India to be Isuzu's export hub

Japanese trucks and light commercial vehicles giant Isuzu has evinced plans to establish India as an export base for its pickup truck business, which happens to be the single largest contributor to its global revenues.

The company began its India operations in 2012 with the intent of retailing its vehicles — D-Max and mu-7. Initially, it began by selling 180 CBUs in India, which were sold out in three weeks.

Last year, it opened its own manufacturing facility at Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, with an annual capacity of 50,000 units. Today, it retails three models — D-Max (with 70% localisation), D-Max V-Cross (partly localised), and the just launched mu-X luxury SUV, which will be sourced in the form of CKDs from Japan and Thailand, and assembled in India.

“An important focus for us with regard to our India business is to transform the country into an export hub for pickups. We have commenced exporting our pickups to Nepal from last year.

Currently, we are studying export prospects for other neighbouring markets, apart from looking at the possibility of exporting to the Middle East and Africa as soon as possible,” Isuzu Motors India Deputy Managing Director Hitoshi Kono told DH, adding that as a pickup brand, Isuzu operates in the up to 3.5-tonne gross vehicle weight (GVW) segment.

The Indian pickup segment is to the tune of 2 lakh units, and overall, is one of the fastest growing spaces in the auto market. “While there are many players in the pickup space, it all depends upon the reliability they offer in last-mile delivery. What we offer as a company is faster turnaround time with speed, efficiency, safety and security. Along with that we believe that the need for the market to realise is that in order to increase productivity, one needs better comfort,” Kono claimed.

Last year, Isuzu sold 1,300 units of the V-Cross and nearly 1,000 units of the D-Max.
Meanwhile, the prices of the Isuzu mu-X, which was launched in Bengaluru on Friday, begin from Rs 24,36,269 (ex-showroom Bengaluru).

The mu-X is powered by the 3.0 litre ISUZU Ddi VGS Turbo Hi-Power engine which gives a maximum power output of 130 kW (177 PS) and a maximum torque of 380 Nm with a superior flat torque curve. The mu-X will be available in both 4x2 and 4x4 variants with a 5-speed sequential shift automatic transmission.