Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, a distributor of low-cab-forward trucks, produced the company’s 100,000th gasoline-powered Isuzu N-Series truck at the Builtmore Contract Manufacturing facility in Charlotte, Michigan.
Production started in Charlotte for the Isuzu N-Series trucks in 2011, beginning with Class 3 and 4 models and then adding a Class 5 gasoline-powered chassis in 2021. With almost five decades of Class 1-7 commercial, retail, and service vehicle success, the Shyft Group and its Builtmore go-to-market brand provide Isuzu with state-of-the-art flexible manufacturing facilities, highly trained personnel experienced in commercial fleet manufacturing and assembly, and proven lean manufacturing processes out of Charlotte.
The production milestone comes less than five years after the 50,000th gas-powered N-Series truck was built. To celebrate, the Builtmore team was personally greeted by Isuzu leadership in Charlotte on both day and night shifts as the 100,000th truck rolled off the line to acknowledge the collaborative partnership and their hard work and commitment to quality.
Read more: Isuzu NQR crew cab and chassis wins Highest Retained Value Award“This is a testament to the increasing popularity of our gasoline-powered N-Series offerings, which can be attributed in large part to the outstanding quality our partners at Builtmore build into every truck,” said Shaun C. Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada.
Isuzu N-Series gas trucks are powered by a 6.6-liter General Motors V8 engine that produces 350 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and generates 425 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,800 rpm.
A full range of N-Series models is available:
- Class 3 NPR (12,000-lb. GVWR)
- Standard Cab in wheelbases of 109, 132.5, 150 and 176 inches
- Crew Cab in wheelbases of 150 and 176 inches
- Class 4 NPR-HD (14,500-lb. GVWR)
- Standard Cab in wheelbases of 109, 132.5, 150 and 176 inches
- Crew Cab in wheelbases of 150 and 176 inches
- Class 5 NQR (17,950-lb. GVWR)
- Standard Cab in wheelbases of 132.5, 150 and 176 inches
- Crew Cab in wheelbases of 150 and 176 inches
- Class 5 NRR (19,500=lb. GVWR)
- Standard Cab in wheelbases of 132.5, 150 and 176 inches
- Crew Cab in wheelbases of 150 and 176 inches
The Class 3 and 4 NPR and NPR-HD models employ a GM 6L90 six-speed automatic transmission while the Class 5 NQR and NRR are equipped with an Allison 1000 Rugged Duty Series six-speed automatic gearbox.
Builtmore also assembles the Cummins B6.7 diesel-powered Class 6 and 7 Isuzu FTR, FVR Derate and FVR at the Charlotte facility.
“Back in August 2018, I said that we were looking forward to the next 50,000 gas-powered N-Series trucks coming out of Charlotte,” said Skinner. “We’re very fortunate that—thanks to our loyal customers, our excellent dealer partners, and our assembly team at Builtmore—those next 50,000 arrived so quickly. We truly are looking forward to the next 100,000, and who knows? They may be assembled sooner than anyone could predict.”
For more information, please visit www.isuzucv.com.