K (Cambodia) Co Ltd on March 29 officially inaugurated an Isuzu vehicle assembly plant in eastern Kampong Speu province, in response to growing demand and in a bid to expand the brand’s presence in Cambodia.
This is the latest in a recent series of inaugurations of such factories in the Kingdom, which includes the likes of RMA (Cambodia) Plc – the exclusive distributor of Ford models in the Kingdom – which in June opened a $21 million vehicle assembly plant in Pursat province.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, K Cambodia vice-head Huy Chea recalled that his company started business in December 2009 – 10 months after its incorporation – and has imported the Isuzu D-Max, MU-X and other models.
K Cambodia is the sole firm authorised by Japan’s Isuzu Motors Ltd to import CKD (complete knock-down) parts for the assembly and distribution of Isuzu vehicles in the Kingdom, he noted.
“To ensure and maintain high quality – according to the standards of Japan’s Isuzu – specialists and technical workers have been directly trained on how to assemble the vehicles and implement quality control at every stage,” he said, adding that each unit will be inspected by Japanese specialists before heading to market.
“This investment reflects the company’s commitment to its long-term vision for the Cambodian market,” Chea stated.
The Ministry of Commerce’s business registry lists “Huy Chea”, “Kiasrithanakorn Ben” and “Kiasrithanakorn Khanchai” as officers of the company, the last of which is identified as the highest-ranking of the three.
Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) secretary-general Sok Chenda Sophea presided over the inauguration ceremony for the plant, located along National Road 4 in Sangkruoh Cheat village, Trapaing Kong commune, Samrong Tong district.
Chenda Sophea remarked that the decision to invest in the facility is indicative of the company’s trust in the government in maintaining peace as well as political and macroeconomic stability, according to a CDC press release.
Its location underscores the success of a policy that encourages factories to be set up in the provinces, he said, adding that “about 60 per cent” of the investment projects registered with the CDC were located outside of Phnom Penh and Kandal province in the “last three years”.
Isuzu joins the growing list of vehicle-makes assembled in the Kingdom, which Chenda Sophea pointed out includes Dongfeng, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Ssangyong, Soueast and Toyota.
This, he said, “confirms the strong belief” in the potential of the Cambodian markets, which is growing in line with economic growth and the living standards of the people.
