Scania Commercial Vehicles India recently handed over 60 trucks to one of India’s largest private port operators, Krishnapatnam Port Co. Ltd. (KPCL), making this a new business model ever, for Scania in India.
The trucks handed over includes the recently launched Scania P 410 8×4, the most powerful 8×4 tipper in the coal transportation tipper segment. This truck is powered by Scania Opticruise, an automated gear-changing system for best fuel efficiency and ease of driving, with the highest possible carrying capacity for port inter-carting of coal. This is a long term partnership for Scania and KPCL. Scania will establish a dedicated operating lease fleet along with a service workshop at the port so as to maintain best uptime and turn around efficiencies.Scania will also deliver 5 workshop containers for service on site backed by driver training center at the port to enhance the operations of Krishnapatnam Port.
Anders Grundströmer, Managing Director, Scania Commercial Vehicles India and Vice President Scania Group, said, “This is a very proud moment for us. This is a proof of the confidence that customers in India have in us. KPCL has chosen Scania as its transportation partner and we are sure that over time they will see the benefits of a lower TCO.”
Mr.Anil Yendluri, Chief Executive Officer,KPCL, said: “This is an important association for us as Scania offers cost-effective transport solutions which directly impact our business. We are very excited to be associated with Scaniaandare happy to unveil Scania’s P 410 8×4 in India. We strong believe that Scania will help improve our profitability and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.”
He further added, “We are also working with Scania on other significant areas such as logistics and transportation solutions for LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) and container transportation.”
Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. (KPCL) was created through a mandate from the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh to develop the existing minor port into modern, deep water and high Productivity port, on BOST (Build–Operate-Share-Transfer) concession basis for 50 years. The port is being built in three phases. Post the completion of the first phase in a record time of 18 months, Krishnapatnam Port was dedicated to the nation on July 17, 2008. Currently the second phase of development is underway. The port has numerous strengths such as its area, location, weather and the credentials of CVR Group that is promoting this port; it is soon be poised to become one of the biggest ports in the world.
Scania targets an annual roll-out of 2,500 heavy haulage trucks and 1,000 inter-city multi-axle buses and coaches from the plant within five years. The first truck is expected to roll out in April 2013.TheNarasapura manufacturing facility near Bangalore is expected to further boost the company’s sales and service offering bring in a wider selection of models and shorten delivery times.
Scania invests in India
Scania is investing about Rs. 2.5bn in an industrial facility in Bengaluru. The Scania Regional Product Centre, India will also be the centre of the company’s commercial operations in the country. Scania’s ambition is to sell about 2,500 trucks, 1,000 coaches per year in the Indian market within the next five years.
The facility is being constructed in an industrial area 40 km east of Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka state in southern India. Production has commenced from June 2013. It is estimated that almost 800 people will be employed at the facility in the longer term.
The industrial operations will consist of final assembly of trucks with bodywork and building of complete coaches with bodywork. The head office of Scania’s Indian company, complete with a service workshop and a central parts warehouse, will be housed at the same site.
Scania has been represented in the Indian market since 2007, when a partnership was initiated with Larsen & Toubro (L&T). L&T has successfully established Scania’s trucks and services and has developed a close partnership with customers in the mining industry. L&T currently operates about 10 Scania service workshops at various mining sites in the country.
In 2011, Scania established the company Scania Commercial Vehicles India in order to boost its presence through sales to additional segments of the Indian commercial vehicle market. Scania recently launched a new range of on-road haulage truck models specially adapted for the Indian market – the R 500 6×4, the G 460 6×4 and the P 410 6×2. The P 410 8×4 mining tipper was launched in December 2012.
In the beginning of 2013 Scania launched a new coach range, especially for the Indian market. The new coach range is offered in three models and is a purpose-designed coach for luxury intercity or charter travels. In June same year Scania launched engines for industrial, marine and power generation in India.
