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MOTORINDIA
l
May 2012
15
continue to lead progress in the way India moves by rais-
ing the current standards, as well as reaching out to new
segments and playing a bigger role in this story.
MI:
Most of the vehicle companies extend a helping
hand to customers through in-house financing options.
When can we expect Volvo venturing into vehicle financ-
ing?
AP:
Globally, Volvo Financial Services is a business
area in the group. This is a standalone entity with its own
business approach and customer base. In India the Busi-
ness Area has commenced activity with a local partner re-
cently.
MI:
Ending on a personal note, how has your journey
been with Volvo since joining in in 1997?
AP:
It’s not easy to summarise 14 years in short! For in
the last 14 years with Volvo, I have had the opportunity
to witness and experience almost every aspect of business
development, brand development, business cycles, and
changes in the customers, passengers and the market in all.
I feel fortunate to have been part of a journey starting
from almost ground zero, when not many would share
the vision, to today when we have all forces aligned to a
shared future. It has been a rare opportunity and marked by
close partnerships with colleagues, customers and various
associates.
For me it’s immensely fulfilling to see that we have
helped drive quality of life with every single solution we
have brought into the country. It is because of this value
creation that I truly cherish the fact that we have become
a leading brand in the country with just 4,000 buses on
road. When I look back at the years gone by, I see a series
of events and people which I can best summarise in the
words – courage, determination and creativity. These are
the words that have led to where we are today – and not
just bringing in a product.
Most importantly, with all that has gone by, we retain
a high level of momentum. That we could introduce four
new products in just one year during Auto Expo – the big-
gest ever in the industry till date – it’s a sign that we have
not built a new market but have built a strong faith in this
market.
Today the India operations are backed by a team of able
and capable professionals, each of whom has been part of
the India story of Volvo Buses.
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Akash Passey’s
new role in
business expansion
With 50 per cent of the Volvo Buses’ business
planned to come from Asia by 2015, the company
has just announced that Mr. Akash Passey will take
on a new assignment as Senior Vice President - Busi-
ness Region International, along with becoming the
Chairman of the Board of Volvo Buses in India. He
will also be a member of the Volvo Bus Executive
Committee and will report to Mr. Per Carlsson, Presi-
dent, Volvo Bus Corporation.
In his new role, Mr. Akash will now focus more on
the strategic aspects of the business in the country.
This would imply greater interactions with external
bodies and stakeholders in the bus industry. He will
have specific responsibility to fulfil the company’s
ambition to have Asia account for 50 per cent of the
company’s revenues by 2015. Within this plan, the
two specific engines of growth are India and China,
where India will target revenues of $1 billion.
Mr. Akash joined Volvo in 1997 and has been part
of the company’s journey in India ever since. He
spearheaded the business in various capacities and
has been behind the growth of the organisation from
its nascent stage in 2001 to becoming a leader in its
segment. The company has completed 10 years in In-
dia and is today the No.1 brand in the bus industry.
While Mr. Akash Passey will continue to represent
the local organisation externally as the Chairman
of the Board of Volvo Buses in India, Mr. Manish
Sahi, currently the Chief Operating Officer, will be
the Operational Head for the company. The latter
brings with him rich experience across diverse busi-
ness functions and a strong customer focus, and has
been associated with Volvo Buses since its early days
in India.
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cover story