[Ashley2]

Its more than few years since Volvo have invested in Eicher to about 50%. Since then, apart from the name change to Volvo Eicher, there was no much of significant new product launches.
The first movement, after investment was Pithampur plant gearing up for producing new Euro 3, Euro 4, Euro 5 and Euro 6 medium-duty base engine requirements of the Volvo Group, and the production have also started recently.

Inline with further investment and new product diversification, it seems that Volvo is looking to bring its UD Truck range to complement its Eicher base in India.
Though Eicher has a prominent position in ICV range, in M&HCV its heavily lagging to TM/AL, inspite of having complete line up of products(except 49T TT).
Now with these spy images, its understood that Volvo wants to fill in the white spaces by bringing a closest range from UD Trucks - formerly known as Nissan Diesels.

At this point its unclear that, will Volvo bring more products after this or will restrict to filling the spaces alone.

Seen here is a 49T Tractor Trailor from Quon Extra heavy range.
Currently there are two engine options available in the range, but they are in the higher power segment. Volvo may derate the power train to suit indian economies of scale and operation.

UDRange08-2010.pdf

[hubolt]

This product looks pretty premium , I guess Volvo wants another go at this market maybe with some less premium-ness or maybe eicher just going to copy paste and supply.

[D33-PAC]

What does it mean for them if they are introducing this during the birth of BharatBenz?

It looks like the CV industry is going to get very bloody soon; so much competition!

[Bookkeeper]

I do not see any logo on the front of the truck. Has it only been bought in as a test mule?

[libranof1987]

Looks like Volvo is flexing it's muscles big time. Their bus division is already doing wonders, their heavy-duty machinery is becoming common.

If they can position their trucks competitively against both AL/Tata and the upcoming Bharat Benz, they should do good business.

It remains to be seen though how keen truck operators are to welcome foreign brands in an industry which has been traditionally ruled by Tata/AL.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by Bookkeeper

I do not see any logo on the front of the truck. Has it only been bought in as a test mule?

No idea whether its test mule or customer trial vehicle. Since its imported throu Chennai port, I think this is a user trial vehicle.

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Looks like Volvo is flexing it's muscles big time. Their bus division is already doing wonders, their heavy-duty machinery is becoming common.

If they can position their trucks competitively against both AL/Tata and the upcoming Bharat Benz, they should do good business.

It remains to be seen though how keen truck operators are to welcome foreign brands in an industry which has been traditionally ruled by Tata/AL.

You may understand, that Volvo buses and Volvo, Volvo Eicher - truck segment is a different company. They have different bosses and different strategies. IMO, Volvo buses is far more aggressive than Volvo Trucks

[swiftnfurious]

Read some news about the Volvo UD (Ultimate Dependability) bus.

Swedish bus major Volvo Group today announced the introduction of UD bus range developed specifically for growth markets including India. New buses under the UD brand will hit the roads sometime in October this year, a top company official said.

He said UD brand buses will be positioned as value segment between the entry-level buses priced in the range of Rs 25-30 lakh and high-end premium buses priced upwards of Rs 80 lakh. The UD brand of buses will be priced towards the higher side of mid segment. Though the company has not announced the exact prices of these buses, they will be priced in the bracket of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 60 lakh.

Link:: http://www.business-standard.com/art...1900330_1.html

[Aditya]

Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer, Volvo has introduced UD buses in India.

Volvo says that the new range UD bus range has been developed specifically for growing markets. India is the first market in which these buses are being introduced. The UD bus range will cater to the value range and help the Volvo Group expand its customer base in the country. The range will include both city buses and coaches. Volvo's sales and service network will provide support to UD buses.

Link to Team-BHP News Article

[sandeepmohan]

I have not seen the test mules in recent times. However; they could be found once in a while, in and around Bangalore. The test mules had the exact same livery and body style of the bus shown in the image.

[teamveevee]

What will be market positioning of UD buses vis-a-vis Eicher (VECL) buses. Are they target the market segment. Is it an Indication Volvo is ready to leave Eicher at some point? Or rather Eicher is not willing to sell to Volvo (100% subsidiary). Volvo should have introduced UD buses through VECL as they have the capaciy at their body building unit.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by teamveevee

What will be market positioning of UD buses vis-a-vis Eicher (VECL) buses. Are they target the market segment. Is it an Indication Volvo is ready to leave Eicher at some point? Or rather Eicher is not willing to sell to Volvo (100% subsidiary). Volvo should have introduced UD buses through VECL as they have the capaciy at their body building unit.

You may understand Volvo - Eicher is a part of Volvo Trucks. They are more interested in the value segment and definitely Eicher will be the game changer with right inputs from VOlvo.
UD -Buses, are renewed by Volvo buses and they are trying to capture some slice in the city and mid range coach segment, where Eicher may not be present.
So since these two are separate Volvo buses, chose SMK, Blore as their partner for bus body plant.
Incidentally there were earlier indications, that Daimler India will be partnering with SMK for their bus plant here in Oragadam, Chennai. In the same time MCV, Egypt opened their shop in Pune near Mercedes Benz truck plant and made handful of buses and tested in Blore / Pune. Later all these plans were scrapped and they shifted complete operations of CV business to Chennai and subsequently talks with SMK also ended.
But now its good that SMK is getting help from Volvo to set up greenfield plant in which SMK owns about 85% stake. That's really good and this means that with the commitment from Volvo they are investing and most of the volume will be absorbed by Volvo themselves, if not completely.

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

You may understand Volvo - Eicher is a part of Volvo Trucks. They are more interested in the value segment and definitely Eicher will be the game changer with right inputs from VOlvo. .

I totally understand and agree. But remember Volvo earlier had a collaboration with AZAD. Multi Nationals like Volvo with deep pockets, do not need support from any local cos. They still tie with them, just because they are not sure about the market for UD buses. In otherwords they dont want to invest heavily with out knowing the demand. But i agree that SMK will be able to learn some thing from Volvo, their processes, quality checks and so on. Also as more and more operators go for Fully Built Buses, body builders like SMK need to diversify to mitigate the risk. It is a win-win for both.

[sandeepmohan]

Spotted a KA registered test mule UD Truck tractor unit on the Chennai Bangalore highway. Spotted between Chennai and Ranipet.