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“We are building ourselves in a good phase and we are getting what we wanted so far,” said Ken Takashima, Deputy Managing Director, Isuzu Motor India, here on Tuesday.
Speaking on the sidelines of Isuzu’s second showroom inauguration here, Takashima said Isuzu India sold 2,500 units in 2016-17 and nearly doubled its sales to about 5000 units in 2017-18.
Growth target
“For 2018-19, we are looking at a 50 per cent growth and we are expanding our production and dealer network to achieve this target,” Takashima added.
Takashima contended that the general sentiment in the auto industry is not positive due to rising crude oil prices and depreciating rupee, but added that the company’s operations are relatively smooth since the fuel price impacted small passenger vehicle segment more.
The new showroom also saw the launch of Isuzu’s full-size premium SUV, mu-X, a seven-seater with an ‘eagle-inspired’ styling, refreshed looks, premium interiors and enhanced features at an ex-showroom price of ₹26.23 lakh in Chennai. “India-made range of D-Max and mu-X SUVs vehicles will strengthen and add fillip to our export operations and will play an important role, contributing to the future growth of Isuzu,” Masanori Katayama, President, Isuzu Motors Ltd, said at the inauguration of the showroom of Kun Isuzu and new product launch in the city.
“Although the market for pick-up trucks has always existed in Nepal and Bhutan, the pace of our exports to these countries has picked up faster than we expected,” Katayama added.
Variants
Headquartered in Chennai, Isuzu currently manufactures four variants of D-Max and S-cab under the pick-up truck segment, V-Cross under adventure utility vehicle and the new mu-X under personal vehicle segment from its manufacturing plant in Sri City. Last year, the company exported 300 units to Bhutan and over 200 units to Nepal from India.
“The major reason why I am happy to be associated with Isuzu is that I understand reliability and consistency, which pretty much sum up my actions on the field,” said Jonty Rhodes, former South African cricketer and lifesytle ambassador of Isuzu Motor in India.
“I strongly believe Isuzu products have a huge potential to change the dynamics of the utility vehicle market in India,” Jonty added.
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