Isuzu will be investing Rs. 3000 crores in India at the new facility in Andhra Pradesh that will have a total annual production capacity of 1.2 lakh units by 2016.
A relatively unknown automaker in India, Japanese brand Isuzu Motors is growing fast and strong spreading its dealership base across the country. Having established its name in the south, the company has slowly been expanding its presence in North India as well and most recently opened its new dealership outlet in Jaipur, Rajasthan. With plans to be a dominant player in the Indian market, the automaker is making significant investments in the country to the tune of Rs. 3000 crores by 2016 that will see vehicle production scaled up to 1,20,000 units per year.
Isuzu currently retails two products in India which include the D-Max pickup rivalling the Tata Xenon and Mahindra Genio as well as the MU-7 SUV that competes against the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and the likes in the segment. Currently in partnership with Hindustan Motors, the automaker is building its new manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh that will be a major production hub for the company. Apart from an installed capacity of 1.2 lakh units per annum, the new plant will also provide direct and indirect jobs to around 2000-3000 people.
Isuzu plans to achieve 100 percent localisation with its products within three years of commencing production in 2016. In the meantime, the company is ensuring to have strong presence across North India which accounts for 30 percent of the total sales in the segment, especially for pickups. The automaker plans to open at least 60 dealerships by the end of 2015 or early 2016, while an Innova rivalling MPV is also on the cards for launch by 2016. The MU-7 is priced at Rs. 19.69 lakhs while the D-MAX range is priced from Rs. 6.13 lakh onwards (all prices ex-showroom, Jaipur).
