The VehiCROSS: Promotional Materials
Isuzu provided several promotional items for the VehiCross, starting with the Japanese release and continuing with the US version. This site segment will detail the items that I have collected over the years. It is by no means complete, and will only provide items that were official Isuzu promotional in nature (meaning that they were created and distributed by Isuzu). The Japanese-release items are unusually difficult to obtain (at least on this side of the Pacific). Besides brochures provided for each model year in Japan, there were also accessory catalogs, "Your Sports Mind" limited items, and Isuzu's publication "Bells Magazine." I've also included information for two Promotions that I know about, the first direct mail promotion in the US and an Isuzu/Reebok/Ironman promotion for 2000. I've listed the items by release date.
Japan Market Promotions
Isuzu "MOVE" The 30th Tokyo Motor Show Booklet
Published: 1993
This oversized (14 1/2" x 10") 20 page (including the covers) booklet introduces the VehiCROSS and XU-1 Concept SUVs. The first half covers their SUV line for the Japanese market, while the second half covers their box-truck line.
Isuzu JDM 1997 VehiCROSS Catalog
Published: 1997
I gather that this is the only Isuzu VehiCROSS catalog issued in Japan until the 175 Limited Edition, so in use for both the 1997 and 1998 years..
Isuzu VehiCROSS Accessories
Published: 1997
I've always thought it odd that there was an abundance of VX options offered in the Japanese market, as opposed to the hand-full offered in the US. This 4-Panel brochure details the official Isuzu produced/endorsed options. Of note are both the mundane items (such as Splash Guards and Window Deflectors) and the unusual (such as a factory mini-disc player). Before you run out trying to obtain anything, know that it is extremely difficult (most of the items are no longer available - what is still available is very hard to purchase unless you have connections in their automotive industry). 22.5 mm x 28 mm folded; Japanese Market ©1997 #03-3763-6481
Isuzu "Your Sports Mind" Poster Set
Published: 1998
Part of an Isuzu Japan campaign, this promotional set contained 12 Full-color posters on high-quality paper (plus one glassine introduction sheet and Japanese-text sheet), packaged in a 28.5 mm x 37 mm stiff-paper black folder. The shots are mostly intentionally blurred "action" images of the VX going down roads and trails. Interesting and rare, I've heard that both the card sets (below) and posters were available in Japan through dealerships in limited quantities. The posters were given out to Isuzu US VX visitors at a meet in Cerritos several years ago (incidentally, the original VX concept, as well as the VX02 and VX04 concept vehicles at the time were stored at Cerritos).
Isuzu "Your Sports Mind" Postcard Set
Published: 1998
Also part of the same "Your Sports Mind" promotion as the poster set above, these 8 Full-color plus 8 B&W postcards are printed on high-quality paper (plus one glassine introduction sheet and Japanese-text sheet), packaged in a 11.5 mm x 16 mm stiff-paper box. Really nice packaging and a nice accompaniment to the poster set above.1
Isuzu JDM 1999 "All Models" Catalog
Published: 1998
I couldn't find a date on this catalog - it's either a 1998 or a 1999 (assuming it's the latter).
Bell's Isuzu SUV World 1999 March Vol. 3
Published: 1998
This Japanese-market magazine features wonderful production values, full-color images and high-gloss heavy paper.
Isuzu 175 Limited Edition VehiCROSS
Published: 1999
This unusual oversized 6 Panel brochure details the Limited Edition release of the VX in japan, I believe for 1999. It appears that this was the final year of the VehiCROSS in the Japanese-market (before or concurrent with the US-market release), so Isuzu did something unusual. Besides having some of the US upgrades (such as the red and black leather interior - earlier versions had cloth seats), the Limited Edition release were all numbered 1-175 of 175. Also, for this release the Japanese buyer could purchase the VX in one of 25 colors (crazy!). The brochure is printed on slick stiff paper in full color. 22.5 mm x 28 mm folded; Japanese Market ©1999 #03-5471-1188
Bell's Isuzu SUV World 2000 January Vol 8
Published: 2000
This issue of the Japanese market magazine has a wonderful 4 page article entitled "Ride on the SUV" No 7 with concept SUVs.
US Market Promotions
Isuzu 1998 "We looked into the future...and this is what we saw." Sheet
Published: 1997
I believe this is another promotional item give out at car shows in the US (and other non-Japanese markets) prior to the 1999 model being announced.
Isuzu 1998 VehiCROSS "Sweet Dreams. From the Sport Utility Specialists." Card
Published: 1998
I believe this card was produced as a handout at US car shows prior to the VehiCROSS US-market offering.
Isuzu "VehiCROSS - Evolution Unchecked"
Published: 1998
This appears to be the first "teaser" dealer promo in the US featuring the VehiCROSS as a US-market release.
Isuzu "VehiCROSS - Landing Spring 1999"
Published: 1998
Similar to the oversized card above, but in a more traditional 6 ¾" x 6 ¾" stiff card stock, this promotion has a Business Reply card attached so that the bearer can get on Isuzu's spam list for the VX. I believe this card also to be quite rare. No copyright information other than for TOD.
Isuzu US News Bureau Press Kit
Published: 1998
Oversized clamshell boxed Press Kit with info and images approved for publishing.
Isuzu Direct Mail "Cars, Prepare for Extinction - Introducing Isuzu VehiCROSS"
Published: 1998
Beautiful piece of direct-mail marketing of about 2000 copies to potential VehiCROSS buyers.
