Swedish commercial vehicle maker Volvo Buses has initiated process to export buses from India. The first such bus, produced at the Volvo facility in Bangalore will make its way to Europe by the end of this year while the company will be stepping up exports from India to more markets in the months ahead.
Volvo will be utilising its manufacturing facilities in India and China for exports to European markets to compete with Daimler and IVECO. From India, this will be the first time they will be exporting India-made products to developed markets. Volvo already exports buses to South Asia and South Africa.
Volvo Make-in-India buses are Euro VI certified and will be shipped as Completely Built Units which will be produced from the company’s Hoskote facility near Bangalore. These Volvo buses will be sold directly to customers and not through Volvo subsidiaries in Europe. This announcement makes Volvo Buses the first CV maker to export to Europe while it is also the first time that Europe will be importing buses from a non developed market.
There are about 5,000 Volvo buses on roads in India out of which 3,500 are used for intercity travel while 1,500 are intracity buses. All buses are Bharat III compliant which is equal to Euro III.
Volvo Buses are used by many state government run transport services.The company has recently stepped up capacities to around 1,500 buses per annum on a single shift so as to balance domestic and export demands. Volvo has also initiated the Asia Leverage Program, investing in India to enhance facilities to include a new paint shop, warehouse, a training and R&D Centre besides a new test track.
