The Shyft Group, Isuzu Announce Expanded Collaboration – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
NOVI, Mich. — The Shyft Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHYF), parent company of Spartan RV Chassis and its Red Diamond aftermarket division and a North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service markets, today announced the expansion of its close collaboration with Isuzu North America Corporation, positioning Shyft to grow its business and establish new operations near Isuzu’s future production facility in Greenville County, S.C.
Building on more than a decade-long relationship, the expanded collaboration is expected to create new revenue-generating opportunities, including a dedicated upfit and modification center and a new body program tailored for the North American market, according to a company release.
“This next chapter in our collaboration with Isuzu, which began in 2011, not only reaffirms Shyft’s role as a trusted assembly partner but also positions us to expand our capabilities and deliver even greater value to Isuzu and our customers,” said Jacob Farmer, president, Fleet Vehicles & Services and Specialty Vehicles, The Shyft Group. “We are investing in growth—expanding our footprint, advancing new upfit solutions, vehicle bodies, and platforms—that will strengthen our business and drive long-term success for both companies.”
As part of the transition, Shyft will continue assembling key Isuzu vehicle lines, including the N-Series Gas, N-Series EV, and F-Series trucks, at its Charlotte, Michigan, campus throughout the multi-year production ramp-up in Greenville. Shyft’s assembly expertise will also support the planning and launch of the new facility, ensuring production continuity and a smooth transition.
Shyft and Isuzu are also advancing plans to establish Shyft as a long-term upfit and vehicle solutions provider supporting Isuzu’s North American operations. As part of this effort, plans are progressing for Shyft to develop a dedicated upfit and modification center near the Greenville plant, expected to support Port-Installed Options (PIO), final vehicle modifications, and other upfit services for vehicles produced at the site.
Additionally, Shyft is preparing to introduce a new body program designed to meet the needs of the North American market, aligning its manufacturing and upfit capabilities with growing demand for purpose-built commercial vehicle solutions. Further details on the body program will be shared soon.
“Expanding Isuzu’s U.S. production footprint is a pivotal step in our long-term growth strategy,” said Noboru Murakami, president, Isuzu North America Corporation. “We expect that Shyft’s deep assembly and upfit expertise will play a critical role as we build and scale this new production facility, and we value their continued support as we work together to deliver best-in-class commercial vehicles to the North American market.”
Isuzu’s 1,000,000-square-foot Greenville facility will consolidate production, vehicle preparation, and logistics operations under one roof, enhancing efficiency and supporting Isuzu’s North American growth plans. Initial production is expected to begin in 2027, with further expansion in 2028. Once fully operational, the plant will have the capacity to produce up to 50,000 vehicles annually and employ more than 700 people. The transition will be executed gradually to minimize disruptions and ensure a reliable supply of vehicles to customers.
