Eicher Pro Series commercial vehicles unveiled

VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd. (VECV), a 50:50 joint venture between the Volvo Group and Eicher Motors Ltd., has unveiled its Pro Series range of commercial vehicles in India. The range consists of 11 new trucks and buses in the 5 to 49 tonne gross vehicle weight (GVW) range.

The Pro Series trucks will use engines with technology adapted from Volvo, with output between 180 and 280 hp. This will enable Eicher to cater to customer segments that require higher power and torque offerings. VECV claims the Pro Series has best-in-class fuel economy, higher loading capacity and superior uptime and leading overall vehicle life time profitability compared to its rivals which include the Tata Prima and Ashok Leyland’s new generation trucks. VECV also unveiled its Skyline Pro buses.

Apart from catering to the Indian market, Eicher will have dedicated variants for exports.

For production of the Pro Series, VECV upgraded and modernised their facilities by investing in new assembly lines, a cab factory, a cab painting workshop and an engine factory. Till date, the joint venture has invested Rs. 1,800 crore and plans to invest another Rs. 700 crore till the end of 2014.

Production of the Eicher Pro Series begins in February 2014.

The four Pro Series categories at a glance:

• Pro 1000 : 5-14 tonne GVW light and medium trucks
• Pro 3000 : 9-14 tonne GVW medium trucks
• Pro 6000 : 16-40 tonne GVW heavy trucks, tippers and trailers
• Pro 8000 : 25-49 tonne GVW premium heavy trucks, tippers and trailers