[Ashley2]

I do endorse Transsenger.
Its not that Volvo is doing a kind of social service but the only way to promote their business is to offer a free training and make customers comfortable in making the buying decision.
More over unlike AL which details the driving techniques, Volvo does it a kind of Service Training only. (correct me if i am wrong).

[windiesel]

Originally Posted by teamveevee

That is exactly Tata tried with Hispano Globus. A new segment at 50 Lakh. But i think Tatas have not started to market it nationally yet (Only few direct sales to selected operators)

In delhi a lot of modern low floor buses with auto boxes (some of them AC) are floating around with the TATA MARCOPOLO brand name. Could these be the offsprings of TATA's marriage with Hispano Globus, or is it something else?

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by windiesel

In delhi a lot of modern low floor buses with auto boxes (some of them AC) are floating around with the TATA MARCOPOLO brand name. Could these be the offsprings of TATA's marriage with Hispano Globus, or is it something else?

Marcopolo buses are offsprings from Tata's unholy relation with Marcopolo, while the Hispano is the offspring of TATA's marriage with Hispano

[windiesel]

Originally Posted by binaiks

Marcopolo buses are offsprings from Tata's unholy relation with Marcopolo, while the Hispano is the offspring of TATA's marriage with Hispano

I should've seen it coming!!

[Ashley2]

Can anyone consolidate the three generations of B7R. I know its only in 3rd gen they got CRD engines. Like wise what all other two generations had. What all cosmetic changes that it had underwent?
Photos will also be welcome.

[AkMar]

@Ashley,
There are not 3, but 4 generations of B7R. The very first generation had square headlamps. Second Generation got round headlamps. Third generation saw a completely new front and rear ends. Headlamps got a black surround in this generation & shape of rear windscreen too changed. And finally the fourth generation is the one we see right now, with front and rear similar to B9R. Here are pics (first three by binaiks, and 4th by myself):

1st gen.
2nd gen.
3rd gen.
4th gen.

[Ashley2]

Thanks akmar. btw, when was the engine changed to CRD. I guess in III gen. Was there any other changes in Gen II in engine apart from cosmetic changes.

[Blue_V]

It will be ages before TATA or Ashok Leyland match the engine+drivetrain of Volvo. Its this seperating Volvo from TATAs.

The Rajahamsa i took yesterday was puttering in 1st gear on a 5 degree incline.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Thanks akmar. btw, when was the engine changed to CRD. I guess in III gen. Was there any other changes in Gen II in engine apart from cosmetic changes.

The difference between Gen I and Gen II is majorly cosmetic - there were some changes in the dash board layout and the such.

CRDi came at the fag end of Mark III. Mark III had both CRDi and non CRDi engines. The Mark III design came some time in early 2006 (or late 2005), while the CRDi came in mid 2006 or early 2007. With CRDi appearing, the engine also got uprated to 290hp from the earlier 260hp.

The Mark III design roughly coincides with the introduction of the B7RLE.

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by Mr_Bean

In Chennai, more number of volvos running on weekends on profitable routes. I once asked the volvo driver about the mileage, in city it is atmost 3 kms per litre, not bad for such a big engine.. When these buses arrive at the terminal and if it scheduled for a 10-15 minute halt then they switch off the engine and AC, reason being heavy consumption of diesel..

Normal buses give close to 5 kms/litre. I think tank capacity is around 600 litres

source - http://www.volvo.com/NR/rdonlyres/6F...usBrochure.pdf

That is correct, they are operated more during week-ends. During week days the service is more concentrated in the main IT routes to garner maximum revenue. These buses run to near capacity on these routes when compared to others on city trips. But it is almost always a full house on the longer routes such as Chennai-Sriperumbudur etc.

A friend who recently traveled to Trichy and back told me some of the MTC Volvos are operated in the Chennai - Trichy route at nights. He travelled by one and the fare was Rs 300.

[pypkmsrikanth]

Originally Posted by Gansan

A friend who recently traveled to Trichy and back told me some of the MTC Volvos are operated in the Chennai - Trichy route at nights. He travelled by one and the fare was Rs 300.

These are the Volvos' operated by TNSTC (Villupuram) Division, they operate to Vellore, Pondy, Hosur also. What used to be operated to Villupuram has now been changed to Trichy.

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by pypkmsrikanth

These are the Volvos' operated by TNSTC (Villupuram) Division, they operate to Vellore, Pondy, Hosur also. What used to be operated to Villupuram has now been changed to Trichy.

That is what I told him, but he said categorically he traveled by a city (MTC) Volvo. He even spoke to the driver/conductor about their extended work hours due to these trips, but said they were quite happy about the collection+incentive/bhata amounts, which does not quite add up in many of the city routes!

[GTO]

Originally Posted by premjit

In this, the greatest hand in this was played by the company itself, which interacted with all major transport operators across the company and brought about the advantages. Some that I remember being quoted were:

1. Speed
2. Safety and Driver Comfort, Better ergonomics
3. Longer maintainence cycles for engines and drive gear
4. Higher load bearing capacity compared to the single axle vehicles offered by the competition.

Thanks for the very informative post, Premjit. I guess Volvo also used productivity as a USP? That is, we can do xxxx more kms in the same time and thus, eventually work out cheaper? It's been a long time since I read that article on Volvo's Indian success.

Stunning thread. Rating it 5 stars.

[pypkmsrikanth]

Originally Posted by pypkmsrikanth

These are the Volvos' operated by TNSTC (Villupuram) Division, they operate to Vellore, Pondy, Hosur also. What used to be operated to Villupuram has now been changed to Trichy.

I had seen two buses on my way to Trichy, a week or so back both the buses were of TNSTC Villupuram unless my eyes deceived me, infact MTC had actually shifted these buses to TNSTC Villupuram because they were not making enough money. Strange if they have been taken back by MTC. Please note that they share the same colour scheme of the MTC Volvo's so its easy to think otherwise.

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by binaiks

These buses comfortably do Trivandrum-Bangalore-Trivandrum in one tankful! (thats about 700 kms one way)

Are you sure? I have done this route by volvo many times and not once did the bus not stop for refueling. Maybe you are in deep slumber when the bus stops (usually around 2-3 am). I have the habit of getting down and stretching during these fuel stops.