Japan’s Isuzu to shift heavy-duty truck production to Ageo Plant

Core Viewpoint - Isuzu Motors is relocating heavy-duty truck production from Fujisawa to Ageo as part of a domestic manufacturing reorganization to enhance efficiency and capacity in preparation for the 2028 launch of a new medium heavy-duty truck platform with UD Trucks [1][2][5] Group 1: Production Relocation - The production transfer is set to begin in June 2026, with full operations at the Ageo site expected to start in 2028 [1] - The Ageo Plant will become the primary manufacturing base for heavy-duty trucks, while the Fujisawa Plant will focus on medium- and light-duty models [2] Group 2: Investment and Capacity - Isuzu plans to invest approximately Y40 billion ($260.64 million) in the transition, which includes building a new paint shop and upgrading existing facilities [1][3] - The annual production capacity at Ageo is projected to reach about 25,000 units, transitioning from a single-shift to a two-shift operation [2] Group 3: Employment and Facility Details - As of March 31, 2025, the Fujisawa Plant employs 6,004 people and spans 1,013,648 square meters, with a total floor space of 660,503 square meters [3] - The Ageo Plant, operated by UD Trucks Corporation, employs 2,084 people and covers 419,723 square meters, with a total floor area of 275,560 square meters [4] Group 4: Strategic Goals - The reorganization is part of Isuzu's mid-term plan, "ISUZU Transformation – Growth to 2030," which aims for sales of over 850,000 new vehicles and revenues exceeding Y5 trillion by fiscal 2030 [4][5] - The plan includes developing a supply chain capable of supporting one million units and leveraging technologies from the Volvo Group for the joint development of the medium heavy-duty truck platform [5]