Isuzu intends to end its business relationship with GM and Opel

The Japanese manufacturer Isuzu appears to be considering ending all business relations with Opel and with GM, according to some reports that appeared today in Japan. The Japanese builder manufactures in Poland the diesel engines for the Meriva, the Corsa and the Astra.

The reason for this decision is the crisis gripping Europe, although withdrawing from the engine market would not help much to improve its own situation, since it would have to lay off 10% of its European workforce, according to Nikkei.

Isuzu has communicated that it denies this news, although Nikkei, Japan’s most important financial newspaper, says it has leaks from the highest level of executives at Opel and Isuzu to reconfirm the news.

Neither Opel nor GM have given their opinion on the matter, although Isuzu shares a significant percentage of its stock with GM to manufacture the diesel engines intended for Opel (40%). Should Opel have to change its engine supplier, which diesel would it choose for its models?