Isuzu Motors Ltd.'s group revenues from overseas operations are expected to reach 80 percent of its overall revenues by the end of fiscal 2007, Isuzu President Yoshinori Ida said in a recent interview with Kyodo News.
"Given the market conditions surrounding the company, the ratio of the group's overseas revenues is most likely to rise in the future, although the company does not place less emphasis on domestic operations," Ida said.
By strengthening its business relations with General Motors Corp., Isuzu will first accelerate production and sales in the booming Chinese market and Southeast Asia, followed by the Russian and Indian markets, he said. GM holds a 12 percent stake in Isuzu.
Isuzu group's ratio of overseas revenues reached a record 72 percent in fiscal 2001, the highest among Japan's four leading truck manufacturers. The three others are Hino Motors Ltd., Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp., and Nissan Diesel Motor Co.
The ratio is expected to drop to about 60 percent by the March 31 end of the current fiscal year because of robust domestic sales due to tighter diesel engine emission regulations that took effect in the Tokyo metropolitan area Oct. 1.
But the ratio is expected to turn higher in fiscal 2004 and beyond, Ida said.
