Scania Commercial Vehicles India recently handed over 60 trucks to one of India’s largest private port operators, Krishnapatnam Port Co. Ltd. (KPCL), making this a new business model for Scania in India.
The trucks handed over included the newly-launched Scania P 410 8×4, the most powerful 8×4 tipper in the coal transportation tipper segment. This truck is powered by Scania Opticruise, an automated gear-changing system for best fuel efficiency and ease of driving, with the highest possible carrying capacity for port inter-carting of coal.
This is a long-term partnership for Scania and KPCL. Scania will establish a dedicated operating lease fleet along with a service workshop at the port so as to maintain best uptime and turnaround efficiencies. It will also deliver five workshop containers for service on site backed by the driver training center at the port to enhance the operations of Krishnapatnam Port.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Anders Grundströmer, Managing Director, Scania Commercial Vehicles India, and Vice President, Scania Group, observed: “This is a very proud moment for us. This is proof of the confidence that customers in India have in us. KPCL has chosen Scania as its transportation partner, and we are sure that over time they will see the benefits of a lower TCO.”
Mr. Anil Yendluri, Chief Executive Officer, KPCL, said: “This is an important association for us as Scania offers cost-effective transport solutions which directly impact our business. We are very excited to be associated with Scania and are happy to unveil Scania’s P 410 8×4 in India. We strongly believe that Scania will help improve our profitability and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship. We are also working with Scania on other significant areas such as logistics and transportation solutions for LNG and container transportation.”
KPCL was created through a mandate from the Andhra Pradesh Government to develop the existing minor port into a modern, deep water and high productivity port on the build-operate-share-transfer (BOST) concession basis for 50 years. The port is being built in three phases.
Post the completion of the first phase in a record time of 18 months, the port was dedicated to the nation on July 17, 2008. Currently the second phase of development is underway. With numerous strengths such as its area, location, weather and the credentials of the CVR Group that is promoting it, the port is poised to become one of the biggest ports in the world.
Scania’s Narasapura manufacturing facility near Bangalore is expected to further boost the company’s sales and service offering and bring in a wider selection of models and shorten delivery times.
Scania is investing about Rs. 2.5 billion in an industrial facility in Bangalore. It proposes to sell about 2,500 trucks and 1,000 coaches per year in the Indian market within the next five years.
The facility is being constructed in an industrial area 40 km east of Bangalore. Production commenced in June, and it is estimated that almost 800 people will be employed at the facility in the longer term.
Scania has been represented in the Indian market since 2007 when a partnership was initiated with Larsen & Toubro (L&T). L&T has successfully established Scania’s trucks and services and has developed a close partnership with customers in the mining industry. L&T currently operates about 10 Scania service workshops at various mining sites in the country.
In 2011, Scania established the company Scania Commercial Vehicles India in order to boost its presence through sales in additional segments of the Indian commercial vehicle market. It recently launched a new range of on-road haulage truck models, specially adapted for the Indian market – the R 500 6×4, the G 460 6×4 and the P 410 6×2. The P 410 8×4 mining tipper was launched in December 2012.
In the beginning of 2013 Scania launched a new coach range, specially for the Indian market. Offered in three models it is a purpose-designed coach for luxury inter-city or charter travels. In June the company launched engines for industrial, marine and power generation in India.