Isuzu Motors India (IMI), a subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited, Japan celebrated a decade of manufacturing vehicles in India at its modern manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. Inaugurated in April 2016, the facility has grown into a key monozukuri manufacturing base for Isuzu’s domestic and overseas markets.
The journey reflects Isuzu’s commitment to manufacturing in India and its philosophy of delivering globally benchmarked quality products Made-in-India, for India, and the world including international markets like the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan) and Asia (Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh).
Commemorating the milestone, Naohiro Yamaguchi, President and Representative Director, CEO, Isuzu Motors Limited, Japan and Shigeru Wakabayashi, Group CEO, Mobility Group, Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan were the chief guests for the event. They were joined by, Dr. N.Yuvaraj IAS, Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Government of Andhra Pradesh and Dr. Ravindra Sanna Reddy, Founder and Managing Director, Sri City, along with the host of other dignitaries and representative members from IMI.
Naohiro Yamaguchi expressed his pride in the remarkable progress and achievements of Isuzu Motors India over the last decade. “Our collective dedication and hard work have delivered significant results. Since fiscal year 2022, IMI has maintained consistent profitability, while our export business has witnessed strong growth. India continues to be a strategically important market for ISUZU’s global operations. Looking ahead, our focus remains on strengthening our export business while accelerating growth in the domestic market,” he said.
Shigeru Wakabayashi, Group CEO, Mobility Group, Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan added, “I am truly proud that we have successfully reached our 10th anniversary built on IMI’s business foundation. Going forward, it is important to remain closer to our domestic customers, understand their needs, develop vehicles and services that suit them. Globally, ISUZU has always supported transportation, people’s daily lives and society, and we need to further expand this role here in India.”
Commenting on the milestone, Rajesh Mittal, President & Managing Director, Isuzu Motors India, said, “The last ten years have been an important journey for Isuzu Motors India, and our Sri City facility has been at the heart of it. From the first Made-in-India vehicles to the milestone of one lakh vehicles and our exports, this journey reflects the commitment of ISUZU, its employees, dealer partners and the trust of our customers. In the recent years, IMI has witnessed a strong traction in business and operations, which has resulted in a 2.5 times profitable growth last year.”
Takeshi Hirano, Deputy Managing Director, Isuzu Motors India, said, “Globally, Isuzu is committed to deliver right products and solutions for the mobility of goods and people, creating value, supporting the growth of customers while enriching the society at large. IMI’s Sri City plant stands testimony in delivering exciting and robust products of the same global quality standards. Over the decade, we have understood the evolving market requirements and have continuously supported customers’ growing business aspirations. In the next decade, we will continue to build on our “Never Stop” philosophy delighting the growing ISUZU community in India and the world.”
The Sri City story has been shaped by its monozukuri manufacturing philosophy as much as by its people. Today, Isuzu Motors India has a skilled workforce of over 1,300 employees, and women make up around 28% of its production-line workforce. IMI will continue to actively embrace inclusivity and diversity.
A majority of the production workforce are diploma engineers, who undergo in-house skill development training including the use of artificial intelligence to build proficiency in complex tasks in manufacturing. The workforce currently comprises of 82% local employment, reflecting the plant's commitment to the communities around Sri City. To bridge the level of technical education imparted at technical institutes, IMI also donates cut-section engines. In the recent years, IMI has also embraced sustainability in its spheres of operations.