Scania begins trial production at its new plant near Bangalore

Bangalore, June 27, 2013: Swedish commercial vehicle major Scania has commenced trial production at its new plant in Narasapura, near Bangalore. The facility has a manufacturing capacity of 2,500 trucks and 1,000 buses per annum. Talking to Autocar Professional, Anders Grundströmer, managing director of Scania Commercial Vehicles India, said, “We have started production in the new manufacturing facility in Narasapura from this month.”

He said trial production has begun with mining and off-road trucks. Production of on-road trucks is to start soon. Commencement of full-fledged production and official inauguration of the plant is expected to be in November this year. The Narasapura plant will house two manufacturing units -- one for truck assembly and another for bus assembly. The bus manufacturing unit, which is under construction, will commence operations in the first quarter of 2014. Grundströmer said, “The buses will roll out from the first quarter of next year.”

Besides manufacturing operations, the Narasapura complex will also house the company’s Indian head office. The company has earmarked a total investment of Rs 250 crore for the plant. It has thus far spent around 60 percent in the first phase for the truck production unit and other major infrastructure facilities while the remaining 40 percent will be utilised for the bus manufacturing unit.

Grundströmer said Scania’s on-road trucks which have been on trial runs in the Indian market since November 2012 summer have received a good response in various parts of the country. The company plans to start deliveries of on-road trucks to customers soon.

Scania has launched two models each in the puller and prime mover segment. The R500 6x4 heavy duty puller is powered by a 500hp V8 engine and suitable for super ODC transportation while another heavy duty puller, the Scania G460 6x4 equipped with a 460hp engine will help the driver cruise with the ODC cargo with ease and comfort. The prime movers are the Scania 410 6x2 and P 360 4x2. The 410 6x2 is a multi-tasking machine; the 410hp vehicle has a liftable tag axle, tailor-made for long-haul transport, and offers efficiency through fuel savings and higher turnaround time. The P360 4x2 prime mover is a specially engineered truck with higher power and torque with rear air suspension that serves the needs of critical and fragile cargo transportation.

The company has currently appointed five dealerships to sell its on-road trucks in Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore and Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It is in the process of appointing a dealer in Hyderabad in the near future.

Scania is already present in India with its trucks designed for the mining and construction segment sold through Larsen &Toubro (L&T). While its ties with L&T in the mining segment will remain, the on-road trucks will be sold directly by the company through its dealership network. JAISHANKAR JAYARAMIAH

Photograph: Anders Grundströmer, managing director of Scania Commercial Vehicles India.