Isuzu Elf

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Isuzu Elf / Isuzu N-Series
Manufacturer Isuzu
Production 1959-present
Class Truck
Body style(s) Truck (standard cab, crew cab)
Transmission(s) Isuzu (manual/semi-automatic)
Aisin (automatic)
Related Chevrolet W-Series
GMC W-Series
Chevrolet NPR
An Isuzu Elf truck at  Valvettithurai fish market in Sri Lanka, May 2004
An Isuzu Elf truck at Valvettithurai fish market in Sri Lanka, May 2004
Isuzu Elf first generation
Isuzu Elf first generation
An Isuzu Elf truck in Thailand, used as a Songthaew
An Isuzu Elf truck in Thailand, used as a Songthaew
Isuzu Elf Hybrid
Isuzu Elf Hybrid
2007 Isuzu NQR Minibus
2007 Isuzu NQR Minibus

The Isuzu Elf (いすゞ・エルフ Isuzu Erufu?) is a line of light-duty commercial vehicle produced by Isuzu. Outside Japan it is known as N-series.

The range was primarily available in Japan, Hong Kong and some other Asian countries, and since the late 1980s, also in the United States, Chile and Peru (under the Chevrolet brand), besides others. In Malaysia, the truck is manufactured by Heavy Industries Corporation of Malaysia (HICOM) under the name of HICOM Perkasa, but carrying the Isuzu N-Series Commando badge. Manufacturing began in 1958 with the first cars going to Asia. Australia was another important market for the Elf & N-Series - to the extent that it was manufactured there from the 1970s using many local components. For the Chilean and Peruvian markets the trucks come in boxes in SKD regime to Huechuraba, Chile, where up to 7 a day can be assembled by a team of 13 workers. Every piece comes from Japan. In many markets the Elf & N-Series was very expensive and was replaced by the Isuzu Truck when that model became available for worldwide market in the early 1980s.

Most models of the truck are distinguishable by a front 'Elf' or 'NHR', 'NKR', 'NPR', 'NQR', 'NRR' badge, but the common Isuzu badge is usually used on the rear.

In Indonesia, the Elf is not only used as trucks, but also converted into microbuses by the local body makers. The 4-wheel NHR55 and NKR55 are commonly used for travel bus, school bus, and employee bus.

In the United States, its principal competitors are Bering MS, Mitsubishi Fuso FE and the UD 1200/1300/1400. Japanese competitors are Mitsubishi Fuso Canter, Nissan Atlas, Toyota Dyna and Hino Dutro.

Contents

[edit] Lineup models

[edit] Domestic Japan

  • NHR (1.5t) 4×2
  • NHS (1.5t) 4×4
  • NKR (Standard Hi-Cab) 4×2
  • NKS (Standard Hi-Cab) 4×4
  • NPR (Wide Cab) 4×2
  • NPS (Wide Cab) 4×4

[edit] US & Canada

  • NPR, NQR, NRR, FSR, FTR, FXR

[edit] Other countries

  • NHR
  • NHS
  • NKR
  • NKS
  • NPR
  • NPS
  • Elf
  • HICOM Perkasa
  • Commando

[edit] Mexico

  • ELF300 (NKR)
  • ELF400 (NPR)
  • ELF450 (NQR)

Isuzu Motors de Mexico

[edit] Indonesia

  • Elf NHR55 4-wheel
  • Elf NKR55 4-wheel (started from 2007, & in Russia too)
  • Elf NKR66 6-wheel (up to 2006)
  • Elf NKR71 6-wheel

[edit] With placement

  • Isuzu no Torakku (Isuzu Elf Japanese TV commercial song)

[edit] External links

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