Isuzu Breaks Ground on $280 Million Production Facility in South Carolina

Isuzu North America Corporation has officially broken ground on a new state-of-the-art production facility in Piedmont, Greenville County, marking a major expansion of the automaker’s U.S. manufacturing footprint. The $280 million project is expected to strengthen Isuzu’s long-term commitment to North America while supporting the growing demand for both conventional and electric commercial vehicles.

The new facility, located at 7755 Augusta Road, will undergo a significant build-out and expansion of an existing 1 million-square-foot structure. Designed and built in partnership with Gray Construction, the plant is set to be one of Isuzu’s most advanced globally, featuring a variable-model, variable-volume production system. This flexible approach will allow the company to produce gasoline, diesel, and electric-powered trucks on the same line — a first for any Isuzu facility.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2027, with production capacity projected to reach 50,000 vehicles annually by 2030. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to employ more than 700 people by 2028.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, attended by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Isuzu Chairman Masanori Katayama, and Isuzu North America CEO Noboru Murakami, company leaders emphasized their vision to build not just a factory, but a lasting partnership with the local community. As part of the event, Katayama and Governor McMaster planted cherry trees on the site, symbolizing friendship and growth.

“Working with Isuzu on this landmark facility is an incredible opportunity,” said Drew Romans, Vice President of Manufacturing at Gray. “Isuzu sets the standard for quality and innovation, and Gray is proud to bring decades of design-build experience to support their growth in the U.S.”

New production line design

The facility will introduce a new production line design that eliminates traditional conveyors and pits in favor of highly automated, scalable systems that improve flexibility. This innovation reflects Isuzu’s strategy to prepare for the industry’s rapid electrification while continuing to support its established diesel and gasoline vehicle markets.

Isuzu has been serving the U.S. market since 1984 and now works with more than 300 dealers across North America. The new South Carolina plant represents the company’s largest U.S. manufacturing investment to date and underscores the importance of the region in Isuzu’s global operations.

Isuzu is ramping up its U.S. investments in response to rising tariffs—and it’s not the only one. South Korea’s Samsung is expanding its American footprint under similar trade pressures, while India’s Lupin recently announced plans for a major pharmaceutical facility in Florida. Meanwhile, Swiss flavor and fragrance giant Givaudan has broken ground on a $215 million state-of-the-art production plant in Reading, Ohio, further underscoring the wave of foreign-led manufacturing growth across the United States.

Isuzu Breaks Ground on $280 Million Production Facility in South Carolina

Isuzu South Carolina Production Plant – Project Factsheet

Location: Greenville County, South Carolina

1-million-square-foot building

200+ acres of land

Investment: $280 million

Land acquisition

Building renovation

Equipment and tooling

Production Capacity:

Annual target: 50,000 vehicles by 2030

Vehicle types: N-Series Gas, N-Series Electric, F-Series Diesel trucks

Total workforce: 700+ employees

Timeline for Isuzu’s new South Carolina Production Plant

Initial production: 2027

Expansion phase: 2028

Facility Features:

Dual production capability (ICE and EV)

No traditional conveyors or pits

Automated quality control systems

Image-based inspection

Traceable parts tracking

Isuzu South Carolina Production Plant Strategic Location

Access to I-85 (Atlanta/Charlotte routes)

Access to I-26 (Port of Charleston connection)

Next to the East Coast’s deepest seaport

The plant will boast a best-in-the-world assembly line with the ability to produce both traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles.

The company is investing $280 million in land, building, equipment, and tooling to underpin the facility. The plant will have the capacity to make 50,000 vehicles a year by 2030, starting with the Isuzu N-Series Gas, N-Series Electric, and F-Series Diesel trucks. The plant will start making vehicles initially in 2027, and the second phase is scheduled for 2028. The facility, when running at full capacity, will have over 700 workers.

Noboru Murakami, President of Isuzu North America Corporation, emphasized the importance of the new South Carolina factory, stating, “Having an Isuzu-owned and operated plant in the U.S. is evidence of our long-term commitment to the North American market. This plant will optimize our operations, enhance our ability to weather market cycles, and enable future growth.”

South Carolina is among the top automobile manufacturing hubs, with titans like BMW propelling Greenville’s economy since the early 1990s. The addition of Isuzu’s new manufacturing facility will further cement the state’s image as a car manufacturing giant.