Isuzu Motors India, the local arm of Japanese auto manufacturer Isuzu, today inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in the country. Located in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, the facility rolled out its first locally made Isuzu D-Max V-Cross pickup truck, which was showcased at Auto Expo 2016, based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Spread over 107 acres, the manufacturing plant has a production capacity of 50,000 units, which can be ramped up to 1,20,000 units in future. The plant has been made at a total investment of Rs 3000 crore. To start local manufacturing operations, Isuzu has tied up with 120 component suppliers, including Tier-I and II, who supply parts for the vehicles manufactured in India.
Along with the V-Cross, the facility will also manufacture the D-Max Crew Cab, a four-door pickup with a cargo deck. Isuzu is expected to open bookings for the new-generation vehicles soon.
Localisation for trucks is presently at 70 percent, but the carmaker aims to bring that to 100 percent in the next three years. Also under consideration is the export of the vehicles to other global markets.