Isuzu Motors Ltd. and Sojitz Corp. said they have opened a new plant in central Russia to manufacture Isuzu’s Elf truck.

The plant, located in Elabuga of Tatarstan, was established jointly by Isuzu, Sojitz and Russian automaker OAO Severstal Avto.

It will start operating in August, initially set to build 10,000 units a year.

Sales of Isuzu trucks in Russia are expected to shoot up to 8,000 units in 2008 from 2,500 units the previous year.

The Elabuga plant’s capacity was earlier set to be 5,000 units, but it has been expanded to 25,000 units in response to the strong sales growth.

There could be a further increase in the capacity in the future, Isuzu officials said.