• General Motors is increasing its shareholding in Isuzu, the
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Japanese car and commercial vehicle manufacturer. GM has held a stake in Isuzu since 1971 and currently owns 38.6% of the company. Isuzu says that 200 billion Yen (£800 million) worth of its convertible bonds is being converted on the Tokyo stock market this month, to leave GM with a shareholding of up to 42%.
Isuzu intends to spend the cash from the deal on a car engine plant at Hokkaido.
The links between Isuzu and GM on CV manufacturing and marketing have been strengthened since the American corporation decided to pull out of this business in Europe and North America.
The recently-established IBC Vehicles, which now runs the former Bedford van plant at Luton, is owned 40% by Isuzu and 60% by GM. The Isuzu WFR-based Bedford Midi range and Bedford Rascal/Suzuki Super Carry micro range, which is built at Luton, are now marketed by Vauxhall Motors with the Astra car-derived vans that it builds.