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Scania launches new bus and coach range for India at Busworld

Mumbai, January 31, 2013: Scania takes the next step in India with the introduction of Scania buses and coaches, with full parts and service support via the worldwide Scania service network. The Scania Metrolink is a purpose-designed coach for luxury intercity or charter travel in head-turning style.

The Scania Metrolink introduces a new level of performance, driveability and handling in the Indian market, all based on renowned Scania virtues such as robust design, maximum passenger safety, leading fuel economy and a long and trouble-free service life.

 

Says Mr. Anders Grundströmer, Managing Director Scania Commercial Vehicle India and Senior Vice President Scania Group.

"It is with great pride that Scania makes India the first market worldwide to enjoy the benefits of the Scania Metrolink, a new range of intercity coaches, with a distinct Scania character, bristling with state-of-the-art technology. Scania has been at the forefront, developing new coach concepts and technologies during more than a century. It gives us great pleasure to now bring the world-renowned Scania buses and coaches to India. Our products are known for their outstanding fuel economy and high uptime, and ensuring low operating costs. "Scania Metrolink is a premium product that is completely in line with Scania's mission to be a trusted partner for the transportation industry in India."

Offered in three models, the Scania Metrolink is styled to stand out as a premium product, featuring the established Scania ‘wrapping T’ styling motif that sweeps from the front into the window line along the sides. First deliveries to customers will take place in mid-2013 and assembly of complete coaches will start at Scania's new facility in Bengaluru in early 2014.

 

Three-model range

 

Based on a system of chassis modules and modular bodywork, the Scania Metrolink is offered in two and three-axle form in the Indian market. They all share the sleek styling, generous luggage compartments with parallel opening doors that provide easy access also in confined areas, offering operators the possibility of using the coach for occasional service during weekends.

 

Part of Scania's offer will also include a range of tailored service packages, financing and driver training. Maintenance and repair contracts are fully backed by Scania’s service network:

 Scania Metrolink HD 45-seater. This is a 12-metre 4x2 model with 45 seats, a Scania 9-litre 310 hp Euro 3 engine, Scania Opticruise 8-speed automated gearchanging. The vehicle is 2.6 m wide, 3.7 m high and fitted with a 465-litre fuel tank.

 Scania Metrolink HD 49-seater. 13.7-metre 6x2 model with 49 semi-sleeper seats (or 53 without calf support), a Scania 13-litre 360 hp Euro 3 engine, Scania Opticruise 8-speed automated gearchanging. The third axle is hydraulically steered for easy manoeuvring. The vehicle is 2.6 m wide, 3.7 m high and fitted with a 465-litre fuel tank.

 Scania Metrolink HD 53-seater. This is a 14.5-metre high-capacity 6x2 model featuring 53 semi-sleeper seats (or 57 without calf support). It has the Scania 13-litre 410 hp Euro 3 engine, Scania Opticruise 8-speed automated gearchanging. The third axle is hydraulically steered for easy manoeuvring. The vehicle is 2.6 m wide, 3.7 m high and fitted with a 465-litre fuel tank.

The Scania Metrolink is introduced exclusively for the Indian market at this point. In a few years’ time, the Scania Metrolink will grow into a global range of complete vehicles with network support.

 

 

 

Performance and economy

 

The world-renowned Scania engines that power trucks, buses and other industrial machinery worldwide have exceptional qualities, delivering high torque from low revs, brisk acceleration and relaxed performance, combined with excellent fuel economy. The driver is provided with all the support required for safe and relaxed driving. Passengers will enjoy a comfortable and relaxing ride.

The all-Scania powertrain also features Scania Opticruise automated gearchanging that supports the driver’s efforts to drive economically. Scania Opticruise has been continuously refined over many years and is very popular in both trucks and buses. It provides several major benefits that show clearly on the customer’s bottom line. A major safety benefit is the fact that the driver can concentrate on the traffic and on passenger comfort.

Scania also has a strong driver focus, realising that the driver has such an important role for operating economy, safety and repair costs in any transport operation. Excellent ergonomics are part of any Scania vehicle, putting all controls within easy reach. Scania also undertakes to train drivers and to help maintain their skills over time.

 

 

 

Scania invests in India

 

 

 

 

Scania is investing about Rs. 2.5bn in an industrial facility in Bengaluru . The Scania Regional Product Centre, India will also be the centre of the company’s commercial

 

 

 

 

 

operations in the country. Scania’s ambition is to sell about 2,000 trucks, 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 Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka state in southern India. Production is expected to start in early 2013. It is estimated that almost 800 people will be employed at the facility in the longer term.

The industrial operations will consist of final assembly of trucks with bodywork and building of complete coaches with bodywork. The head office of Scania’s Indian company, complete with a service workshop and a central parts warehouse, will be housed at the same site.

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 to additional segments of the Indian commercial vehicle market. Scania recently launched a new range of on-road haulage truck models specially adapted for the Indian market - the R 500 6x4, the G 460 6x4, the P 410 6x2 and the P 360 4x2. The P 410 8x4 mining tipper was launched in December 2012.