VECV rolls out Pro 6000 series trucks, Pro 8000 series coming soon

In a bid to cash in on the turning fortunes of the medium and heavy duty commercial vehicle segment after three years of decline, VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) is going all out to strengthen its 16-49-tonne medium and heavy duty vehicle segment.

The company today just rolled out its next-generation Pro 6000 heavy duty truck series in three variants – 25T haulage, 31T and 25T tipper leveraging its equal joint venture with Sweden’s Volvo Group inked in July 2008. The Pro8000 series has already been given to select customers for trial and will hit the market soon.

Representing the future of Indian trucking, the Pro6000 series aims to modernise the Indian CV industry. Priced between Rs 21 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, the heavy duty range aims to inch VECV closer to a 15 percent market share in this segment within three years from the current 4 percent share.

Powered by Volvo’s VEDX5 and VEDX8 engines designed in collaboration with Volvo at VECV’s new engine plant at Pithampura, the two engines will lead to higher fuel economies using its Swedish partner’s new-generation engine management system.  The engines are tuned to meet Euro VI and above emission norms and are also being re-exported to Volvo in Europe.

Other highlights of the Pro 6000 series trucks is that they come equipped with telematics, fuel coaching for higher economies  and futuristic cruise control that makes driving more comfortable. They are also fitted with advanced on-board diagnostic systems that enable proactive maintenance of the truck and shore up uptime and profitability for the trucker. The system throws up fault indicators to the driver through visual displays, messages and alarms. In combination with Eicher’s service network, the new truck range will facilitate in delivering a superior uptime for operators.

The ultramodern truck cabin from Volvo with intelligent features and support services will add to driver comfort and efficiency. The intelligent driver information system has been launched for the first time in the Pro 6000 series trucks by VECV.

“With the launch of the Pro series of trucks by Eicher, our strategy to expand in Asia and other growth markets gets further strengthened,” said Philippe Divry, senior vice-president, Volvo Group and VECV board member said.

The Eicher Pro6000 series trucks will meet the requirements of market segments spanning haulage, distribution, construction, industrial loads, courier and perishables.

“The Eicher Pro 6000 heavy duty trucks and tippers promise maximum lifetime profitability by delivering best in class fuel efficiency, superior productivity and high driver efficiency,” added Vinod Aggarwal, CEO, VECV.  This is the first time also that an MNC, according to him, has launched a new engine platform in India. The new trucks are expected to clock 1,000-1,500 additional kilometres, leading to higher productivity for the trucker.

From the strategic point of view, the company has pitched its new truck series when the Indian economy is on the cusp of bouncing back. With the CV sector linked to the economic health of the country, the indicators have been positive for the M&HCV industry with the last quarter of 2014 showing growth. During April-December 2014, this segment grew by 10.33 percent in the local market while LCVs de-grew 12.77 percent.

Moreover with 50 percent of the operating cost emanating from fuel costs, Aggarwal is optimistic that there will be a 10 percent plus fuel saving in the new truck range that will reduce at least 5 percent of the truckers’ operating costs even though the initial acquisition cost may be high.

Aggarwal is bullish of a double-digit growth in the CV industry during CY 2015 with VECV also recording the same growth pattern.

In December 2013, VECV had announced its intention to launch its new product range over the next 12-18 month time span. This was followed by the rollout of the Pro 1000 and 3000 series last year.

Also read:  Interview with Vinod Aggarwal, CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles, and Philippe Divry, Senior VP, Volvo Group & VECV board member.