Now the mass-market segment is high on trucks with value-added enhanced features and comfort at low cost of ownership. Next gen Eicher trucks and buses looks to better transportation efficiency in India and developing markets. Priorities are focused on productivity and logistics with low down time.
Eicher Pro 1000 Series light and medium duty trucks in the 5-14T segment use an E-483 engine with low maintenance and best in class fuel efficiency in a value segment. Eicher Pro 3000 Series new gen medium duty trucks (9-14T) are specially designed for an emerging premium segment with focus on high power and torque combination made possible through a 4 Cylinder 4 Valve E-494 CRS technology engine with Volvo group Engine Management system (EMS) 3.0. Accommodating a 2.1 m wide new gen cab with a sleeper option and rest kit, they meet ECR 27 safety test norms, house a 6 way adjustable seat and offer cruise control.
Eicher Pro range, an effort from Volvo Group and Eicher looks at growing in the commercial vehicle market. Volvo Group has been working with VECV teams for over 5 years to develop new solutions for India. With high focus on fuel-efficiency here, Volvo Group’s technology and Eicher’s frugal engineering prowess have proven to be a good match.
Investment in developing the Pro series of trucks and buses range from 5-49 tonne gross vehicle weight stands at 3 million hours of engineering effort, 7.7 million kms of testing and 50,000 hours of engine development. In due course of time Eicher 6000 and 8000 series will be introduced. Back in 2008, Eicher’s market share stood at about 7.8% and that number reached 13.8% in 2013 with 31% market share in L&MCV segment, 5% in HCV segment and 13.5% in the bus segment. India’s domestic CV market saw sales of about 135,000 16-to-49-tonne trucks, 70,000 5-to-14-tonne trucks and 60,000 buses last year. Of this, VECV sold 44,000 units. For 2014, the company looks to increase sales by about 5% and report 15% market share in India.
Next in line from Eicher Pro is a 9.5-tonne truck, then a 31-tonne truck (Pro 6000 series) next month, and Skyline Pro buses are to be launched later in 2014. Company exports stand at 1800 units for the January-April 2014 period.
While India awaits general elections’ results on 16th May to know which party or coalition will form the Union government in New Delhi, a new government is likely to introduce infrastructure development plans including road construction across India. This change could be key in infusing demand for commercial vehicles to help the market. Last month, Supreme Court lifted the mining ban in Goa.
