South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) has handled the first container of production equipment for Isuzu North America Corporation’s new manufacturing facility, marking a key milestone in the automaker’s plans to expand its US production operations.
The container arrived at the Port of Charleston before being transported by rail to Inland Port Greer. The movement highlights the role of South Carolina’s port and rail network in supporting industrial investment and automotive supply chains.
Isuzu selected Greenville County in 2025 for its new US production base, partly because of the reliable rail connection between the Port of Charleston and Inland Port Greer. The company plans to begin manufacturing operations in 2027.
The new facility is expected to produce Isuzu’s N-Series Gas, N-Series Electric and F-Series Diesel trucks, strengthening the company’s manufacturing presence in the United States.
Inland Port Greer provides an important intermodal link between Charleston and industrial centres across the southeastern US. Located along the Interstate 85 corridor between Atlanta and Charlotte, the facility offers overnight rail services through Norfolk Southern six days a week and round-the-clock gate access.
SC Ports completed a $55 million expansion of Inland Port Greer in 2025, adding 9,000 feet of rail infrastructure and increasing cargo-handling capacity by 50%. The terminal can now accommodate up to 300,000 rail lifts annually.
The inland port recorded 355% growth during its first decade of operations, reflecting increasing demand for efficient rail-connected freight facilities.
SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace welcomed the first Isuzu shipment, highlighting the importance of reliable intermodal connections in supporting manufacturers and their supply-chain requirements.
The development also reinforces South Carolina’s position in automotive logistics. SC Ports handles approximately 10% of containerised automotive cargo volumes in the US, according to PIERS data.
The first shipment represents an early step towards establishing Isuzu’s production operations in South Carolina, with the Charleston–Greer connection expected to support the movement of manufacturing equipment and components as the facility prepares to begin production.