Isuzu to increase local content

JAKARTA: Isuzu Motors of Japan, together with a local Indonesian partner, will build a casting plant in an effort to help lift local content of the Panther.

The plant will produce material for cylinder blocks and heads with monthly production reaching about 500 tons when it starts operation in the first quarter next year.

Isuzu -- which will have a 49 percent stake in the joint venture -- will be the second Japanese carmaker to set up such a facility in Indonesia following Toyota.

Both companies are in partnership with Astra International producing vehicles here.