Starts local production of sports utility vehicle
Plans to increase national footprint to 60 outlets by end of 2015-16
Plans to Launch a unique one-of-its kind service ‘Isuzu Insight’ for valued customers
The Premium seven-seater sports utility vehicle features a bold and aggressive design with an unmatched interior space and ride comfort
Isuzu Motors India, the global diesel engine expert has announced the start of local production of its vehicles and rolled-out its first India-manufactured, BS4 compliant sports utility vehicle MU-7, at a press conference held at Chennai. The MU-7 inherits Isuzu’s diesel-engine expertise and is endowed with superior fuel efficiency and outstanding engine performance. A 3-metre wheel-base makes the MU-7 one of the longest SUVs available in India, offering luxurious and spacious interiors.
With the launch of first India produced vehicle, Isuzu also announced a unique service initiative ‘Isuzu Insight’ to its valued customers. As the name suggests Isuzu Insight will provide insights of an individual’s driving habits and style, thereby helping them improve their fuel efficiency and vehicle performance.
The company’s Chennai showroom has been opened in the upcoming Industrial & IT suburb of Ambattur in Northern Chennai.Isuzu has a contract manufacturing agreement with Hindustan Motors (HML) under which HML is contract assembling CKD kits of Isuzu’s sports utility vehicle MU-7 and pick-up truck D-Max, at its Thiruvallur, Chennai plant. Isuzu’s own manufacturing plant is likely to be operational by 2015-16.
Mr. Takashi Kikuchi – Managing Director, Isuzu Motors India Pvt. Ltd commented on the occasion, “We are extremely happy to begin the local assembly of our products in India. It is the culmination of our extensive research over the last 3 years to understand the Indian market. India is a key region in Isuzu’s global growth strategy for its emerging markets and as an important manufacturing hub in the future. In the next 5 years, our focus will be to accelerate our business and establish Isuzu as an important player in the pickup trucks and utility vehicles market in India.”
Mr. Kikuchi further added, “We are delighted to launch the India made MU-7. This is a water-shed event in the long history of Isuzu in India. The MU-7 SUV is known for its ruggedness, durability and fuel efficiency and is a proven and successful SUV in other key markets. I am sure the Indian customers will enjoy its extra spacious and comfortable ride.”
Isuzu’s entry into India is a great example of importance of India being a key market for Japanese business conglomerates.
Isuzu Motors Limited, Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan is a global manufacturer of light commercial vehicles, commercial vehicles, utility vehicles and diesel engines. With operations in 25 countries with its vehicle sold in more than 100 countries worldwide, the company is a leader in pickups and pickup based derivatives in many markets worldwide along with leadership in light commercial vehicles. The company manufactures and sells close to 6 lakh units annually across the world, and is a leader in pickup trucks & derivatives and light commercial vehicles in most of the key markets that it operates in.
Isuzu Motors India Private Limited, a subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited, Japan was established in August 2012. The company started its India operations by bringing in limited volume of completely built units (CBUs) for the purpose of test marketing and developing a better understanding of the Indian customers. Isuzu Motors, in the next phase of its project has started the assembly of CKD units in contract manufacturing with Hindustan Motors Limited. This is an intermediate stage of the company’s project in India, before the start full fledge localized manufacturing at its own plant at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh expected by 2016.
Image Courtesy : http://motoroids.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Isuzu-MU7-Front.jpg
Image Courtesy : http://smartdriveonline.in/english/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mu7-interior.jpg
