Kenya’s President H.E William Samoei Ruto has today officially launched Isuzu East Africa’s multimillion-dollar Electro-Deposition Paint Plant aimed at increasing the assembly capacity for the local automotive industry. The Paint Plant has increased Isuzu’s production capacity by more than 60% from 11,000 vehicles to 18,000 vehicles per year.
According to Isuzu East Africa’s Managing Director, Rita Kavashe the unveiling of the ultra-modern Electro-Deposition Paint technology is the first in Sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa. “Electro-Deposition is a method of painting that uses electric current to ensure that paint reaches all surfaces of a vehicle giving it an ultra-smooth finish. With the launch of the ED Plant our production capacity today moves from 11,000 units to 18,000 units per year. The Isuzu Electro-Deposition Paint Plant will also be available to other auto manufacturers including motorcycle and three-wheeler assemblers,” she explained.
The Isuzu EA Managing Director lauded the Government’s vehicle leasing program, Buy Kenya Build Kenya initiative and the revised assembly regulations for being instrumental in nearly doubling vehicle production in Kenya. This has moved the industry from 7,000 units to 12,000 units per annum in just 4 years, while creating 10,000 jobs across the Isuzu EA value chain. “The full implementation of KS1515 Standard will be a game changer for the automotive industry, doubling production of commercial vehicles from 12,000 per annum to 24,000 in two years creating an additional 10,000 jobs,” said Kavashe.
Over the last five years, Isuzu EA has invested Kshs. 3 billion in its facility upgrades consisting of a Dynamic Test Center, Water Leak Test Booth, a new pickup assembly line including the Electro-Deposition Paint Plant launched today. These investments are geared to prepare Isuzu EA to play a significant role in the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Going forward, Isuzu EA will continue to strengthen and tailor local production to meet their customers’ needs, further contributing to the development of the automotive industry in Africa.