Isuzu Motors India recently commenced the 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.
With a wheelbase of 3-metres, the MU-7 is easily among the longest SUVs available in India.
With the launch of first India produced vehicle, Isuzu also announced a unique service initiative ‘Isuzu Insight’ to its 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.
Isuzu is planning to soon go ahead on a dealership-expansion spree and come up with as many as 60 outlets by end of 2015-16.
The company also announced the opening of its Chennai showroom, which is situated at 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. The company has earmarked a total investment of Rs. 3000 crores for this plant which is expected to have a capacity of 1,00,000 to 1,20,000 units once fully operational. Isuzu signed a MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh earlier this year – to set up a LCV manufacturing facility at Sri City, Hyderabad.
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 today. 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.”