The hybrid version of Force Motors ‘Traveller’ will break its cover at the forthcoming Auto Expo 2012, to be held in Delhi. This commercial vehicle will be available in the market by the end of 2012. A multi purpose vehicle (MPV) will also be launched by Force Motors, which is being built in association with Daimler. The nine-seater will be released in 2013 and fall in the price range of Rs. 12 lacs to Rs. 15 lacs.
About the company’s collaboration with Daimler, Firodia said, "We have tied up with the German firm to produce a nine-seater van under a licence agreement. We will launch the vehicle in Indian market in 2013." The association took place in July 2011, to provide product technology for the upcoming multi purpose vehicle. This vehicle will belong to a totally new group, according to the officials. The company has been authorised to purchase the entire vehicle, however, it cannot export it to Europe. Force Motors will be selling the vehicle in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Only parts like sheet metals of the MPV will be delivered to Europe.
The Traveller fleet, at the moment, comes with OM 611, a 2.2-litre common rail engine. Versions of the OM 611 will be customised in order to befit the multipurpose vehicle. A new plant is being setup at Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, for this multi purpose vehicle. The facility will have a total production capacity of 24,000 units per year that will be achieved in two stages.
In August this year, Force Motors entered the passenger car segment by introducing the sports utility vehicle (SUV) Force One. Its variants, a four-wheel drive and a concept luxury weekend getaway, will be showcased at the Auto Expo along with a 26-seater monocoque bus.
It will be interesting to see how Force Motors fares in the new segments and if it manages to meet customer expectations.
