Leverages synergies to drive improved reliability, quality and superior performance.

Eicher aims to capture 15% market share in the heavy-duty truck segment by 2015.

Auto Expo 2010, New Delhi, 5 Jan 2010:

The Volvo group and Eicher Motors came together in July 2008 in the form of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV); a 50-50 joint venture set-up with a purpose of driving modernisation in commercial transportation in India and the developing world. After 18 successful months of intense collaboration and knowledge sharing, VECV has launched its all-new range of Eicher heavy-duty trucks – the VE series – thereby gearing-up to achieve its targeted ambition of a 15% share of the Indian heavy-duty truck market by 2015.

The VE Series of Eicher heavy-duty trucks includes the entire range of 16T - 40T GVW (gross vehicle weight) products including 4x2, 6x2, 8x2 rigid haulage trucks, a 4x2 tractor-trailer and 4x2 and 6x4 tippers. The products from this series are ideally suited for usage segments such as long haul, chemical and petroleum transport, bulk cargo transport, construction, mineral-ore transportation, port-load handling, municipal, airport applications etc.

Siddhartha Lal, MD & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles explains the significance of the VE series in the larger game-plan, saying, “All Eicher trucks in the VE Series carry the inherent advantages accrued from the dual-parentage of VECV. Volvo’s technology prowess, quality systems and advanced production processes are intrinsic to the design and manufacturing of these products and so is the fuel-efficiency edge that Eicher continues to champion. Moreover, with access to global expertise in testing and validating these products, we’ve ensured that all products of the VE series are engineered for superior performance, reliability and uncompromising durability. Going forward, these strengths will become the key differentiators of the Eicher heavy-duty truck range enabling better productivity and profitability for our customers.”

“Besides these hard-core product attributes, the VE Series also offers the benefits of soft-services which would maximize uptime on the road and thereby better the operating economics. And, it is to deliver on this value proposition that we have improved our service and sales reach. All key transport routes in the country have been mapped and identified to create a dense service network. There are over 200 authorized service centres and over 10000 private mechanics trained by Eicher ensuring that the vehicles are maintained as per recommended service protocols. In addition, each of our 205 dealerships is equipped with mobile service vans and 24x7 helpline numbers to ensure quick response and speedy service. We have set ourselves the target of being No. 1 in customer-satisfaction in India by 2015 and to always support our customers with a uniform experience.”

“The VE Series will enable ‘Eicher Trucks and Buses’ to consolidate its position as a full-range premium mass market player wresting 15% share of the heavy-duty truck market in India by 2015. Over the coming times, the newer products from the Eicher range will revolutionize the Indian and emerging markets.”

In a nutshell, the Key differentiating features of VE series:

1. Superior fuel efficiency
2. Higher reliability
3. Superior performance level
4. Best-in-class after market support

Siddhartha further added, “Besides the new introduction from the VE series–the Terra 25, a 6x4rigid tipper which is on display here, we are also showcasing a 650 mm floor height, 12 meter rear-engine city bus from Eicher. More commonly known as the RESLF (rear engine semi low floor), this bus is equipped with a single step at the front, automatic integrated door locking, touch-sensors and wire-multiplexing coupled with a self-diagnostic system making it a really modern, safe, passenger and driver-friendly bus. Besides the inherent Eicher advantage of fuel-efficiency, it has all the contemporary features of a low floor city-bus and comes at a competitive price point. This initiative characterises our commitment towards mordernising commercial transportation in India and the developing world. The RESLF will be offered in different variants e.g. Diesel, CNG, BSIII, Air-conditioned, etc. We target to achieve a 20%+ market share of the city-bus segment by 2015. Deliveries of the RESLF are set to begin during the third-quarter of 2010.”

Bertil Thoren, President, Volvo Group Alliance Office, AB Volvo, and Director on the board of VECV, says, “India is a very important market for the Volvo group and our partnership with Eicher Motors in the form of VECV has as its purpose the introduction of the Eicher range of heavy-duty products, best suited for country’s infrastructural and logistics needs . This partnership has inked the intention of the Volvo group to be a part of the ‘driving modernization in commercial transportation in India’ efforts by achieving a formidable position in heavy-duties and thereby increasing our footprint in the mass market-segments. Our commitment to this cause is unfailing and we will provide all possible support to establish the Eicher brand as the premium brand in the mass market-segment and a customer’s preferred choice, not only in India but also in other emerging markets.”

About ‘Eicher Trucks and Buses’:

Eicher Trucks and Buses is a business area of VECV and it deals with the manufacturing, marketing and sales of Eicher-branded commercial vehicles. Eicher Trucks and Buses has a strong presence in the L/MD segment with around 37% share in 7-12T category and 28% in 5-12T trucks segment. Eicher L/MD trucks have a proven superior performance especially with respect to fuel-efficiency and are often tagged as “Mileage Ke Badshahs”. Similarly Eicher’s 21-69 seater buses have a growing presence in the LD school bus segment as well as staff and route-permit segments. Eicher trucks and Buses has just launched the all-new range of its HD products in the 16T-40T segments – the VE Series. On the export front, Eicher Trucks and Buses are present in as many as 26 countries.

www.eicher.in

About VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd (VECV):

VE Commercial Vehicles Limited (VECV) is a 50-50 joint venture between the Volvo Group and Eicher Motors Limited. In operation since July 2008, the company includes the complete range of Eicher trucks and buses, Eicher’s components and engineering design services businesses as well as the sales and distribution business of Volvo trucks within India. VECV aims to become a full-range commercial vehicle company whose products will drive modernization in commercial transportation in India and other emerging world markets.

www.vecv.in

About Eicher Motors Limited:

Eicher Motors Limited, the flagship, listed company of the Eicher group was founded in 1982. Its businesses include VE Commercial Vehicles and Royal Enfield Motorcycles.

http://www.eicherworld.com