GM Returns to Medium-Truck Market

General Motors Co. is partnering with Isuzu Motors Ltd. to reenter the U.S. market for so-called "cab-forward" medium-duty work trucks in 2016 after a seven-year hiatus.

Under the plan, Isuzu will rebadge its Japanese-made N-series trucks as Chevrolets and ship them to the American market. GM will supply V-8 gasoline engines and 6-speed automatic transmissions. Isuzu will offer 3.0-liter and 5.2-liter diesel engines.

Chevy will offer the trucks in six models: 3500, 3500HD, 4500, 4500HD, 5500 and 500HD. Cab-forward designs are popular for urban use because of their maneuverability in tight quarters.

GM says the new vehicles will be the only cab-forward trucks in the North American market to offer gasoline engines. The company will assemble the gasoline-powered trucks in Michigan.

The company has not indicated a sales target for the new line of trucks.