The third edition of Busworld India held in Mumbai during January 14-16 was extremely successful, and I should say that the event has established itself as a credible platform for the bus and bus body building industry in India. The event attracted more than 100 exhibitors, and over 10,000 business visitors attended the three-day show that covered an area of 7,500 sq. mts. All the exhibitors were focused on the bus segment, and each and every visitor who attended the show had clear business interest.
Despite the conspicuous absence of bus majors like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland and Volvo, this year’s Busworld showcased as many as 16 different types of luxury buses from Indian bus manufacturers and body builders, including JCBL, Swaraj Mazda, Ruby Coaches, HMM Coaches and Corona Bus. The highlight of the show was the large pressure of Temsa, a global bus major from Turkey, with plans to enter the Indian bus market by 2010. The company showcased its Safari range of high-end luxury buses.
The show also witnessed the participation of global brands like Allison Transmission, Mobitec, Thoreb, Gorba, Wabtec, Konevekta, Bitzer, Songz, Kendrion Linnig, Foton and many others who have either entered or are planning to enter the Indian bus market.
Mr. Marc Van den Bossche, President of Busworld, said: “We are happy to see that Busworld India has grown to become an important event in India for the bus segment. We see that the globalization is taking place in India as well and the evolution in the Indian bus building industry is growing faster than ever before. We clearly see the transformation in the buses industry in India from the first show which was organised in 2005”.
In 2005, when Busworld India was first launched by BAAV, with its Busworld brand, jointly with Interads of India, I thought it was a bold effort to focus on a niche segment like bus which was not so well developed then. But the organisers of Busworld clearly saw a huge opportunity unfolding in the bus segment in India and today, that vision has come true.
Today, as I look around, the Indian bus market has grown by leaps and bounds. In fact, it has surpassed generations in terms of products and technology and is now comparable to the global standards in terms of the quality, design and technology. Volvo set standards in India in the luxury and city bus segment. Mercedes has just made an entry in the luxury bus segment.
Tata Motors JV with Marcopolo has done wonders to city bus business with the DTC buses in Delhi showcasing its strength. Tata’s acquisition of Spanish company Hispano has helped it in improving its products in the luxury bus segment. Ashok Leyland is building on its own capabilities and also through its JV with Irizar. Swaraj Mazda has launched luxury buses with Isuzu technology, and Cerita Motors has tied up with King Long. Clearly both global and domestic manufacturers are gearing upto to grab a slice of the market.
All this goes to show that the Indian bus segment has come of age, and today, in such recessionary scenario in the entire industry, the bus segment is the saviour contributing to significant volumes for commercial vehicle manufacturers.
Mr. Rajan Sharma, Managing Director, Inter Ads Ltd., observed: “We are happy to have successfully organised the third edition of Busworld India. The USP of this exhibition has been its focus on the bus and coach building sectors only. We could have easily added more related industry sectors, but that would have diluted its focus from the bus and coach industry and also the basic purpose of organizing the event. The Indian bus industry is going through a transformation phase, and we are glad that we have contributed in our own way for the growth of the industry. Considering the success of Busworld India, I am glad to say that BAAV and Interads have signed co-operation for the next 5 editions for organising the show in India”.
In fact, when you talk about a bus, there are many sophisticated, high technology components which go into making a bus more comfortable for the driver and the passengers, and most importantly, profitable for the operators. Starting from the basic aggregates like engines, transmissions, axles to, air-conditioners, air suspension systems, seating, flooring, passenger information systems. The bus is today a highly sophisticated product, even more sophisticated than the passenger car. There is more electronics and technology going into buses than ever before, and there are not many Indian companies that manufacture and supply these components locally.
In fact, the Busworld India event has been largely responsible for providing a platform for European and Indian bus and component manufacturers to showcase technology which is relevant to the Indian market. Many European companies have participated in the earlier editions of Busworld India, and today some have even established their business through joint ventures or their independent facility in India.
BAAV has the expertise for organising the Busworld event for nearly five decades now. The main event is held once every two years in Kortrijk, Belgium. This show is recognised as the world’s largest show on buses. It is like what the IAA Hannover show is for trucks. The Busworld show in Belgium attracts over a thousand exhibitors from all over the world. This becomes a ‘must’ visit show for anyone related to the bus industry.
The next show in Kortrijk is scheduled for October next, and despite such a grim situation globally, the show has already surpassed the previous event in terms of space booking.
In 2001 Busworld was launched in China, and right from the start, it has been a roaring success. China is clearly emerging as the bus manufacturing hub of the world, and the Busworld China has helped in showcasing China’s might in bus manufacturing. Considering the market potential and the success of the event, Busworld China is an annual event.
The next Busworld China is scheduled to be held in April next. BAAV has started a Busworld show in Turkey and plans to kickstart Busworld Brazil and Busworld Russia very soon.
