Isuzu to use Chinese-made parts

JAPAN'S Isuzu Motors says it plans to import parts for lorry engines made at its plant in China, making it the first Japanese car-maker to import a significant vehicle component from the mainland.

Isuzu spokesman Kazuhiko Tanimoto said the company had plans to import parts such as cylinder heads and cylinder blocks from Chongqing Qingling Casting Co in Sichuan province.

'The schedule has not been determined,' he said.

Mr Tanimoto said 'the problem of cost' had prompted the company to import parts from China, but he would not say the savings of the plan.

Most of Isuzu's engines are still made in Japan, although the company began to experiment with Brazil as a low-cost production base for vehicle parts several years ago.

Mr Tanimoto said the company had confidence in the quality of Isuzu parts made in Chongqing.