Exactly a year after VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), a subsidiary of Eicher Motors, inked a pact to acquire the bus business of Volvo Group (VGIPL) for Rs 100 crore, the first product from the deal has rolled out.

Volvo Buses India has announced that it has become the first manufacturer to launch a 13.5-metre 4x2 coach in India. The rear-engine bus has been developed on the modular Volvo 9400 platform that also includes the 12-metre 4x2 and 14.5-metre 6x2 configurations.

Commenting on the launch, Vinod Aggarwal, MD and CEO, VECV said, “The goal of forming our bus division, by integrating Volvo Buses India into VECV is to transform public transport. I am happy to highlight this development as the first fruit from our synergised way of working”.

The rear-engine Volvo B8R 13.5m coach maintains industry-leading safety, fuel economy, performance and passenger comfort. It offers up to 10% extra seating and over 20% additional sleeper berth capacity with almost 25% increase in passenger luggage space. Fully built buses delivered from VECV’s Hosakote facility are fully compliant with prevalent CMVR norms.

“The Volvo 9400 B8R 13.5m 4x2 coach is part of our pioneering track record of offering market leading bus-based mobility solutions in India. I can assure our customers that they can look forward to a broader range of innovative market adapted offers from VECV’s Bus Division, including an Eicher front-engine coach range in the near future”, concludes Akash Passey, President, Bus Division, VECV.

The Volvo 9400 B8R 13.5m coach is certified for a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 18 tonnes. It is powered by Volvo’s proven 300HP, D8K six-cylinder, direct injection diesel engine. This assures customers of best-in-class power to weight ratio. Ride quality is optimised through the Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS) System, while safety is bolstered by the Electronic Braking System (EBS).