The Volkswagen Group-owned Swedish commercial vehicle maker expects the India premium bus market to grow from the current level of around 1,000 buses to 5,000 buses a year in the next five years.
“By then we hope to reach the peak capacity of our bus body building plant,” says Anders Grundströmer, the newly appointed managing director of Scania Commercial Vehicles India (who has replaced Henrik Fagrenius from February 1). Grundströmer adds, “It is with great pride that Scania makes India the first market worldwide to enjoy the benefits of the Scania Metrolink, a new range of intercity coaches.”
Offered in three models, the Scania Metrolink is styled to stand out as a premium product, featuring the established Scania ‘wrapping T’ styling motif that sweeps from the front into the window line along the sides. First deliveries to customers will take place in mid-2013 and assembly of complete coaches will start at Scania's new facility in Bengaluru in early 2014.
Three-model range
Based on a system of chassis modules and modular bodywork, the Scania Metrolink is offered in two and three-axle form in India. Part of Scania's offer will also include a range of tailored service packages, financing and driver training. Maintenance and repair contracts are fully backed by Scania’s service network.
Scania Metrolink HD 45-seater: This is a 12-metre 4x2 model, a Scania 9-litre 310 hp Euro 3 engine, Scania Opticruise 8-speed automated gearchanging. The vehicle is 2.6 m wide, 3.7 m high and fitted with a 465-litre fuel tank.
Scania Metrolink HD 49-seater: 13.7-metre 6x2 model with 49 semi-sleeper seats (or 53 without calf support), a Scania 13-litre 360 hp Euro 3 engine, Opticruise 8-speed automated gearchanging. The third axle is hydraulically steered for easy manoeuvering. The vehicle is 2.6 m wide, 3.7 m high and fitted with a 465-litre fuel tank.
Scania Metrolink HD 53-seater: This is a 14.5-metre high-capacity 6x2 model featuring 53 semi-sleeper seats (or 57 without calf support). It has the Scania 13-litre 410 hp Euro 3 engine, Opticruise 8-speed automated gearchanging. The third axle is hydraulically steered for easy manoeuvring. The vehicle is 2.6 m wide, 3.7 m high and fitted with a 465-litre fuel tank.
The Scania Metrolink, the company says, has been introduced exclusively for the Indian market at this point. In a few years’ time, it will grow into a global range of complete vehicles with network support.
New plant in Bangalore to go on stream later this year
Scania is investing about Rs 250 crore in a new assembly plant in Bangalore. The Scania Regional Product Centre, India will also be the centre of the company’s commercial operations in the country. Scania’s ambition is to sell about 2,000 trucks, 1,000 coaches per year in the Indian market within the next five years.
The facility is being constructed in an industrial area 40km east of Bangalore. Production is expected to start in early 2013. The operation will consist of final assembly of trucks with bodywork and building of complete coaches with bodywork. The head office of Scania’s Indian company, complete with a service workshop and a central parts warehouse, will be housed at the same site.
Scania has been in India since 2007 through partner Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which currently operates about 10 Scania service workshops at various mining sites in the country.
In 2011, Scania established Scania Commercial Vehicles India in increase its presence through sales to additional segments of the Indian CV market. Scania recently launched a new range of on-road haulage truck models specially adapted for the Indian market - the R 500 6x4, G 460 6x4, P 410 6x2 and P 360 4x2. The P 410 8x4 mining tipper was launched in December 2012.
Photograph (L-R): Anders Grundstromer, MD, Scania Commercial Vehicles India, Henrik Fagrenius, executive regional director for Southern Africa, Asia & Oceania, and Kristen Thulin, marketing director (Buses & Coaches), Scania CV India at the launch of intercity buses in Mumbai on January 31.