The is a medium duty truck produced by Isuzu since 1959. Outside Japan it is known as N series and Q Series. The range was originally mainly available in Japan and other Asian countries. Australia was another important market for the Elf and N series – to the extent that it was manufactured there from the 1970s using many local components. Since the early 1980s, it has also been sold and built in the United States (under the Chevrolet and GMC brands as a W-Series), and also as the Isuzu N-Series. Only North America receives the wide-cab version.
For the common Andinian market (including Chile and Peru), the truck has been assembled in the GM-Colmotores assembling plant in Bogotá, Colombia since 1991, with annual quantities already of 20,000 up to 60,000 units. Local assembly has been increasing because of increasing demand in the Colombian and neighboring markets. It carries "Tecnología Isuzu" (with Isuzu Technology) lettering.
In Indonesia, Philippines and several other countries, the Elf is not only used as a truck, but also converted into microbuses by local body makers. The lighter four-wheeled models are commonly used as an intercity Angkot or Jeepney (share taxis), as a school bus, or as an employee bus. Indonesian conversions typically use car-style hinged doors and usually resemble a high-roof van, while most conversions in Kenya, and newer ones in the Philippines often resemble a minibus, with a folding door on the side for passengers, and standing room.
First generation
The cab-over Elf (TL221) was originally introduced in August 1959. It was originally only available with the GL150 petrol engine rated at . It had single headlights and rear-hinged doors. A longer wheelbase version, on versus the of the regular version, was also available. This carries the TL251 chassis code.
In March 1960, a 2.0-liter diesel engine rated at was introduced (TL121/151), a first for the class in Japan - this was soon followed by diesel models from Isuzu's competitors. In 1962 the engines were updated, and were now rated at respectively. The chassis codes were changed to TL321/351 for the diesel version, reflecting the installation of the all new DL201 engine. A little later on, the chassis codes were reorganized and were now TLG10/11 for the petrol models and TLD10/11 for the diesels. In 1964, the long wheelbase model became the standard version. In 1964, the diesel version was also upgraded to the larger 2.2-litre C220 engine rated at . In 1965, the Elf received a facelift, now having twin headlights.
Isuzu ended up offering a very wide variety of bodyworks for the first generation Elf. These include the original integrated bed, as well as a separate truckbed with dropsides. There was a double-cab version available, as well as special bodywork for dedicated purposes such as a soda truck, a dumper, and a tanker. There was also a "Route Van" model with a glazed rear compartment and seating either three or six passengers, as well as the "Elf Bus" which was available in two models from 1960. The Elf Light Bus has integrated bodywork with the long wheelbase and seats 21 passengers (chassis codes BL171/271 for the diesel/petrol) while the Elf Micro Bus fits into the very narrow slot between the Route Van and the Light Bus. The Micro Bus originally had the Route Van's bodywork but was more passenger-oriented (seating 12 or 15). It carried the TL121/151/21/251B chassis codes, and from 1961 it received its own rear bodywork with bigger glazing. The Elf Bus later became its own line, called the Isuzu Journey.
Second generation
In August 1967, the all-new "Isuzu Light Elf" was added to the existing lineup; this lighter duty version was rated for a . It had single round headlights and a KA-series chassis code; it came with the same G150 engine as fitted to period Isuzu Belletts, rated at . This was the first of the second generation Elfs to be introduced, heavier duty models soon followed and replaced the first generation variants.