Article: Isuzu's exit strategy; Depriving dealers of product was brutal, but the troubled Japanese brand may have done other things right while winding down its sales operation.(Isuzu Motors America Inc.)

Byline: Alysha Webb

How to do away with a damaged brand? One way is the Isuzu way: Starve dealers of product over a long period and dribble out the bad news in small doses.

At least it has proved to be a relatively inexpensive way to dismantle a sales network. And in the end dealers didn't complain too much. So is Isuzu's M.O. a template for other carmakers with brands on the bubble?

On Jan. 31, Isuzu stopped delivering new light-duty vehicles to dealerships in North America a year after announcing it would do so. The remaining 214 Isuzu dealers offer only parts, service and warranty repairs.

Only about half a dozen dealers have cut ...

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