Isuzu Motors is overhauling a 1 million-square-foot facility it recently purchased in Greenville County in South Carolina to enable the production of gas-powered, battery-electric and diesel trucks under a new flexible manufacturing system.
The modernization effort will consolidate all production operations into one location, enhancing efficiency and positioning Isuzu for growth in the North American commercial vehicle market.
Isuzu said its expected total investment in the plant will be $280 million.
The upgraded facility, spanning more than 200 acres, will allow Isuzu to optimize assembly, logistics and vehicle storage while introducing a variable-model, variable-volume production system. This approach enables the automaker to swiftly adapt to changing customer demand for internal combustion engine and electric vehicles, ensuring cost-effective and efficient production.
To further improve quality control, Isuzu will implement a conveyor-free production line -- an industry-first for the company -- along with automated inspection technology designed to eliminate errors, ensure parts traceability and prevent defective units from leaving the facility.
Isuzu also aims to increase its procurement of EV components and invest in automotive technology research and development. This initiative aligns with the automaker’s broader global strategy, introduced in April 2024, to expand its commercial mobility solutions, including autonomous driving, connected services and carbon-neutral technologies.
The facility will also play a key role in Isuzu’s recently announced partnership with software supplier Applied Intuition. Under a five-year agreement, the two companies are collaborating to develop Level 4 autonomous commercial trucks, with plans to launch the vehicles in Japan and North America by fiscal year 2028.
With North America serving as the launch region for its battery-powered EV business, Isuzu is reinforcing its commitment to the future of commercial transportation through innovation, sustainability and adaptability.
