Isuzu Commercial Truck of America announced that Isuzu Motors Limited was resuming production at its Fujisawa plant on April 5. The factory had been idled since the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11.

The Fujisawa plant manufactures N-Series trucks, diesel engines and components for the North American market, as well as commercial vehicles and parts for markets worldwide. The facility opened in January 1962.

All operations were halted at the factory until March 28, when testing of production equipment began, using vehicles already in the production process. Ryozo Tsukioka, executive vice president and director of Isuzu Motors Limited, said that equipment was normal and trial production will proceed as planned.

Production at Fujisawa will build gradually to normal levels because parts supply and the availability of electricity remain inconsistent. As a result, Isuzu will announce a timetable for a return to full production at a later date.