How Isuzu is adapting to localisation and regulatory changes across ASEAN
On the Red Sofa at ALSC ASEAN 2026, Isuzu Motors Asia's Maung Ye Lay discussed how the company is adapting to the shifting regulatory landscape and an increased focus on localisation in Southeast Asia.
One of the key topics discussed throughout the ALSC ASEAN 2026 conference was recent shifts in demand and policy across the region. Speaking with Automotive Logistics at the event, Maung Ye Lay, general manager of aftersales parts regional SCM at Isuzu Motors Asia, shared how the OEM is adapting its service parts operation to keep up with these sudden shifts.
Maung Ye Lay noted that the ASEAN region as a whole is unifying flow in and out at a regional level, but said that on the ground within the region, trade is becoming more complex and increasingly regulated.
"Many countries are increasingly introducing import regulations, for safety reasons, quality reasons and domestic economic reasons," he said. "But this also increases the need to engage with local partners who have direct access and connection with local production and logistics."
He shared that the rapid rate at which these policies and regulations are being introduced in ASEAN makes staying on top of the changes and responding accordingly a challenge.
"But on the other hand, when your operations and operational teams are flexible, the business can adapt faster," he added. "That's for sure."
Localisation in ASEAN
With pressure for more local production and supply chains in ASEAN's automotive sector, Maung Ye Lay acknowledged the need for such a transition but acknowledged that "realistically, not all OEMs or even tier ones can partner with local firms immediately in just a couple of months".
However, he said that many companies have already started to make headway in this direction, including Isuzu – which has begun to engage with multinational corporations (MNCs) that have local connection in both production and logistics.
Collaboration and commitment
Emphasising the benefits of collaborative partnerships, Maung Ye Lay encouraged shared commitments between partners over the course of three to five years, to ensure that both parties are working together towards shared goals and can see the bigger picture.
He said that such commitments should cover the likes of investments and sales plans in order to encourage a partner to actively engage in open communication and allocate the necessary resources to enable faster decision making.
"From there, we can move on to information sharing," he added.
Watch the full Red Sofa interview to hear all about Isuzu's strategies for localisation and deeper partnerships while improving agility in the face of changing demands and regulations in ASEAN.
