital investments exceed $300 million. DMAX will manufacture the 6.6 liter V8 direct injection diesel which was newly developed by Isuzu. The production is scheduled to reach the level of 200,000 units per year in 2004.

In 1997, Isuzu and GM agreed to leverage the management resources including research and development, to strengthen the global competitivity of GM group. Currently, Isuzu is actively working together with GM in the fields of diesel engine and commercial vehicle business as Center of Expertise. Various projects are in process worldwide under the strategic partnership of GM and Isuzu.

Following the start of operation at Isuzu Motors Polska in Poland, The project of DMAX is significant for the companies. This is an excellent combination and harmony of Isuzu's diesel engine technology and GM's high-quality production workforce.

The new V8 diesel named as DURAMAX 6600 is to be loaded on Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2001 models. With the launching of this new product, GM aims to improve the competitiveness in its category and to reinforce the brand image.

At the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Race held on July 4th in Colorado, The GMC Sierra with the Duramax 6600 prototype achieved the best time record in its history in the diesel vehicle category, which is a good start for DMAX, GM and Isuzu.

DMAX, Isuzu's fifth overseas diesel engine plant, following Thailand, Indonesia, China and Poland, is an important addition to the company's overseas engine supply network and it completes Isuzu's global diesel engine supply network that encompass Asia, Europe, North America and Japan.

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