GM, Isuzu to Develop Small MPV for Asia

Isuzu Motors Ltd. and General Motors Co. plan to jointly develop a 10-passenger MPV and put it into production in 2015, according to The Nikkei, which cites no sources.

The Tokyo-based newspaper says the companies expect to make about 50,000 of the vehicles annually, with Isuzu selling models under its brand in Indonesia and GM marketing its own version in India. The report does not indicate where the vans would be built.

GM and Isuzu signed a memorandum of understanding in January to co-develop a pickup truck to co-market in emerging markets. The companies have not indicated when that truck will go into production or where it might be sold.

The two companies created their first partnership in 1971. GM acquired 49% of the company in 1999 but sold the last of its stake in 2006.