Isuzu to launch Made-in-India LCVs

Isuzu Motors India, a subsidiary of the Japanese utility vehicle maker Isuzu, plans to invest Rs 1,500 crore over five to seven years in its new plant in Andhra Pradesh which would have a capacity of 1.2 lakh units per annum and launch its pick-up truck (D-MAX) and pick-up derivative (MU-7) from this month. Ammar Alvi unveils more.

By signing an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government, Isuzu has managed to acquire 430,000 square metres of land in Sricity in the southern part of the state. The new plant erected here will be the centre for Isuzu’s full-scale light commercial vehicle (LCV) operations in India. Targeting sales of 100,000 units annually, Isuzu has already begun sales of its pick-up truck (D-MAX) and pick-up derivative (MU-7) from March. The vehicles will be

imported as CBUs (Completely Built Units).

Said Shigeru Wakabayashi, deputy MD, Isuzu Motors, “The proposed investment of Rs 1,500 crore will be spread over a period of five to seven years when the peak production touches one lakh units. This facility will also support as a foothold for our main LCV operations in Thailand.”

After signing the MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government, he said the company was trying to rope in a few Japanese automotive suppliers to set up ancillary units around the LCV plant. The pick-up truck segment, the core product of Isuzu’s LCV range, has expanded to become a market with annual sales of 200,000 units in India. “We plan to sell 80,000 units in India and export some 40,000 units to other countries. The first vehicle from this plant is expected to roll out by the end of 2015 or early 2016,” Wakabayashi said.