In July Japanese Auto maker Isuzu stated its desire to enter Indian auto market and now it is confirmed that it is planning to introduce MU-7 on Indian roads. Isuzu’s MU-7 SUV was spotted during a test run in Pune. MU-7 is a 7-seater SUV that inherits D-Max truck’s chassis. Currently the SUV is being powered by a 3.0 litre turbo charged diesel engine that churns out maximum power of about 146 bhp and about 249 Nm of torque.
The SUV comes in both 4×2 and 4×4 variants and is quite popular in Japanese market. But the main question still remains the same, how it will be introduced in Indian market? During the rising trend of SUVs in India, several international players have jumped in cash out some profit. Although Isuzu is not new in India is still quite not popular here. Isuzu supplies diesel engine in collaboration with Swaraj-Mazada. Since the JV mainly deals with trade of technology the Isuzu is not a quite well known car brand in India.
It will need some serious campaign planning from Isuzu to establish itself as an automaker in Indian market before it can even think of giving some serious competition to the market leaders in the segment. From the sources, it is evident that Isuzu is planning to import MU-7 from Thailand and assemble it at the HM plant in Chennai. Further Isuzu is also planning to set up its own facility by 2015. The cost of the plant is expected to get around Rs. 1000 crores. Hopefully we will be able to witness the MU-7 in the Indian Market by early or mid 2013.