Isuzu "Cars, Prepare for Extinction - Introducing Isuzu VehiCROSS"
Published: 1999
This appears to be the first "official" dealer brochure featuring the VehiCROSS, it's fairly scarce with a print run estimated of about 17,000.
Isuzu 1999 Signed-Limited Silverprint by Jesse Alexander
Published: 1998
As part of the Isuzu 1998 Direct Mail Promotion, a card-holder (came with the promotion) would receive one of 500 signed/numbered Jesse Alexander framed and matted silverprints when you purchased a 1999 VehiCROSS.
Open Road (by Road & Track) Winter 1998/1999 (Reprint)
Published: 1998
Cover plus 6 pages. Full Article with color pics (scans are of an Isuzu-printed copy of the article).
Isuzu News Bureau Press Kit
Published: 1999
This Press Kit was obtained during the Chicago Auto Show 1999. It includes 15 B&W glossy photos for the 1999 Isuzu product line - 3 images are of the 1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS.
Isuzu 1999 "We Categorically Deny Any Connection to Government Experiments at Area 51."
Published: 1999
1999 Isuzu "Area 51" advertisement published in most major US automotive magazines and used in various other forms.
Isuzu "The Future of Sport Utility Vehicles is Now… VehiCROSS"
Published: 1999
This really wonderful 8 ½" x 5 ½" stiff fold-over card was given out as an invitation to the VehiCROSS unveiling in Nashville Tennessee (it may have also been used at other "unveilings" across the country). This example was given to me by Nashville VX aficionado Carl McCoy - whatta guy!
Sport Utility Vehicle January 1999 (Reprint)
Published: 1999
This Isuzu produced, 6-Page reprint of a Sport Utility Vehicle Magazine article (January 1999) reprises the cover story "Future Vision." It was given away by Isuzu dealers as an incentive to buy the VX based upon a very favorable review. Besides the page-length, you can distinguish this as different from the real magazine due to "Landing Spring 1999!" being printed on the back cover. Scans of the interior pages are included in the Publications pages.
Isuzu "Life is Too Big for Cars" Fold-Out
Published: 1999
This was probably the first appearance of the VX along with the regular lineup.
Isuzu VX-02 "The World's First Off-Roadster" Card
Published: 1999
This Isuzu-produced card is the same size and was probably produced by the same design firm as the 10 panel brochure above. The VX-02 "The World's First Off-Roadster" is a 2-sided 6 ¾" x 6 ¾" stiff card with interesting information on the concept convertable. Nicely produced.
Isuzu VX-4 "Fast Connections - More Bandwidth" Card
Published: 1999
This Isuzu-produced card is once again the same size as the 10 panel brochure above, however the graphics suggest a different design firm. The VX-4 card features the 4-door version of the VX is a 2-sided 6 ¾" x 6 ¾" stiff card with images and information on the concept vehicle. Nicely produced, no other print codes or dates.
Isuzu KAI "The New Architecture of Excitement" Card
Published: 1999
This Isuzu-produced card is a 2-sided 6 ¾" x 6 ¾" stiff card with images and information on the concept vehicle. Nicely produced, no other print codes or dates.
Isuzu DESEO "Continuous Innovation." Card
Published: 1999
This Isuzu-produced stiff card with images and information on the concept vehicle. Nicely produced, no other print codes or dates.
Isuzu 1999 Reebok Ironman Direct-Mail Promotion
Published: 1999
In 1999 Isuzu sponsored the Ironman competition in Kona Hawaii. Prior to the event Isuzu sent out this mailer, cleverly packaged in a Reebok shoe box.
Isuzu 1999 Ironman Competition 1999.11.18 Promotion
Published: 1999
Isuzu took its sponsorship of the Ironman competition seriously with various artifacts including a special edition VehiCROSS show truck.
Commemorative Ironman Special Edition 1999 VehiCROSS
Published: 1999
This special edition Ironman VehiCROSS was shown at various US car shows - it has special wheels and a graphic body wrap.
Isuzu "Cross Over Into the Future" VehiCROSS
Published: 2000
This 8-panel foldout with internal poster is the most comprehensive of the Isuzu brochures to be produced for the VehiCROSS.
Isuzu "Go Farther" Booklet
Published: 2000
The 42 Page booklet reprises the entire Isuzu model line-up for 2000. Pages 11-18 feature the VehiCROSS with some of the same images used in the 8-panel brochure above.
Isuzu 2000 "Go Farther" Full-Page Ad
Published: 2000
This full-page ad appeared in several magazines in 2000 "10 Years or 120,000 Miles (Finally, a Powertrain Limited Warranty for Vehicles that are made to run over things*)"
Isuzu "Go farther." Mouse Pad with the VehiCROSS on the Moon
Published: 2000
I suspect that these mouse pads were originally provided to employees as an internal promotion, however at least some managed to get into the hands of Isuzu owners.
Isuzu 2000 Multimedia CD-ROM Press Kit
Published: 2000
I believe this was released around 2000 - it may have come with a "Go farther." Mouse Pad.
Isuzu "The Isuzu Hard Drive Sales Event" Promotion Card
Published: 2000
Isuzu promotion partnering with Gateway Computers. I'm not sure if this was offered US-wide or if it was a regional thing. Basically, if you buy or trade-in and buy a 2000 Isuzu you get a free Gateway computer.
Isuzu "The Isuzu Hard Drive Sales Event" Promotion Letter
Published: 2000
Second, reinforcing letter as a follow-up to the card above.
Isuzu "100 Reasons" Catalog
Published: 2001
Isuzu writes 100 reasons why their trucks are so great in this 48 Page booklet. Pages 6-13 feature the VehiCROSS as Reason 11.
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