OREANDA-NEWS. The official ceremony to launch the full-cycle production of ISUZU (Japan) commercial vehicles in Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant has been held on April 4. The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev.

SOLLERS-ISUZU, the first Russian-Japanese joint venture, organized the full-scale production of ISUZU trucks in Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, which involves welding, assembly, and painting of vehicles. The design capacity of the plant is 5,000 vehicles per year.

Currently, five models of ISUZU ELF series vehicles with loading capacity ranging from 1.5 to 6.5 tons are produced in Russia. These vehicles feature the most advanced design solutions and digital technology, which ensures maximum safety and comfort for the driver. The maneuverability of compact ISUZU ELF vehicles makes them indispensable in heavy city traffic with frequent parkings along with loading and unloading, as well as for suburban transportation. The all-purpose frame of vehicles allows installing any type of body superstructure - from drop-side bodies and vans up to double-decker tow trucks and tank trucks, as well as garbage removal trucks of various types.

Also in 2014, another two models of ISUZU FORWARD series medium-duty trucks with loading capacity from 8 to 12.5 tons are scheduled for production in Ulyanovsk. The vehicles in this series feature higher maneuverability and handling, just like the light trucks, while possessing an impressive loading capacity and variability in potential use. With its comfortable cabin featuring a spacious berth, ISUZU FORWARD is an ideal choice for suburban and long-distance transportation.

Overall in 2014, the plant is scheduled to produce 2,544 vehicles, including 2,340 with ELF series chassis and 204 with FORWARD series chassis.

Speaking at the production launch ceremony Niijima Yasuyuki, Senior Vice President - International Projects, ISUZU Motors, said that in his opinion the Russian market is one of the most interesting and promising in the world. He said: "Going to a full-cycle production of ISUZU vehicles is not only a new stage in the development of our joint venture that provides the opportunity for further expansion of production and implementation of really ambitious and promising projects. For us, it is also a key performance indicator of investments and joint efforts".

Vadim Shvetsov, General Director, SOLLERS OJSC, said: "Once again, SOLLERS-ISUZU has become a pioneer in the Russian market - this time, it was the first company to localize the full technology for production of foreign truck models in Russia. This step will allow us to develop and produce new versions of vehicles designed specifically for the Russian market, and will help take a leading position in the segment of light and medium-duty commercial vehicles".