Isuzu Motors of Tokyo, Japan is known around the world for its pickups and pickup-based derivatives. They are also known for their utility vehicles and diesel engines. They started out in India in August 2012 and have been testing waters with limited volume of completely built units (CBUs) for test marketing and developing a better understanding of the Indian customers.
Presently, they are in the second phase of their venture here and have started the assembly of CKD units in contract manufacturing with Hindustan Motors Limited. The groundbreaking ceremony to formally begin the construction of their full fledge, localized manufacturing unit at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh on January 27 was the next step in their operations in India. The manufacturing facility will come up over an acquired area of 107 acres and when it goes operational in 2016 and will employ some 2000 to 3000 people in its various departments.
Isuzu plans to invest INR 3000 crore to set up the manufacturing facility and is expected to have an initial production capacity of 50,000 units per year. The company plans to scale up the production capacity to 120,000 units per year later in the development stage.
The plant, when fully operational, will have state-of-the-art painting booth & oven, water tester, combination tester and spot welding machines. To ensure environmental compliance, Isuzu is expected to develop the best available sustainable and energy efficiency practices including ZLD (Zero Liquid Discharge) facility and ETP (Effluent Treatment Plant) process.
The State of Andhra Pradesh was represented by the Chief Minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy along with Dr. J Geeta Reddy, Minister for Major Industries, Sugar, commerce and Export Promotion, Govt. of AP. Mr. Susumu Hosoi, President and Representative Director Isuzu Motors Limited, Mr. Hideyuki Nabeshima, Member of the Board, Senior Executive Vice President, Mitsubishi Corporation were present during the unveiling of plant’s foundation stone. Mr. Takashi Kikuchi, the President & Managing Director and Mr. Shigeru Wakabayashi, the Deputy Managing Director, Isuzu Motors India also graced the occasion.
Isuzu also presented motor vehicle training kits and program to ITI Tirupati. Keeping in mind the need for skilled manpower for diesel engine technology, Isuzu will also be conducting advanced automobile diesel engine training at ITI Tirupati for ITI technical staff.
