The Japanese company blamed the move on General Motors Corp. ceasing production for Isuzu of the Ascender sport utility vehicle and i-290 and i-370 pickup trucks.
"It has always been our intention to remain in the U.S. market," Terry Maloney, Isuzu president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. "However, we were unable to secure any commercially viable replacements for these vehicles."
Isuzu spokesman Chip Letzgus would give no more details about the decision Wednesday, saying the company was still talking to dealers and employees. He said Isuzu will likely release further details later this week.
Isuzu sold only 7,098 vehicles in the U.S. in 2007, down nearly 18 percent from the previous year, according to Autodata Corp.
The company said in a statement that it will back its products and dealers for years to come, honoring all product warranties and roadside assistance programs.
Isuzu will offer all current U.S. vehicle dealers the chance to stay on as service-only dealers, the company said.
"Isuzu will discontinue the sales of vehicles only. Our parts and service operation will remain fully functional," Maloney's statement said. "We expect the vast majority of our dealers will continue as service-only dealers."
GM makes the Ascender at its plant in Moraine, Ohio, near Dayton, and the pickups are manufactured at a factory in Shreveport, Louisiana.
