A leader in commercial vehicles and diesel engines, Japanese automobile maker Isuzu Motors is not much bothered by the SC decision extending ban on registration of diesel vehicles with engine capacity of over 2000 cc in the Delhi-NCR, as the company has 1.9 litre engine in its stable and depending upon the decision on 30th April, they will explore the option.
“Banning old diesel vehicle make sense as they are supposed to pollute more but banning sale of new diesel vehicle does not make sense,” said Isuzu Motors India Deputy Managing Director Hitoshi Kono.
The off-roader utility vehicle D-Max V-Cross is powered by a 2.5 litre diesel engine churning out 134 bhp and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
He also lamented frequent change of goalpost by the Government and said when any company decides to invest, it expects a firm policy and clear directions. Still, he clarified that that they will not get into production of petrol engines as they still consider diesel is better fuel.
Kono said that they, like other vehicle maker, are also waiting for the Supreme Cout’s hearing on 30 April on the same issue, post which they will take any position
looking confident Kono said: “We have a very strong product line up as regards engine. The company starts from a 1.9 litre engine till 16 litre engine.”
In a way, he indicated that the company does not bother much about ban of 2000 cc diesel vehicle in Delhi-NCR and depending upon the situation they can change their engine capacity likewiswe.
The company also plans to launch different variants of D-Max V-Cross in the next 8 to 10 months while it said Isuzu could touch 50,000 prodction capacity mark in the next 3 years at SriCity plant.
“In the current market we cannot aim that 50,000 figure. In the next two to three years we have to open up new markets. We hope that we can reach 50,000 mark in the next three years. We cannot exactly say when we are going to reach 1,20,000 units. We are still in the start up phase,” said Isuzu Motors India Managing Director Naohiro Yamaguchi.
While clarifying company’s position on production of MU7 vehicle in the SriCity plant, he said that contract manufacturing of its SUV (MU7) will continue with Hindustan Motors Chennai and added that the company has sold close to 3,000 vehicle so far during the last two years.
“As the company has now understood the nuances of Indian customers, it will be launching different variants of D-Max V-Cross in the next 8 to 10 months,” said a senior official of the company.
The V-Cross is the second generation of the company’s D-Max pick-up trucks. It is being sold in Europe, Australia, Thailand and South America. Just like the other products from the Japanese manufacturer, it is tough and durable. It is available in various 4X4 and 4X2 configurations, with a combination of Crew Cab or Single Cab, High Ride or Normal Ride and Flat deck or arch-deck load body styles. You can also have it as a Cab-chassis.