Volvo has kicked off roadshows in 15 cities with its publicity drive focusing on Volvo's superior fuel-efficiency, higher payload capacity, engine power, reduced transportation cost, enhanced driver productivity and a pro-active service network. Said Anton Freiesleben, vice president, marketing, Volvo India: ``Considering that our trucks are just a year old, we have already seen repeat purchase rate of 75 per cent.'' The multi-axle combination of Volvo FM7 4x2 with 2- or 3-axle semi-trailers is aimed at regional and long haul transportation of loads of 15-30 tonnes. While the tractor is priced at Rs 21.5 lakh the attached trailer is ranged between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 7 lakh.

The 4-axle FM7 8x4 tipper is aimed at mining and construction industry. Priced at around Rs 38 lakh, the tipper boasts of 30 per cent fuel saving per tonne carried.

The FM7 8x4 mixer is customised for construction segment. Priced at Rs 48 lakh, the mixer is claimed to offer an increase in payload by 5 tonnes as compared to typical 3-axle mixers in combination and a capability to cover 25-30 per cent more distance every day.

Uppal also indicated Volvo's plans to roll out low-floor buses for cities by mid-2000. ``We will engage private transportation companies in the south and west to offer high quality transportation solutions to passen- gers,'' said Uppal. ``The concept of luxury deluxe transportation is becoming popular.'' He added that the Volvo's offering of superior airconditioning and toilet facilities for passengers in the long-haul buses would change the 800 luxury deluxe bus and the 3,000 deluxe bus market.

With an investment of over Rs 350 crore in India, Volvo India, a wholly owned subsidiary of $ 14 billion AB Volvo, Sweden, is presently manufacturing 50 trucks a month on a single shift basis. Volvo is now planning to ramp production up to 80 trucks a month by the year end. Volvo's Hoskote-plant in Bangalore has an installed capacity of 4,000 trucks in double shifts. Having achieved an indigenisation level of 45 per cent, Volvo is now also aiming at enhanced exports of components to various Volvo plants.

Volvo's first product for domestic market FH 12, a multi-axle truck based on the tractor-trailer concept with six axles, was launched in August 1998. It was followed by the launch of FL7 in February 1999. According to a Volvo spokesperson the initial Volvo investments in India focused on providing Economic Transport Solutions such as heavy and medium commercial vehicles, eco-friendly and fuel-efficient diesel engines for marine and industrial applications and construction equipment.

-- KK