SS Gill "Volvo Eicher bus is the number one in Bangladesh market, and it will remain the number one here," said SS Gill, a top executive of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd (VECV), a joint venture of Volvo Group and Eicher Motors Ltd.
Mr Gill is the executive vice president and head of international business at VECV. He was visiting Bangladesh recently to launch one of its high-end intercity buses, marketed by Rangs Motors.
"Two years ago we conducted a customer satisfaction survey, where we were the topper. So our target is to remain the number one," he told The Financial Express (FE) in an exclusive interview in the city.
He said they have 25 per cent market share in Bangladesh after more than 25 years of presence here with Rangs Group.
"We have grabbed up to 25 per cent market share of buses and trucks over time. Now one of the two city buses in Dhaka is an Eicher bus, every airline operating from Bangladesh has Eicher bus, and many schools and universities have Eicher bus."
"We have been supplying a wide range of buses - city bus, airline bus, staff bus, school and university bus - depending on needs and requirements."
The Volvo top official noted that they would like to grow further, keeping in mind market satisfaction, profitability and excellence. "We are planning to grow to better profitability, productivity, value addition and comfort for Bangladeshi customers and bus users.
He opined that with the improvement of infrastructure here, like opening of the Padma Bridge, the need for intercity section buses has increased for safe and comfortable movement of passengers in different cities.
"It is natural that with the development of infrastructure, transports will also be improved."
"VECV has training centres, a number of outlets, and very strong post-sale facilities, including 190 touch points and service centres across the country where all the parts are available."
Mr Gill said despite the Covid pandemic and existing economic situation, the demand for intercity bus has gone up. The heavy-duty bus market is also growing in Bangladesh.
VECV has two partners for two different segments - bus and truck. "Rangs Motors is our exclusive partner, they are with Eicher for over 25 years. We have another partner - Runner Motors - for trucks."
He mentioned that they are ready to introduce electric bus or other developed vehicles here, if the country's policies permit. The next generation of Eicher trucks and buses aim to improve transportation efficiency in developing markets with relevant modernisation, thereby reducing logistic costs, and leading to economic growth and productivity.
Last week, Rangs announced the launching of Eicher Skyline 20.15 bus - to cater to the needs of bus operators for a wide range of applications.
The Volvo top official said after almost two years of thorough testing and validation they have launched the bus. It is optimised to deliver best-in-class performance and provide unique experience to bus drivers and passengers along with safe, reliable and comfortable travel.
"We are offering buses which are tested in Bangladesh and specially designed for the market."
Eicher Skyline 20.15 bus comes with the most powerful inline engine in its category along with host of features for intercity bus segment in Bangladesh. Its powerful 180HP engine with in-line fuel injection system will help deliver more trips every year, thus enhancing the transporters' profitability.
With this launch, Eicher enters into a new phase of growth in the commercial vehicle market of Bangladesh, he added.
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