New 8 lt. engine from VECV joint venture showcases the localisation strategy; Ready to meet to BSIV emission norms
Volvo Buses today unveiled its New Intercity Coach Range at the Busworld 2016 in Bengaluru today. The New Volvo 9400 range signifies Volvo’s preparedness in meeting changing customer requirements, passenger aspirations and developing regulatory scenario in India. The range includes the Volvo 9400, 12.0m coach with the New 8 lt. engine sourced from VECV’s Pithampur facility manifesting the company’s earlier stated localisation strategy. The best-selling Volvo 9400, 13.8m multi-axle coach gets a boost with the engine being upgraded from 9lt. to 11lt. to meet BSIV emission norms. The 11lt. engine in the Volvo 9400, 14.5m coach is upgraded to meet the upcoming BSIV emission regulations, besides improvements for enhanced performance.
The New Coach Range unveil coincides with completion of Volvo Buses’ 15 years journey in India. Over the years Volvo has established itself as the leader in the Indian bus industry. The company has achieved this by strengthening its commitment to the success of its customers. Volvo takes pride by becoming the “partner of choice” for its customers and other key stakeholders. The New Range addresses the evolving requirements of our customers and drivers, as well as aspirations of passengers. The products represent Volvo Buses’ commitment to offer solutions that meet the highest standards of quality, comfort, luxury, safety and performance.
Volvo Buses had earlier stated its plans to source engines from the VECV joint venture. The New 8 litre engine showcased at Busworld is evidence of the efforts made towards localisation of key aggregates. As such, the bus body in all Volvo buses manufactured in India are 100 percent localised. The launch of this engine also highlights Volvo Buses’ capability to leverage the local manufacturing competence to meet the market potential. The engines in the new range comply with BSIV emission norms that come into effect in April 2017.
Hakan Agnevall, President, Volvo Bus Corporation said, “Volvo Buses has always positioned itself to provide products that deliver the right value to our customers. The new engine range is a good example India’s role in our global plans. The way forward for us is to offer in India the latest solutions that can provide the finest ownership experience to the operators.”
Akash Passey, Senior Vice President – Business Region International, Volvo Bus Corporation said, “Our journey in India over the last 15 years has helped create awareness and acceptability towards bus travel among people. The bus transport business and the bus manufacturing industry have undergone a sea change since we launched our first product. We take pride in being acknowledged as a catalyst to this transformation. Volvo Buses will continue to take initiatives to make a difference to our customers, which is our commitment to the market.”
Volvo has sold more than 6000 buses in India, which includes 4,500 coaches that are helping connect 100-plus locations across India. The Trust for Volvo among scores of passengers is based on their experience of a safe, comfortable and luxurious journey – an experience that redefined bus travel. Key routes like Mumbai-Pune, Bangalore-Chennai, Bangalore-Hyderabad, Bangalore-Jodhpur, Jaipur-Delhi, Mumbai-Ahemdabad, Hyderabad-Mumbai, to name a few have become synonymous with Volvo services on these roads.
VRV Sriprasad, Managing Director – South Asia, Volvo Buses said, “Volvo Buses has always taken the lead in introducing new technologies and concepts. We work closely with our customers and this is reflected in our products and services that help ‘create value’. The New Range aims to redefine intercity travel in terms of luxury, comfort and safety. We reaffirm our commitment to impart the best bus travel experience to our customers, drivers and passengers.”
At Volvo Buses, a coach is not just a vehicle. It is considered as a production unit in the operator’s business that can increase customer revenue and improve the efficiency. There is growing demand for adopting intercity buses as efficient and safe means of mobility. Volvo is responding to this evolving scenario and with the new Volvo 9400 range customers can cover all their needs as well as that of passengers.
The New Range will be manufactured at Volvo Buses’ modern facility near Hosakote, Bengaluru. From assembly of chassis to roll out of complete buses, this facility follows Volvo Bus Production Systems that are implemented in all Volvo manufacturing sites across the world. It involves people, method, management & material – key to efficient working, enhanced quality and safer work environment.
Volvo Buses product range for India also includes the Volvo 8400 city bus, 1500 units of which are operating in 34 locations in the country. In early 2016, the company also unveiled the Volvo 8400 hybrid city bus – India’s first hybrid bus to be certified and delivered to Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT). The first two units of these buses are in operations in the Navi Mumbai-Mumbai-Thane region on the megacity.
About Volvo Buses in India
Volvo Buses has been in India since 2001 and has built a leading experience when it comes to high-performing bus applications. Volvo Buses has been driving the change in the industry introducing various firsts in India – including the true-bus chassis concept; the low-floor city bus concept; multi-axle coaches; among a host of other technologies & solutions. With its state-of-the-art factory and overall profile of being a complete transport solutions provider, Volvo Buses is closely entwined with the progress in the Bus Industry.
Nearly 6,000 Volvo buses are operating on Indian roads providing the best travel experience in terms of safety, luxury and comfort to people. Volvo coaches today connect 100 locations across India, while 1,500 Volvo City Buses currently operate in 34 cities in the country. These products have played a key role in Driving Quality of Life for millions of people. Volvo Buses is now ready for the next stage of evolution of the bus industry in India. The Volvo Hybrid City Bus is evidence of our continued commitment to the country and all our stakeholders. Volvo Buses is future ready.