VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) has taken a bold step into the Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) segment with the launch of the Eicher Pro X series, an electric vehicle designed for owner-driven businesses. This move, along with the establishment of VECV’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Bhopal, marks a strategic expansion for the company. In an insightful conversation, B. Srinivas, Chief Operating Officer, VECV, shared the significance of these developments and how they align with the company’s broader vision.
The Strategic Importance of the Eicher Pro X Series
The introduction of the Eicher Pro X series represents VECV’s foray into a segment that comprises nearly 250,000 trucks. Srinivas emphasized the growth potential of this category, particularly as it connects closely with the light and medium-duty truck market.
“This segment is largely owner-driven, and while it is a B2B market, the customer directly uses the vehicle,” he explained. “It allows us to engage with customers early in their business journey, potentially transitioning them into our light and medium-duty vehicle range in the future.”
From a manufacturing perspective, the new Bhopal facility plays a crucial role in supporting this expansion. “This plant is dedicated to light-duty and small commercial vehicles, and setting it up was essential for us to enter this space,” he added.
A Cutting-Edge Manufacturing Facility
The Bhopal plant, conceptualized and executed during the COVID-19 period, embodies the latest advancements in manufacturing. Unlike legacy plants that evolve through incremental upgrades, this greenfield facility provided VECV with a clean slate to integrate modern best practices.
“When you get an opportunity to start from scratch, you can implement solutions that are difficult to execute in existing operations,” Srinivas said. “For instance, this plant is designed to accommodate diesel, CNG, and electric vehicle production, offering us flexibility for the future.”
With an initial capacity of 40,000 vehicles, scalable to 80,000, the facility is poised to handle both SCVs and light and medium-duty trucks from the Pro 2000 series.
Industry 4.0 and Just-in-Sequence Manufacturing
The Bhopal plant stands out for its integration of Industry 4.0 principles, digitalization, and automation. “Every stage in the production process communicates with the next,” Srinivas noted. “If one operation isn’t completed correctly, the system doesn’t allow the next step to proceed. This ensures traceability and quality control at every level.”
VECV has also adopted a just-in-sequence (JIS) approach to inventory and supply chain management. Unlike traditional just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing, which focuses on minimizing on-site inventory, JIS involves synchronizing supplier production schedules with the company’s assembly lines.
“Our suppliers receive our production sequence for the next few days and align their deliveries accordingly,” Srinivas explained. “This means we don’t just optimize inventory at our end; we also streamline production across our entire supply chain, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.”
Automation with a Human Touch
Despite the high level of automation, VECV maintains a balanced approach that integrates human expertise. “Globally, automation is often driven by labor cost concerns, but our approach is different,” Srinivas clarified. “We focus on frugal automation—solutions that enhance quality, productivity, and reduce worker fatigue without eliminating jobs.”
This methodology aligns with India’s strengths in software and engineering. “With our abundant talent pool and strong startup ecosystem, we can develop cost-effective automation solutions that may even be adopted by global manufacturers,” he added.
Gender Diversity and Inclusive Manufacturing
One of the standout aspects of the Bhopal facility is its commitment to gender diversity. The assembly line for the Eicher Pro X series is managed entirely by women, reflecting VECV’s commitment to inclusivity and workforce empowerment.
“Many of these women describe their work as caring for their own children,” Srinivas shared. “There’s a level of empathy and meticulousness in how they handle assembly tasks, which translates into higher precision and product quality.”
To enable this workforce, VECV has invested in ergonomic design and automation that reduces physical strain. “This initiative is not just about diversity—it’s about designing a manufacturing environment that’s efficient, comfortable, and future-ready,” he noted.
India’s Evolving Manufacturing Landscape
Zooming out to the broader industry perspective, Srinivas highlighted how India has made significant strides in manufacturing. “Our suppliers are aligned with global best practices, and our new-age plants meet international manufacturing standards,” he said. “Today, I see very little difference between India’s capabilities and those of global manufacturing hubs.”
He also noted that India’s large-scale vehicle production capacity offers a competitive advantage. “With the growing demand for small commercial vehicles, India has an opportunity to lead in affordable, efficient manufacturing for global markets,” he stated.
Ready to Redefine
VECV’s strategic investments in the SCV segment and advanced manufacturing underscore its vision for the future. The Eicher Pro X series, backed by a state-of-the-art facility, is set to redefine small commercial mobility in India.
“We started with understanding the unmet needs of the customer, co-creating solutions with them, and then designing a plant to support those solutions,” Srinivas said. “This is not a makeshift adaptation—it’s a ground-up development for the new age of mobility.”
With its blend of innovation, automation, and sustainability, VECV’s latest initiatives reaffirm its position as a leader in India’s commercial vehicle industry, paving the way for a more connected and efficient future.