Japanese
automobile manufacturer Isuzu Motors India Private Limited recently held a ground
breaking ceremony for its new manufacturing facility at Hyderabad. The plant’s
foundation stone was unveiled by Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy, Chief Minister of
Andhra Pradesh and Susumu Hosoi,
President and Representative Director from Isuzu Motors Limited along with
several senior government and company officials.
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 localised manufacturing at its own plant at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh
expected by 2016.
Senior
officials at the ceremony in Andhra Pradesh included Hideyuki Nabeshima, Member of the Board,
Senior Executive Vice President from Mitsubishi Corporation, along with Dr.
(Smt.) J Geeta Reddy, Minister for Major Industries, Sugar, Commerce and Export
Promotion, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Takashi Kikuchi, President &
Managing Director, Isuzu Motors India and Shigeru Wakabayashi, Deputy Managing
Director, Isuzu Motors India.
The
company had acquired 107 acres of land in 2013 after signing an MoU with the
Andhra Pradesh State Government in order to start automobile manufacturing
operation in India. The new facility is likely to commence commercial
operations by early 2016, with the initial production capacity at 50,000 units
per year. Isuzu will scale up the production capacity to 120,000 units per year.
There would be a total investment of Rs. 3000 crore for the project and once
operational it is expected to expected to generate 2000 to 3000 jobs.
Susumu Hosoi, President and Representative
Director, Isuzu Motors Limited, said “We are extremely happy to begin work for
our manufacturing plant in India. Our investment showcases our commitment to
India and we look forward to gradually increase our presence in the country.
This project is considered as one of the important projects at Isuzu Motors. By introducing the globally popular Isuzu
pick-up trucks and SUVs, we are quite confident that our fuel efficient and
durable products will match the needs of the customers in India.”
Commenting
on the occasion, Takashi Kikuchi, President & Managing Director, Isuzu
Motors India said, “It is an important and exciting day for us since we have
broken ground at Sri City. India is a key region in Isuzu’s global growth
strategy for its emerging markets and as an important manufacturing hub in the
future. Our focus is to accelerate our business and establish Isuzu as an
important player in the pickup trucks and utility vehicles market in India.”
He further added, “Andhra Pradesh is an
investor friendly and progressive state with a receptive government and we are
delighted to locate our manufacturing plant here. Moreover, Sri City is in an
ideal location offering impeccable opportunity, superior connectivity and great
infrastructure which are prerequisites for every industry.”