Tuesday, April 7, 2009

1985 Isuzu Gemini.

The 1985 Isuzu Gemini was the last car ever designed by automobile designer Giorgetto Giugiaro for Isuzu. General Motors and Isuzu had an arrangement where Isuzu would produce cars under its own badge and also under GM's multiple brand names for the international market.

Apparently Isuzu presented the concept design to GM, and at GM's request, altered the design without consulting with Giorgetto Giugiaro. Giugiaro, a proud Italian who had previously worked on iconic cars like the original VW Golf Mk 1, the Maserati Bora, and countless supercars, was offended - and quit working with Isuzu (and disavowed having worked on the Gemini).

Isuzu subsequently generally dropped out of the regular passenger vehicle market and is now better known for its commercial truck business (I make no causal inferences between the departure of Giugiaro and the failure of Isuzu's passenger vehicle, but it is interesting).

In any case - Isuzu had a very cool commercial for the 1985 Gemini. They sure don't advertise cars like they use to.

No comments: