Scania flags off the first bus of its Metrolink Services from Mumbai

Team OD Published: April 10, 2014, 11:49 AM IST

Scania Commercial Vehicles has launched its metrolink services in Mumbai called the SVLL Connect. SVLL Connect is an intercity service which will connect Mumbai to Surat and other destinations.

L to R Mr.Anders Grundströmer, Managing Director, Scania CV India Pvt Lt...Anders Grundströmer, MD of Scania CV India falgging off the first bus

The Scania buses have been developed with special focus on medium and long distance luxury travel needs of the Indian customer. These vehicles have been purpose designed for intercity/charter travels and offer safety, good acceleration, strong low end torque and are environment friendly as well. Scania plans to expand its operation in India and to this effect it will inaugurate the second phase of its bus production facility at Narasapura, Karnataka. The company will also expand its dealership starting from South and West and later from the North to the East. The company has said that it will bring new technologies to India through research and development and will later enhance its portfolio by entering in to a wide range of products and services.

Anders Grundstromer, MD, Scania Commercial Vehicles India & Sr.VP, Scania Group, said, "This is an important milestone for the Scania Metrolink Luxury Intercity Coach. The commencement of SVLL Connect services using the Scania Metrolink, is a proof of concept, that what Scania has developed for India, is also well appreciated by India's bus operators, as well as passengers."

Scania has said that at a later stage it will also bring in new ideas like alternate fuels and operating lease to customers.

Scania flags off SVLL Connect in Mumbai


Mumbai, April 09, 2014: Scania Commercial Vehicles India, a leading commercial vehicles and engines manufacturer, today flagged off the first buses for SVLL Connect of Scania Metrolink Services in Mumbai. Mr.Anders Grundströmer, Managing Director Scania Commercial Vehicles India and Senior Vice President Scania Group and Mr. Deepak Baid, Director, SVLL Connect Pvt. Ltd. were part of the celebration. These buses will connect travelers from Mumbai to Surat and other destinations. The SVLL Connect range introduces a new level of performance, driveability and safety in the Indian market, all based on renowned Scania virtues such as robust design, maximum passenger safety, leading fuel economy and a long and trouble-free service life. Mr.Anders Grundströmer, Managing Director Scania Commercial Vehicles India and Senior Vice President Scania Group said, "This is an important milestone for the Scania Metrolink Luxury Intercity Coach. The commencement of SVLL Connect services using the Scania Metrolink, is a proof of concept, that what Scania has developed for India, is also well appreciated by India's bus operators, as well as passengers." The Scania intercity bus range introduces highly reliable multi-purpose buses for medium and long distance luxury travel for the Indian traveller. The luxury bus is the product of knowledge gathered from studying the needs of passengers as well as long-distance bus drivers. Scania products and services are known for their outstanding 'Total Operating Economy', including, low fuel economy and high uptime, as well as high residual value. Scania is well known all over the world for innovative and sustainable transport solutions. Scania's mission is to be a trusted partner for the transportation industry in India. The world-renowned Scania vehicles have exceptional qualities, safety features, delivering high torque from low revs, brisk acceleration, outstanding performance and lesser impact on the environment. As part of the company's strategy, Scania will inaugurate Phase II of the company's production facility – the Bus factory in Narasapura, Karnataka, India this year. The company is establishing a complete service and dealership network in the country starting from South and West and later North and East. The company's major focus will be on changing the way India views transportation by bringing in new and innovative technologies through constant R&D in India followed by entry into a wide range of products and services. Scania will also, going forward, focus on newer concepts like operating lease to customers, alternate fuels, etc. Scania India Scania has been represented in the Indian market since 2007, when a partnership was initiated with Larsen & Toubro (L&T). L&T has successfully established Scania's trucks and services and has developed a close partnership with customers in the off-road segment. L&T currently operates about 10 Scania service workshops at various mining sites in the country and continues to be a trusted partner for off road including mining trucks. In 2011, Scania established the company Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt. Ltd. in order to boost its presence through sales to additional segments of the Indian commercial vehicle market. Scania recently launched a new range of on-road haulage truck models specially adapted for the Indian market - the R 500 6x4, the G 460 6x4 and the P 410 6x2. The P 410 8x4 mining tipper was launched in December 2012. In the beginning of 2013 Scania launched a new bus range, especially for the Indian market. The new bus range is a purpose-designed bus for luxury intercity or charter travels. Scania also launched the company's engines range in India. Scania has been establishing a network of dealers across the south and western regions of India covering its business areas to support the customers with the best parts and service availability. The company inaugurated its Industrial Facility in Narasapura in Oct 2013. With an investment of Rs. 250 crore, this facility will serve as the centre of the company's commercial operations in the country. Scania's ambition is to sell about 2,500 trucks and 1,000 buses per year in the Indian market within the next five years and employee about 800 people at this facility. The industrial operation at the factory currently consists of final assembly of trucks with bodywork and will shortly begin with building of complete buses with bodywork. The service workshop and a central parts warehouse, is housed at the same site. For other press material and pictures, please visit www.scania.in/media.