BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28
By Fakhri Vakilov-Trend:
Starting from January 2020, sales of the first locally produced pickup truck will begin in the country, Trend reports citing Uzbek media.
SamAuto Samarkand automobile plant presented the first Isuzu D-Max pickup truck, which is to be manufactured at the enterprise, in Tashkent.
The concept of “universal design” is implemented in the car, which makes it equally convenient for transporting people and goods.
Isuzu D-Max, in accordance with Japanese standards, has a high-strength steel cabin, an energy-absorbing front, side shock-absorbing trims and airbags.
The vehicle will be available on the Uzbek market in three versions: D-Max Sahar (single-row cabin, two passenger seats, 2.5-liter engine and manual gearbox), D-Max Oksus (two-row cabin, four passenger seats, 2.5-liter engine and a manual transmission), and D-Max Irbis (two-row cabin, four passenger seats, 3-liter engine and an automatic transmission).
The pick-up capacity of the pickup truck is 865-1100 kg, and the price will range from $28,400-$40,000.
The colors of the pickup are represented by white, silver metallic, gray metallic, obsidian gray, black, blue and red.
"The second generation of Isuzu D-Max modifications of 2017 was chosen for production in Uzbekistan. Pickups run on diesel fuel, so they are environmentally friendly and economical in consumption," said Deputy General Director of Samarkand Automobile Plant Husen Kobilov.
Isuzu D-Max is manufactured worldwide by the Japanese company Isuzu Motors since 2002.
Director of Strategic Planning and Marketing Department of SamAuto Munizkhon Israilova said that the pick-up production project in Uzbekistan originated in 2015 after meetings between the heads of state of Uzbekistan and Japan.
Israilova added that according to statistics from the global automotive industry, the best-selling type of car is a pickup truck (SUV segment).
At the initial stage, Isuzu D-Max will be assembled using the semi-knocked down (SKD) assembly method, while components to Uzbekistan are delivered from Thailand. The possibility of switching to complete knock-down assembly (CKD), based on demand in local and foreign markets, is being considered.
According to Israilova, it is tentatively planned to produce 500 units of cars a year, and the volume will grow in case of a higher demand.
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