SML Isuzu is a very strong contender in the school bus space with a robust product offering and contented customer base across the country. Its product range, including the new XM series, reflects a superior mix in terms of quality, safety, comfort and overall performance. Mr. Toshihiro Otsubo, Sr. Vice President – Marketing, SML Isuzu, outlines his firm’s strengths in the school buses space.
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SML Isuzu’s strengths in the segment
School buses are a very important market segment for SML Isuzu, and our company is known for school buses. Our company enjoys a pretty high market share in this segment. We are all braced up for the future and are looking forward to further increasing our market share and presence in this segment.
Product range
Out of the wide array of products that we offer, all models of school buses ranging from 18 seats to 60 seats comply with the latest Bus Body Norms AIS 052 and AIS 063. Our foremost objective in the school bus segment is Safety, Economy, Reliability and the joyous ride for school children. Our buses are equipped with speed control governor ABS, emergency stop alarm, anti-skid vinyl flooring, multiplex wiring and the GPS tracking system based on the customised requirements. For add-on safety our buses are made up of fire-retardant material and each bus comes with a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and an emergency exit. Our buses are spacious and have ample space to keep school bags and sports kits. Hangers are provided for other necessary items like water bottles, etc.
FY14-15 sales numbers and geographical presence
In FY 2014-15, about 6,000 school buses were sold by SML Isuzu. Our buses are manufactured at our plant at Asron village near Ropar in Punjab. Our present plant capacity is for 9,000 buses a year, which we are increasing to 12,000 buses by the end of FY15-16. We have a strong presence in the school bus segment in the South Indian States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka. Also we have a very good presence in Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.
Addressing growing market demand
It is our endeavour to continuously incorporate new features and improve our products in terms of quality, safety, efficiency and comfort, and school buses are no exception. Our buses are tried and tested and are fully equipped with the latest GPS navigational systems, multiplex wiring and modern telematics.
SML Isuzu has advanced Japanese technical support and strict quality management practices. From time to time, we keep on adding new features to our buses keeping in mind modern buyers expectations and needs.
Our buses now are much more comfortable, safer and smarter than ever before. We are continuously working on these areas and there is no limit.
Market outlook and way forward
The school bus market is not only confined to schools, but many other Government / private educational institutes/universities are looking forward to have their own fleet of buses meant for students, teachers and staff. The key factors behind growth in this segment are: Our Indian economy is growing and as such the parents have high disposable incomes and their demand for better safety and comfort for their children is natural. This new buses can easily fulfil.
The Indian school bus sector is a continuously growing one and is expected to grow further in the coming 3-5 years as more and more new schools and colleges are coming up. Demand for fully air-conditioned buses with better specs, low floor, latest telematics, etc., are expected to increase significantly in the near future.
