Isuzu Rolls Out Locally Assembled MU-7; New Manufacturing Facility by 2017
The Japanese SUV maker- Isuzu Motors today has commenced local production of its models in India. The Indian manufacturer Hindustan Motors will assemble Isuzu MU-7 SUV and the Isuzu D-Max pickup at its Thiruvallur plant in Chennai from CKD kits which will be sourced from Thailand. Isuzu’s own manufacturing plant is likely to be operational by 2015-16. The locally assembled MU-7 SUV is priced at Rs 22 lakh for the BS III variant and Rs 22.3 lakh for the BS IV variant.
The company has already earmarked a total investment of Rs 3,000 crore for its own plant, which is expected to have a vehicle production capacity of 1.20 lakh units per year. Isuzu has signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Government earlier this year to set up an LCV manufacturing facility at Sri City, Hyderabad. According to the manufacturer, Isuzu will continue to assemble the MU-7 SUV at the HM Chennai facility "for the time being". The D-Max assembly will begin at the Chennai facility soon. Isuzu is targeting 5,000 units to roll out of the facility in the upcoming fiscal year. This will comprise of the MU-7 and D-Max pickup.
“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 three years to understand the Indian market,” Isuzu Motors India Managing Director Takashi Kikuchi told reporters here. Isuzu has also announced a new service initiative called Isuzu Insight for its customer. This new initiative will provide guidance on correct driving style and habits which in order to improve fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. Isuzu has also announced to expand its dealer network to 60 outlets by the end of 2015-16. Isuzu’s Chennai showroom will be inaugurated on December 11 and is located in Northern Chennai area.