Scania enters on-road segment with four trucks

Bangalore, November 7, 2012: Marking its entry into the on-road segment in India, Swedish commercial vehicle major Scania launched four trucks today. Flagging off the vehicles on a trial run in Bangalore, Henrik Fagrenius, managing director, Scania Commercial Vehicles India, said the newly launched on-road trucks will be initially supplied to customers through the CBU (Completely Build Unit) route till the company commences production at its upcoming manufacturing facility in Narasapura industrial estate near Bangalore. The company is expected to start its truck production at its new facility in April 2013.

He said, “Today is an important milestone for all of us at Scania. We believe that Indian truck buyers will have the benefit of an added choice – trucks with outstanding fuel performance and reliability that offer them value for their investment.”

The company has launched two models each in the puller and prime mover segment. The R500 6x4 heavy duty puller powered by a 500hp V8 engine offers a higher initial torque range which is essential for super ODC transportation. Another heavy duty puller, the Scania G460 6x4 equipped with a 460hp engine will help the driver cruise with the ODC cargo with ease and comfort.

The prime movers ate the Scania 410 6x2 and P 360 4x2. The 410 6x2 is a multi-tasking machine; the 410hp vehicle has a liftable tag axle, tailor-made for long-haul transport, and offers efficiency through fuel savings and higher turnaround time. The P 360 4x2 prime mover is a specially engineered truck with higher power and torque with rear air suspension that serves the needs of critical and fragile cargo transportation.

The Mumbai-based Navneet Motors has been appointed as the first dealer for Scania in India and distributing on-road vehicles in Maharashtra. The company is in talks to appoint dealers in other regions like Chennai, Hyderabad and key locations in north India, said Fagrenius.

The company has given some vehicles to selected customers across the country including logistic giants Siddhi Vinayak Logistics and Chennai-based NTC Logistics for trial runs. Fagrenius said, “We will take feedback from customers once they carry out their trial run and implement changes, if any, in the vehicles.” Scania has undertaken extensive research prior to launching these new trucks in India, he said while adding that bookings have opened for these vehicles.

Scania is already present in India with its trucks designed for the mining and construction segment sold through Larsen &Toubro (L&T). While its ties with L&T in the mining segment will remain, the on-road trucks will be sold directly by the company through its dealership network.

The company is building its manufacturing facility in Narasapur industrial estate near Bangalore with an investment of Rs 250 crore to manufacture trucks and buses. While the truck division will start rolling out vehicles from April next year, the plant will commence bus production by the end of 2013.

JAISHANKAR JAYARAMIAH

Photograph: Henrik Fagrenius, managing director, Scania Commercial Vehicles India, handing over the newly launched on-road trucks to customers for a trial run.