Commercial Vehicle Thread

[Trapezio]

Originally Posted by santoshnair

Hey guys spotted TATA Hispano gloabl bus in mumbai. Owned by Neeta saw 4-5 buses this weekedn but cldnt click the pics as i was driving

Pictures please anyone?

[Ram]

Originally Posted by directinjection

Are you suggesting that Azad-made Volvo buses are sub-standard and not subject to any quality control by Volvo?

Are you suggesting that if the buses are made by Volvo itself, they will look and remain brand new forever even when subjected to the same abuse by mom-and-pop bus operators, road-side mechanics, etc.?

Next you would suggest that Volvo should open company-owned-company-run workshops to service and repair these buses.

And since you can't trust the mom-and-pop operators, Volvo should also start a road transport company of its own to run these buses.

Yes. Azad-made buses on the Volvo B7R platform are sub-standard.
...the cottage-industry hand-caulking of glass to metal for the side windows, the quality of fibreglass front cowl and fibreglass dashboard, the substandard seats and quality of interior flooring, the overhead carry-on luggage rack and its tacky rexine veneer -- all are substandard!

Isn't it clear? We're talking about bus bodies. And products made by Volvo itself, are way better made and durable. Isn't the way a Volvo 740 stands up to abuse and age legendary in the automotive industry? Swedish quality is a quality paradigm.

Yes, Volvo should open company-owned-company-run workshops to service and repair these buses.

And as far as Volvo starting a road transport company of its own to run these buses, were you aware that United Airlines was started by Boeing Inc. as Boeing Air Transport?

[directinjection]

Originally Posted by 1100D

Did 1812 have a lift-axle or it had 3 fixed axles at the rear.

It had two axles at the rear, one being a lift axle.

[amit_mechengg]

hispano buses that are being manufactured in collaboration with tatas, various models will follow. some models are with lucknow tatamotors

[silver_shadow]

that hispano looks sweet! wonder what kind of specs and power especially it has to go with those killer looks.

[AMATMO]

the hispano looks way better than the volvo,only the head lights should be like the ones shown the the auto expo in delhi

[amit_mechengg]

Originally Posted by AMATMO

the hispano looks way better than the volvo,only the head lights should be like the ones shown the the auto expo in delhi

ya the headlights are same as shown in auto expo. there is one more very low floored model in the tatamotors plant. i dont know the specs thought. i need to inquire. the interior is way better than volvo.

[AMATMO]

does mercedes benz sell only dumper/tippers in india or do they have any tractor trailers?

[amit_mechengg]

Originally Posted by AMATMO

does mercedes benz sell only dumper/tippers in india or do they have any tractor trailers?

i dont think so. i have seen only dumpers, double axles here in pune

[AkMar]

The hispano looks very good! I hope it has got enough power to go with the looks!

[amit_mechengg]

though it looks good it was a failed version. tatas are manufacturing hi-deck lpo with 6 cylinders 235 hp engine

[Trapezio]

Originally Posted by amit_mechengg

though it looks good it was a failed version. tatas are manufacturing hi-deck lpo with 6 cylinders 235 hp engine

Means? It was not even launched in India? Without launching how can it fail?

[amit_mechengg]

Originally Posted by Trapezio

Means? It was not even launched in India? Without launching how can it fail?

do u believe in inhouse testing? NPI etc etc? some models fail in this stage itself.

[CorsaLove]

Originally Posted by silver_shadow

there was just one operator on this route (vrl) which had tata 1610s (i think that's the one - the coach was built by ACGL)

You are correct about the ACGL built tata buses being fast. As this has been one of our family businesses from the past 26 years, i have seen the bus industry grow like crazy.

First the ACGL based tata's were very fast as they were short with just 29 seats (not like the usual 35 on leyland). They had a lot of initial pick up and great cruising speeds. The only hiccups with these were (why it did not become a hit with operators) were low mileage, bouncy ride and less luggage space. Apart from all this, look were not that great and you could not ask ACGL to customize anything.

There were a lot of southern and mid region operators who opted for this, like Pai Transports (Had the biggest fleet of ACGL's), VRL, Some Goan Transports, Goan State transport intercity buses, Gogte travels, Konduskar (Kolhapur), Neeta (Mumbai), Sharma and many more.

When Sutlej came up with a lot of good looking and comfortable buses, these became and instant flop.

And being a long time transporter, even my dad would agree with me that Leyland chassis are best for Buses (Apart from Volvos that is )

[CorsaLove]

[quote=directinjection;859966]Are you suggesting that Azad-made Volvo buses are sub-standard and not subject to any quality control by Volvo? Are you suggesting that if the buses are made by Volvo itself, they will look and remain brand new forever even when subjected to the same abuse by mom-and-pop bus operators, road-side mechanics, etc.? Next you would suggest that Volvo should open company-owned-company-run workshops to service and repair these buses. And since you can't trust the mom-and-pop operators, Volvo should also start a road transport company of its own to run these buses.

Let's be realistic.[quote]

Guys not to get into an argument over this. I happened to talk to our Volvo rep who handled the bookings and delivery of our volvos last year and he confirmed that Volvo had a contract with Azad for 4 years for bus body building (under volvo supervision and quality standards) until their plant came up as planned.

Now that they have everything in place, they're doing the building themselves and using Azad for Accident repairs and service, highway service and things like that as their plant is quite far from the city (remember buses sent for service cost a lot per day for the transporter when stalled).

All said, its just a myth that Azad built bus bodies were not good, we've been using them and have no issues other then normal, i have checked the new ones also, the plastics and fabrics have changed a bit and feels good now. But then every company would do that once changed from a vendor. would'nt they??