To mark 15 years of its operations in India, Volvo Buses today unveiled its new 9400 intercity coach range at Busworld 2016 which opened today in Bangalore. The new range includes the Volvo 9400, 12-metre-long coach powered by the new 8.0-litre engine sourced from VE Commercial Vehicles’ Pithampur plant (shown below).

Volvo Buses says the new 8.0-litre engine is the result of its efforts at localisation of key aggregates and highlights its capability to leverage its local manufacturing competence to meet market potential. The body in all Volvo buses is 100 percent localised.  

Meanwhile, the high-selling 9400, 13.6-metre, multi-axle coach gets a boost with the engine being upgraded from a 9.0-litre unit to an 11-litre powerplant. Also, the 9400 14.5-metre coach sees its 11.0-litre engine upgraded to meet upcoming BS IV emission norms (which come into effect from April 2017) as also improvements for enhanced performance. All the engines in the new range are BS IV compatible.

The new 9400 range of buses will be manufactured at Volvo Buses' modern plant near Hosakote, Bangalore. From assebly of chassis to rollout of complete buses, this facility follows the Volvo Bus Production Systems that are implemented at all Volvo manufacturing sites around the world.   

Hakan Agnevall, president, Volvo Bus Corporation, said: “Volvo Buses has always positioned itself to provide products that deliver the right value to customers. The new engine range is a good example of India’s role in the Volvo Group’s global plans. The way forward for us is to offer in India the latest solutions that can provide the finest ownership experience to operators.”

Akash Passey, senior vice-president – Business Region International, Volvo Bus Corporation, said: Our journey in India over the past 15 years has helped create awareness and acceptability towards bus travel among people. The bus transport business and the bus manufacturing industry have undergone a sea-change since 2001. Volvo Buses will continue to take initiatives to make a difference to our customers, which is our commitment to the market.”

VRV Sriprasad, managing director, Volvo Buses - South Asia, said: "Volvo Buses has always taken the lead in introducing new technologies and concepts. We work closely with our customers and this is reflected in our products and services. We reaffirm our commitment to impart the best travel experience to our customers, drivers and passengers."

Volvo has over a decade and a half sold over 6,000 buses in India including 4,500 coaches that ply between 100-plus locations. 

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- VRV Sriprasad on the company's future growth plans