Autocar Professional first broke the news about auto components manufacturer JBM Group planning to diversify into bus manufacturing in its October 1, 2013 issue.
Five months later, the $ 1.2 billion Group’s bus division JBM Motors has launched its first low floor bus called Citylife designed for intra-city travel in India. JBM has invested Rs 500 crore in the project which will see the Citylife manufactured in technological partnership with European bus-maker BredaMenarinibus (BMB).
Speaking at the launch, Nishant Arya, executive director, JBM Group, said: “Our detailed market research indicated there was need for a safe, reliable and durable intra-city mode of transport. We are confident that our product will revolutionise intra-city travel and create higher benchmarks. State-of-the-art technology deployed in every aspect of this bus will certainly make tedious bus journeys pleasant hereafter.”
Arya told Autocar Professional that by CY2018, JBM will be present in the entire spectrum of the bus segment.
The Citylife will be manufactured at the company’s modern plants in Faridabad (Haryana) and Kosi (Uttar Pradesh). Together, these facilities have a manufacturing capacity of 2,000 buses per annum.
The bus, JBM says, has been designed to Indian traffic and weather conditions. Some features include a monocoque structure to ensure maximum strength and minimum weight, and European standards of safety for front/side collision and rollover accidents. Additional safety is provided through five large diameter detachable cylinders with an automatic valve close in case of leakage. Other product highlights are an independent front suspension, cantilever seats and armrests.
The JBM Group, which is engaged in the automotive, engineering and design services and renewables industries, has 35 manufacturing plants, and four engineering and design centres across 18 locations globally.
Photograph (L-R): Nishant Arya, executive director, JBM Group, with S K Arya, chairman, JBM Group, at the launch of the JBM Group’s Citylife low floor bus at the Auto Expo 2014.