Major Japanese truck builder Isuzu Motors Ltd. has agreed to maintain its alliance with US auto giant General Motors Corp., which filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday, Isuzu officials said on Wednesday.

The agreement came during telephone talks between the firms' chiefs, Kyodo News quoted officials from Isuzu as saying.

Isuzu and GM have founded joint ventures to produce diesel engines in the United States and Poland. Isuzu has also commissioned GM to assemble vehicles.

Toyota Motor Corp. and Suzuki Motor Corp. also plan to maintain their own joint ventures with GM.

(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2009)