Isuzu opens Saudi plant

Isuzu Motors wants to produce 25,000 trucks Dammam - Arabstoday Japanese company Isuzu Motors has opened a new manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. An inauguration ceremony, attended by 200 people, was held at the new site in Dammam. The project which cost $133m, will see staggered development in production, with Isuzu hoping to produce up to 25,000 trucks a year. In a statement, the company said it plans to produce 600 trucks in the first year, starting with the medium-duty truck Forward, and then extend the production to heavy and light-duty trucks. "Isuzu estimates production of 25,000 trucks a year in the future, considering the possibility of exporting those trucks to the Gulf countries," the statement confirmed. Isuzu sold 11,000 commercial vehicles in Saudi Arabia in 2011, and estimates sales of 14,000 commercial vehicles in 2012. "Isuzu Motors will continue to strengthen businesses in the Middle East region by providing them with products and services best suitable for their needs, as well as the businesses of After-Sales Center (ASC) in Dubai which already started its operation," the statement added.