Volvo counts India as one of its three top R&D facilities in the world and the latest announcement from the manufacturer regarding the ongoing development of a new truck is the testament to the fact. The CV manufacturer’s R&D facility located in Bangalore has been assigned the job with a deadline ending sometime the next year. The facility, which was initially started with 100 engineers, has the ability to add 200 more. Also, with around 1500 IT professionals, it is now Volvo’s third largest R&D facility in the world.
Despite Volvo India contributing only four to five percent of Volvo’s total global revenue, the company is focusing aggressively on the facility. Outlining the importance of the facility, Kamal Bali, Managing Director, Volvo India, said, “We design global trucks in India.
A lot of R&D work on truck technology is done here. We are very proud that India is involved in a big way there. Concept to design to execution is done by the Indian team. Of course, they may take some help when it comes to engines. But, they are leading the show. Some of the products this team will do will never be sold in India.”
The prestigious CV manufacturer, known for its buses, also has plans for growing India revenue to two billion dollars from one billion dollar in next few years. Confirming the same, Bali explained, “We are going to be aggressive. India is looking very bullish and all categories will grow in double digits for us. We want to improve market share and need to grow faster than the industry.”
Volvo India has already successfully developed the Pro 8000 heavy duty truck with its JV partner Eicher. The truck was also launched in Indonesia and Thailand.
Source: Trucksdekho.com
