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Volvo Buses will export 100 ‘completely built in India’ buses annually to European countries.
Volvo Bus Corporation, the Swedish bus maker, plans to utilise its Indian manufacturing base at Hoskote near Bengaluru for exports.
“We plan to use India as an export hub for developed markets like Europe. The first-bus made in the Indian facility will be unveiled shortly in Europe,” said Hakan Agnevall, President, Volvo Buses.
Akash Passey, Senior Vice-President Business Region International, Volvo Buses, said: “Exports will begin by end of this month. Parent company looking at the potential of the existing manufacturing capacity, component supplier base and the low-cost manpower has decided to export buses to European market.”
At present, 5,000 Volvo Buses are operating in the country and 1,400 Volvo City Buses are operating in 25 cities in India. The company’s inter-city coaches and city buses from the Indian factory are exported to SAARC countries and South Africa.
Volvo India set up during 1996-98 for manufacturing trucks and buses with an investment of ₹900 crore and currently employs 2,076 persons. The company is shortly to take up expansion of its Hoskote unit with an additional investment of ₹974 crore, which will generate employment opportunities for another 2,125 persons.
Agnevall called on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and informed him that for the first time company will be exporting nearly 100 buses in a year to European countries.
Make in India for global markets
The Indian facility is a complete bus manufacturing unit, which includes chassis in-house, full-fledged proto-shop for development of new products and technologies, and Skill Development Centre to impart training to personnel.
The company follows global production systems and processes to deliver products like in all other Volvo manufacturing sites across the world.
Passey said: “The ‘India made’ buses will help us get an entry in the inter-city bus segment in Europe and compete with Daimler, IVECO and several local bus companies. The current market for Europe is around 5,000 buses.”
Once full-fledged exports commence, the company is planning to get ‘Star Trading House’ to get all Government benefits reserved for export-oriented companies.
Passey said in 15 years, India has established its competence as an export hub for various passenger vehicle manufacturers. Products are exported to many global markets.
“This is a welcome step that will encourage companies to use local competence and expertise to cater to both domestic and export markets,” explained Passey.
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