SML Isuzu builds robust trucks and buses for the Indian market and also ships them to neighbouring countries and some African nations. With strong technical know-how and technology from Isuzu and Swaraj Mazda’s frugal engineering expertise, the company products have been well-accepted globally. Mr. Toshihiro Otsubo, Sr. VP – Marketing, SML Isuzu, shares details on the company’s exports business.
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Products exported
We export state-of-the-art staff, school as well as luxury buses and trucks. The school buses we export have 14, 26, 32 and 42 seating capacity options while we also export S7 buses having 33, 40 and 41 seating options. Our luxury buses built on Japanese Isuzu Platform include Isuzu FR 1318 with 42 seats and Isuzu LT 134, which is a rear engine integral coach with 45 seats, are mainly shipped to Sri Lanka. While our range of luxury buses is a perfect combination of comfort, modern looks and economy, we are a one stop solution for staff, school and sightseeing requirements.
We also export trucks with payload capacity from 3 Ton to 7.5 Ton both as CKDs and CBUs. Our truck range includes vehicles from GVW range of 5 Tons to 12 Tons for numerous applications. Our most popular truck models for exports are 4WD (4 wheel drive) Truck (6,450 kg GVW), Super Tipper (8720 kg) and Samrat Tipper (10,250 kg) trucks as completely built truck models.
Major regions exported to
We currently export to Nepal (as CBUs), Bangladesh (as CKDs), Bhutan, Sri Lanka (Isuzu luxury buses), Ghana and Tanzania. Complete Knockdown (CKD) consignments are exported to Bangladesh, which are assembled at our state-of-the-art assembly plant at Chittagong.
Key factors behind global success
SML Isuzu is an unmatched amalgamation of the Japanese Technical Expertise & Quality with Indian dedication & craftsmanship. Japanese products are considered superior the world over for their technical advancement and quality whereas Indians are passionate, hardworking and aggressive with the business sense. Because of the support from global automotive giants, Mazda Motors, and now Isuzu Motors, both of Japan, SML Isuzu has grown as a major market player in India and is expanding its base in the international markets as well.
Growth drivers
SML Isuzu is a well-established automobile brand in India where as Mazda Motors and Isuzu Motors, are major automobile brands which are world renowned. This know-how has worked as a catalyst to expand our business in the global markets by building a level of trust in the minds of our customers whether in India or abroad.
In India we are a major player in buses, especially school buses and LCV market and this reputation has also opened many avenues of business for us for the export.
Plans for 2017-18
We are looking forward to expand our product offering mix in the existing countries of export, in order to improve market share and export turnover. We are geared up to provide product which are appropriate for those countries.
We are looking for new partners in the African Markets as well to expand our customer base for exports.