Scania Commercial Vehicles sets up bus manufacturing unit in India

Scania Commercial Vehicles has now set up a bus manufacturing unit at Narasapura, situated in the Kolar district of Karnataka. The manufacturer's bus line-up in India currently includes 12m, 13.7m and 14.5m Scania Metrolink buses introduced in 2013 while the truck range comprising of the R 580 6x4, the G 460 6x4 and the G 410 6x2 and also the off-road P 410 8x4 coal and mining tipper has been in India since Scania's entry into the market in 2007.

After having started truck manufacturing operations at the Narasapura facility in October,2013, Scania is now looking at making use of "local talent and competence" to kickstart the bus production process in the country. According to the president and CEO of Scania Commercial Vehicles, Martin Lundstedt, the Narasupara plant will not only take care of Scania's Indian clientele but also be turned into a centre for the Swedish auto manufacturer's export business in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

At the inauguration that was graced by dignitaries such as the Honourable Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari, Martin Lundstedt said, "Scania has and remains committed to bringing global technology and manufacturing practices to the countries in which it operates. Here in India, we will always strive to create a win - win situation for our partners. The goal is to draw on local talent and competence and combine it with global experience - making all our facilities part of our global network and in turn creating tremendous value across our global value chain. We see Naraspura as an important addition to our global operations and are committed to making it a success. . . We also know that Naraspura's success so far and in the future will be enabled by joint efforts of all stakeholders - local suppliers, workforce, state and local governments and we value this partnership."

Anders Grundströmer, managing director, Scania India and senior vice president, Scania Group with Martin Lundstedt, president and CEO, Scania Global

With an investment of Rs 300 crore, Scania's manufacturing facilities in India currently have an annual capacity of 2,500 trucks and 1,000 buses. Scania aims at doubling these figures over the next five years.

Klas Dahlberg, senior vice president, buses and coaches, Scania Group, said, "The all new bus manufacturing facility in India is a great leap towards realising Scania's global vision. This facility will be used to its full capacity and we are looking at exporting the buses and coaches to the neighboring countries of India. The geographical position of India will act in advantage to Scania in connecting with Far East Asian countries, Africa and Middle Eastern countries. India's new vision favours international players to set up manufacturing facilities here and we will accomplish our vision in India as well as globally."

Meanwhile, Anders Grundströmer, MD, Scania India and senior vice president, Scania Group lauded the Government's Make in India campaign and emphasised on the group's focus on sustainable mobility in his address, stating that "the facility will accommodate a state-of-the-art bio-gas unit, which will help in producing alternative fuels locally. With this bus plant we are looking at locally assembling buses and coaches in India, and stay true to the vision of Make in India."