Australasia

Holden in Australasia distributed the second generation Isuzu Faster between January 1981 and August 1988 as the first generation or KB series "Holden Rodeo", for which production started in December 1980.^[6][13] Early KBs were fitted with circular headlamps and a horizontal four-bar grille, but a 1983 model year facelift in December 1982 brought rectangular lamps with a 12-port grille insert as well as restyled side mirrors.^[13][14]

At launch, Holden made the Rodeo available in utility (pickup) and cab chassis body variants in both rear- (LWB) and four-wheel drive (SWB) layouts. All models featured a floor- or column-mounted four-speed synchromesh manual transmission coupled with the 1.6-liter gasoline or 2.0-liter diesel engines.^[15] The 1983 model year update increased these displacements to 1.8- and 2.2-liters, respectively. At the same time a new upmarket "LS" model was issued (coded KB28), fitted with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and five-speed manual.^[16] For the 1984 year model, beginning in February 1984, the 2.0-liter became the base gasoline engine.^[17]

With the demise of the Holden WB in 1984, the Rodeo became the only pickup and chassis cab vehicle available from Holden (until the arrival of the car-based Holden VG Utility in 1990). The 1985 model from July the same year^[13] signaled another facelift, the release of the two-door Space Cab body style, the debut of a new 2.3-liter gasoline engine, and the deletion of the four-speed manual and column-shift selector (making the floor-mounted five-speed manual standard).^[18] From March 1986 (1986 model year), the 2.3-liter became the standard gasoline engine and in April the subsequent year, the 1987 models obtained a final facelift with an open rectangular grille design and optional power steering.^[13][19][20]

Versions with unique local specifications were assembled in New Zealand at GM's Trentham assembly plant. These were also badged as Holdens.

Europe

The second generation KB was introduced in many European markets, not only Britain, as the Bedford KB. In subsequent years continental markets saw a switch to Isuzu badging as General Motors stopped using the Vauxhall and Bedford brands outside of the United Kingdom.^[21] It was called by the model code, Specifications and trims varied depending on market needs, but most received the 1.6-liter G161Z petrol engine with a twin carburettor and 80 PS (59 kW), or the 2-liter C190 diesel inline-four with 54.5 PS (40 kW). Two-wheel-drives were also available on a long wheelbase not offered in combination with four-wheel-drive.^[22]

North America

The United States continued to receive the Faster under the "Chevrolet LUV" name for the second generation, introduced in 1980 for the 1981 model year. The gasoline engine remained the same, but the LUV was now available with an Isuzu C223 diesel engine making 58 hp (43 kW) at 4300 rpm and 93 lb⋅ft (126 N⋅m) at 2200 rpm. This new engine gave the rear-wheel drive diesel LUV a fuel economy rating of 33 mpg_‑US (7.1 L/100 km) city / 44 mpg_‑US (5.3 L/100 km) highway.

After the 1982 model year, General Motors stopped selling the Chevrolet LUV (although many '82s lingered on forecourts into the next year) in the United States in favor of their own S-10 compact pickup. Meanwhile, Isuzu had sold their version in parallel with the LUV since their 1981 entry to the US market, under the name "Isuzu P'up" (short for "pickup"). Isuzu's version received another grille and other differences to set it apart from the LUV, not the least of which is the giant "ISUZU" block letters on the tailgate.^[10] The P'up received the same engines as the LUV; either an 80 hp (60 kW) 1.8-liter gasoline inline-four (G180Z) or a 2.2-liter diesel version with 58 hp (43 kW) (C223). Four-wheel drive was available with either engine but only in short-wheelbase form,^[23] though some 4WD long-wheelbase diesel are known to exist, possibly dealer-installed or aftermarket conversions. Because of technology-sharing agreement between GM and Isuzu, the diesel was also offered with the LUV's replacement until 1985. Later, the gasoline engine was upgraded to Isuzu's 1.95-liter four and a turbodiesel version was added, with the turbo standard on diesel-engined 4WD models.^[24]

For 1987, the P'up gained a "Spacecab" extended cab model.^[24] This was only available in LS or Deluxe trim. Also new was the option of a 2.3-liter gasoline four (standard on 4WDs).^[24] Production for the Mexican and Latin American markets did not end until 1994.

South America

As with North America, the Isuzu KB was generally issued under the name "Chevrolet LUV" in South America. Manufactured in Colombia from Japanese complete knock down (CKD) sets, these models entered production in 1980 to be exported to other South American countries, continuing on until the release of the TF series in 1988. At the start, the versions assembled were the K-26 and K-28. It was offered with a 1584 cc (G161Z) engine.^[25] It was also offered a (C190) diesel version of 1951 cc with eight valves in the cylinder head and 62 PS (46 kW).^[26] This model of the Isuzu KB only was assembled in Chile via CKD kits from Japanese origin.^[26]

Australia

Holden introduced the TF series into Australia in 1988, branded as the Holden Rodeo, following on from the name of the previous Isuzu based light truck sold by the brand in Australia. The Holden Rodeo was initially available with a 2.6-liter 88 kW (118 hp) inline-four. A 2.8-liter 74 kW (99 hp) turbodiesel was introduced soon after. Body styles offered were a two-door single cab, a two-door SpaceCab, with space for two small jump-seats (rarely if ever fitted in Australia) behind the front passengers, and a four-door Crewcab, with space for the driver and four passengers. Several trim levels were available, which included DX (base model), LX (mid-range RWD, top of the 4WD range) and LT (top of the range, only available as an RWD petrol Crewcab).

