> >
> > > Just to squash the rumour, Isuzu is NOT in financial difficulty. >
> There was an article in a recent prestigious magazine called "Car"
> which absolutely stated that the company was in dire financial
> straights even after [at least a couple of] refinancing deals. Also GM
> had reduced its exposure by reducing its stockholding. You sound
> knowlegable about the Company, so what spin do you put on it?
Isuzu has been totally finanically restructured over the last couple of years - it was practically bust. GM used to have a 49% stake in Isuzu, which has now reduced to around 12%. As part of the restructuring GM has written off some Isuzu debt and bought out some Isuzu commercial diesel manufacturing plants.
There are several references on the web about Isuzu's dire financial position and the restructuring.
Dave, who works for Isuzu has another view. I have heard the same as Andrew and also that Isuzu will reduce to what is basically a pick-up truck manufacturer, which is surely unsustainable. This is some of what Dave told me and I hope he doesn't mind because there is no great secret in it.
"Isuzu like al other Japanese companies are experiencing cash flow issues. This is no reflection on the company or the business. Isuzu are one of the strongest companies in Japan.
GM have actually increased their holdings of Isuzu to 60%. This includes Isuzu Japan, Isuzu Germany and Isuzu Poland. All these are very important companies."
It strikes me that if Isuzu were one of the strongest companies in Japan then their economy must be in truly dire straits. Strong companies do not need financial bail-outs and neither do they commonly shrink substantially in output but mostly expand. In my experience, a company's workers are about the last to know of its demise. The big question is, "what are Isuzu dealers going to sell in sustainable and profitable volume after Trooper"? The pick-up will surely not keep Isuzu UK in business. Neither will the tiny volume of cars.
Many investors and employees believed that of Marconi too - until they learned better. Debt for equity swaps are about avoiding insolvency - not about temporary cash flow problems. Isuzu is in *very* serious financial difficulty.
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