Japanese car manufacturer Isuzu is planning to assemble its D-Max pickup trucks in Ukraine to respond to its demand for more military vehicles in the war with Russia.
Ataman Enterprises supervisory board chairman Oleksandr Dorosh revealed that the Ataman bus plant in Cherkasy will host the company as it assembles the vehicles needed by Kyiv.
Dorosh added that the plant will employ an additional 60 staff to bolster its current 400-strong workforce, ensuring the stability of Isuzu’s assembly line.
Armored Truck
The D-Max is a fast-moving mid-size armored truck that can be mounted with heavy machine guns and mortars and maneuver through narrow pathways and uneven roads.
The Cherkasy pickups are fitted with 1.9-liter turbo-diesel engines that can generate up to 163 horsepower, allowing them to travel up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour.
D-Max for Security
Isuzu’s D-Max has been used by several countries as a military and national security capability.
In the Philippines, the Philippine Army developed a light infantry troop carrier based on the pickup. It was also used as the security detail for the Presidential Security Group.
In 2021, the National Police of Ukraine also received a specialized batch for patrols equipped with acoustic signals, protected cargo compartments, and a radio system.
