Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles today launched a new family of trucks in the Eicher Pro 1000 and Pro 3000 series in the light and medium category and expects to roll out a wide range of trucks and buses during the year.

Some of the models in the medium, heavy truck category and buses are expected to be introduced within a couple of months.

The Volvo Group and Eicher Motors joint venture, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, expects to increase the market share further with a slew of launches enabling the company to consolidate its share in some segments and significantly improve in others where it is set to enter, Shyam Maller, Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, VE Commercial Vehicles, said.

Addressing a press conference here today after unveiling the two trucks, Maller said: “The venture, which was formed in 2008, is now looking at totally revamping its product portfolio spanning light, medium and heavy trucks and new generation buses. All of them will be part of the company's drive to come out with Eicher Pro 1000, 3000, 6000 and 8000 series spanning 5 to 49 tonners, the latter for heavy duty applications.”

Product renewal

Maller said that the venture is in the process of complete product renewal replacing the existing models with the PRO series right from 5 to 49 tonnes and the bus segment. It brings the best of technology and reliability from Volvo AB and frugal engineering of Eicher Motors. These trucks will bring about big change in the market place with their features and reliability.

“Eicher had a market share of about 7.8 per cent in 2008 and this has steadily gone up to 13.8 per cent in 2013. Given the roll-out of the new range and our ability to address a much larger segment, we are looking to increase the sales by at least 5 per cent this year over last year’s 44,000, in spite of tough business and market conditions,” the Eicher official said.

Mining ban

Sales of heavy duty category trucks were impacted by the apex court imposing mining ban. “With the recent move to revive mining in Goa and hopefully in other parts of the country, we expect the demand will go up. The industry has seen de-growth in the first five months and is keenly looking at the market revival post the formation of new Government and improved sentiment,” he felt.

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