TAIWAN

Joint Venture OKd to Produce Isuzu-Brand Vans: The Taiwan government’s Investment Commission has approved a plan from Isuzu Motors Ltd. of Japan to create a joint venture to produce the vans in Taiwan, officials said. Isuzu will own a 51% stake in the venture, named Taiwan Isuzu Motors Co., and Itochu Corp., a Japanese trading company, will hold a 19% share. Taiwan’s Sanfu Motors Industrial Co. has the remaining 30% stake. Investments from the two Japanese companies in the venture, which will create the 12th auto maker in Taiwan, total $14.5 million, officials said. Under the plan, the venture will assemble Isuzu Panther vans for domestic sale and export.