The facelifted 1997 (1998 model year) Holden Rodeo came with a new trim level, LT Sport, available as a four-wheel Crewcab only. Airbags for the driver and front passenger also became an option. By 1998 the 2.6-liter engine was discontinued and a new engine was offered, a 3.2-liter 140 kW (188 hp) V6. This engine was available in both rear- and four-wheel-drive. The rear-wheel-drive version had the same chassis, and thus ride-height as the four-wheel-drive, but without the transfer case and front axle. The 3.2-liter V6 was the most powerful engine in a pickup truck in Australia until it was replaced in 2003 by the new look Rodeo based on the Isuzu D-Max. Accordingly, this engine was the most popular engine in the Rodeo, and the Rodeo sold very well overall, near the sales numbers of the Toyota Hilux, traditionally the best-selling commercial vehicle in Australia.

The Holden Rodeo was updated once again in 2001 for the 2002 model year, with a new diesel engine, a 3.1-liter 96 kW (129 hp) direct injection intercooled turbodiesel. The update was also accompanied by minor styling changes, such as clear indicator lenses, and a different grille.

Europe

In Europe, the Isuzu was sold as the TF alongside the rebadged "Opel Campo". It was also sold as the "Isuzu Campo." In the United Kingdom "Bedford Brava" badging was used rather than Opel. When the Bedford brand was retired, it was rebadged as a Vauxhall. These received the same updates as did the Isuzu TF in general markets, and a variety of body styles were available, usually coupled with diesel engines.

North America

In North America, the TF series appeared in 1988 as simply the "Isuzu Pickup". Produced at Lafayette, Indiana, Isuzu continued on with the TF until 1996 when it was finally replaced with the Hombre (a badged-engineered Chevrolet S-10). The only engines available were the 96 hp (72 kW) 2.3-liter 4ZD1, the 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) 2.6-liter 4ZE1 and the GM 3.1-liter V-6 (designation LG6) producing 120 hp (89 kW) and 170 lb⋅ft (230 N⋅m) for the 1991–1994 model years.^[29] The 2.3-liter version holds the distinction of becoming the last carbureted passenger vehicle sold new in the United States (1994 model year). There was also a heavier, work oriented one-tonne model available.^[30] The truck continued to be sold in Mexico, and Latin America until production ended in 2016.

South America

As with the previous KB series generation, South American markets again received the TF models under the "Chevrolet LUV" name. The Chilean assembling works began in 1982,^[26] meanwhile in Colombia commenced in 1989,^[31] In the assembling process, the local parts usage percentage was high and important for the LUV manufacturing process. In Chile it has to reach 40% percent domestic parts content, meanwhile in Colombia exceeded 70%.^[32]

A successful export program beginning in Chile in 1980s to the Andean Community countries: Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela; and in 1993 began the exports from Chilean assembled units (in the SpaceCab model only) to Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, and Venezuela.^[26] In total, more than 220,000 units were produced only in Chile, and more than 300.000 in Colombia. From 1999 and to little success, Thai Rung Union Car supplied the Chevrolet plant in Arica, Chile with the unique body panels from their "Isuzu Grand Adventure" model to make the Chevrolet Grand Adventure and the "Chevrolet Grand LUV". The Grand Adventure was a wagon version of the TF series pickup.

By the late 1980s, supplementary assembly began in Quito, Ecuador by Omnibus BB Transportes (now General Motors Ecuador) with a 1.6-liter inline-four cylinder engine, making 80 hp (60 kW).

In October 2005; was ceased the Isuzu Faster Chilean manufacture. In Colombia, the Isuzu Faster has ceased its production in 2010. The last Faster rolled off the assembly line on May 8, 2010. In both countries, the Isuzu Faster was replaced by the Isuzu D-Max, these firsts units were assembled only in Ecuador and later from vehicles coming from Thailand (2014 onwards).

Bibliography

• Bebbington, Terry (2009). 60 Years of Holden. Padstow, New South Wales: Haynes Manuals. ISBN 978-1-876953-58-4.
• Lamm, Michael (July 1981). "Driving the Isuzu I-Mark and P'up". Popular Mechanics. New York City.
• Ruiz, Marco (1986). 'The Complete History of the Japanese Car: 1907 to the Present. Rome: ERVIN srl. ISBN 0-517-61777-3.