[Manzone799]

15 years ago, India had luxury buses but it evidently didn't feel luxurious. That is when the Scandinavian truck giants, VOLVO set up their plant somewhere outside Bangalore. Who guessed that Volvo would then go on and transform the way we traveled from place to place. It not only did make the best luxury coaches in the country but also changed the way people traveled within the city. Volvo, today celebrates their 15th year in India and has braced themselves for another 50 years of innovations in road transport.

I was fortunate to attend their 15 year celebrations that took place at their truck factory premises in Hosakote, Bangalore. I also got an opportunity to take a walk inside their truck factory and also meet some of the members from their senior leadership team. Here are some of the snaps from the 15th year celebration (P.S: The clarity of the pictures are not so great)

The senior leadership team and board members arrive in Volvo trucks.


The CFO arrives first in the Red Volvo FH


Volvo Construction Equipments(VCE) director - Mr. Muralidharan arrives in an articulated Hauler. He was cheered the most by the crowd.


Red carpet welcomes the dignitaries on to the Dias




Mr. Phillippe Divry, Pres. and CEO Volvo India Pvt. Ltd.(VIPL) inaugurates the show by lighting a lamp - also, seen with him are the 2 factory Workers Union Chairman and vice-chairman.


The senior management executives are invited to the stage with flowers and bouquets.


VIPL president and CEO, Phillippe Divry addresses the gathering. He re-iterates that In spite of tough competition in both truck and bus segments, Volvo are miles ahead of their closest rivals and will continue to march forward as leaders in quality, innovation and technology in truck, bus and construction equipment industry.


The official logo for the 15th year celebration was unveiled by the senior management. The celebrations will go on till September 2013.





A walk through their truck Assembly unit

A new order from the Bangalore fire brigade is almost done - Volvo FM




Another FM 440 10x4 dumper in assembly line




That say's it all !!


FMX assembly line:

Inviting us - a new FMX about to leave its home!


a new FMX is getting dressed !


Electrical wiring in progress for a new FMX


A new FMX goes for a paint job


view inside the paint shop


FMX: having a peep inside




The X-treme Volvo is ready to roll - see the 2 front axles working in unison.



I could not upload couple of photo's from the various parts used like the New FMX Engine (imported from Sweden) and also the i-shift gearbox(from Sweden) due to some confidential obligations. I will get permissions and upload them at a later time. I really wanted to visit the their Bus factory - but, due to time constraints my trip was cut short. But here are couple of snaps from their Prototype shop.

Bangalore city - brace yourself, Euro 4 is here. They informed me about a bulk order received from Gujarat transport corp.


A Volvo 9400 multi-axle B11R undergoes some tests for brake pressure variations on rear wheels.


I spent most of time at the Volvo customer Demo center - No wonder why customers prefer this brand !


An excavator simulator - an advanced play station.


That's all i have for now! I am a little disappointed for not carrying a good camera to shoot them. It was one of my dreams to visit their plant once. Now, the hunger is just more for my second visit. My team at Volvo is planning for another comprehensive visit some time next month.

[tharian]

I remember visiting the Volvo bus factory around 4 years ago and seeing the trucks parked in the adjacent compound and wanting to go there instead.
The new design trucks are amazing and best looking among other players.
thank you for the photo report.

[turbospooler]

@Manzone799
Was there any talk about the new fascia or headlamp arrangement for the buses too?
Ideally the design language should address all products.

[Manzone799]

Originally Posted by turbospooler

@Manzone799
Was there any talk about the new fascia or headlamp arrangement for the buses too?
Ideally the design language should address all products.

They did not mention specifically about the headlamp arrangement. But, they are really reaping high returns from the Buses India Division and are looking forward to invest more in this segment. That is precisely why that they have created 3 separate facets for Volvo India Pvt. Ltd. - i.e., Group Trucks Operation(GTO), Volvo Buses India(VBI) and Volvo Construction Equipments(VCE). That would enable them to independently give more emphasis on developing world class city buses and coaches.

[ajman28]

Where was Mr. Passey? 15 year celebration without the bus head? ??

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by ajman28

Where was Mr. Passey? 15 year celebration without the bus head? ??

Because Volvo buses are not part of celebrations as they entered only in 2001.

[SirAlec]

Thanks for sharing!!

were there any FH16 around. Its still considered the most powerful production truck in the world.

[Manzone799]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

Thanks for sharing!!

were there any FH16 around. Its still considered the most powerful production truck in the world.

No, there weren't any FH16 anywhere around. In fact all these models of FH, FM and FMX were still not the latest models that were unveilled in european markets. I really wanted to see a 700 hp FH16. But, the max. Power of a truck that volvo has in India is 480 hp Volvo FH.

[SirAlec]

Originally Posted by Manzone799

No, there weren't any FH16 anywhere around. In fact all these models of FH, FM and FMX were still not the latest models that were unveilled in european markets. I really wanted to see a 700 hp FH16. But, the max. Power of a truck that volvo has in India is 480 hp Volvo FH.

i have seen some fh16 on highway. Used as ballast tractor hauling huge factory equipment. They must me privately imported right??

[Manzone799]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

i have seen some fh16 on highway. Used as ballast tractor hauling huge factory equipment. They must me privately imported right??

Yes, those might have been privately imported. Guess you are the lucky one, there might just be one or two FH16's in India . Even the Volvo Trucks Unit at Hosakote don't have one to showcase. I would love to see more such trucks on Indian roads. State of art technologies like Emergency braking system, I-see and I-shift can take trucking in India to another level altogether!

[volkman10]

Volvo's 15 years celebration culminates in celebrations today.






Cheers!