American Isuzu Motors Inc. and General Motors has announced on Sept. 15, 2000, a joint venture to consolidate Isuzu and GM medium-duty commercial vehicle sales, service and marketing functions in the United States. The new company, General Motors Isuzu Commercial Truck, LLC (GMICT), is designed to meet dealer and customer needs that would ensure long-term growth and profitability in the medium-duty commercial vehicle segment. The new venture, to be based in Cerritos, will have a business center in Pontiac, MI, and regional offices around the country. Ownership of the venture will be shared 51 percent Isuzu and 49 percent GM and managed by a five-person board consisting of two Isuzu representatives, two GM representatives, and James Underwood, who has been elected president, chief operating officer of General Motors Isuzu Commercial Truck. The new organization aims to improve the operational efficiencies for the Chevrolet, GMC, and Isuzu dealer networks. The Chevrolet, GMC, and Isuzu brands will remain intact, and advertising and sales promotion will be developed and implemented jointly. With combined Chevrolet, GMC, and Isuzu medium-duty truck dealers, the new company will serve more than 750 total dealerships. In 1999, this group represented a combined total sales of approximately 55,000 medium-duty (Class 3-7) trucks. General Motors Isuzu Commercial Truck is the latest in the cooperative and successful business practices that GM and Isuzu began in 1971.