Isuzu Russia Faces Unconfirmed Closure Amid Ongoing Uncertainty in Ulyanovsk
The Isuzu representative office in Russia has not confirmed reports that the company plans to close its operations in the Ulyanovsk region. Earlier headlines suggested a halt in production within the Russian Federation, raising questions about the fate of the local plant, which has been active since 2006. Historically, the facility produced truck chassis ranging from 3.5 to 33 tons gross weight and D-Max pickups. In March 2022, the plant temporarily ceased operations due to difficulties in securing parts.
According to the press service, the assembly plant is currently shut down and employees are being paid in line with applicable labor laws. Despite the factory’s pause, the distributor’s warehouse holds assembled chassis and complete vehicles ready for shipment to both dealerships and end customers. This suggests a level of inventory resilience even as production remains on hold.
In 2021, the Ulyanovsk site rolled out 3.7 thousand vehicles, and there were plans to lift production by about one half in 2022. The company notes that after deliveries were suspended, the team managed to assemble more than a thousand chassis using the stock that had already been accumulated. To date, the factory is officially idle, with workers receiving roughly two-thirds of their salaries. Company leaders are actively pursuing measures to maintain a presence in Russia and preserve current operations, according to a cited source.
Context around the broader market shows that other automotive brands have faced similar disruptions. While Isuzu continues to communicate its position, some peers, such as Toyota and Mazda, have shut down their Russian manufacturing facilities. The evolving situation highlights the broader challenges confronting the Russian auto industry and the strategic decisions manufacturers must make in response to supply chain constraints and regional market conditions.
Note: The information above reflects statements circulated by company channels and industry observers. Readers seeking the latest developments should follow official press releases from Isuzu and related distributors, as well as reputable industry coverage for updates on production status and regional operations.