NewsVoir | 14 Jan, 2016
Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt Ltd, hosted a multi-stakeholder conference today on sustainability, where Shri. Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Honourable Minister for Road Transport and Highways delivered the keynote address. At the conference, Scania unveiled an industry whitepaper on âIncreasing the adoption of biofuels for vehicle use in Indiaâ. The whitepaper highlighted specific measures to help India create a sustainable transport system, secure energy independence, curb emissions dramatically and create new jobs. The whitepaper also outlined how India can transform its current account deficit to a surplus with this shift, while minimising damage to our environment.
A global pioneer in delivering sustainable transport solutions, Scania reiterated its support to the Indian Governmentâs vision of making sustainable transport solutions a reality. The company introduced Indiaâs first biofuel run Green Bus in 2014 and is in active discussions with numerous state transport undertakings to deploy more such environment friendly buses across the country. Scania has witnessed sound business momentum in the Indian market and currently has 35% market share in the premium commercial vehicles segment.
On the occasion, Scania also announced key changes to its management team to drive the companyâs next growth phase. Mr Anders Grundströmer, Managing Director, Scania India and Senior Vice President, Scania Group is moving back to the parent organisation after significantly growing the companyâs Indian entity over the last 3 years. Under his stellar leadership, Scania India has increased its customer base and market share in the premium commercial vehicles segment. Mr. Stefan Palskog has joined as President, Scania India and Mr. Mikael Benje has joined as Managing Director of Business Unit, Scania India.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Anders Grundströmer, Managing Director, Scania India and Senior Vice President, Scania Group, said: âIn order to make sustainable transport solutions a reality, itâs important for India to recognise the huge potential of biofuels and quickly design the right ecosystem. A multi-stakeholder approach is critical to fast track this vision. There is a need to set long-term targets and incentives for renewable fuels like ethanol, biogas and bio-diesel in the transport sector if an efficient introduction of bio-fuels is to be achieved."
The pollution levels in India are on the rise every year across cities and the ill effects of pollution triggered by BS III and BS IV vehicles running on fossil fuels are alarming. Therefore, the Governmentâs decision to advance the timelines for BS VI emission norms is a good step in the right direction. Trucks and buses running on biofuels is another solution to reduce pollution.
Mr. Stefan Palskog, President, Scania India, said, âScania has been the pioneer in manufacturing sustainable vehicles which offer the best Total Operating Economy (TOE), and vehicles with engines which run on biofuels such as biogas, bio-ethanol, and bio-diesel. Scania has one part of the solution. But to make India truly sustainable, there is a need for a collaborative framework that brings together the Government (policy makers, STUs) and the private sector (biofuel production, waste collection and processing, vehicle manufacturers, transport companies, amongst others).â
Scania vehicles are already compliant with Euro VI (equivalent of Bharat VI) norms, with all its vehicles having the capability to run on biofuels.
Mr. Mikael Benje, Managing Director, Business Unit, Scania India, said: âScania has been synonymous with the idea of sustainability, driving the idea of âlocal waste to local fuel for local transportâ. We recognize that biofuels are one of the most sustainable solutions to reduce harmful vehicular emissions and we will introduce more Green Buses across India this year to accelerate the pace of sustainable transportation in the country.â
Since its entry into the Indian market, Scania has achieved a number of significant milestones. Through emphasising TOE and truly sustainable, safe and comfortable transport solutions Scania constantly delivered through its offerings. Scania is an active proponent of âSwach Bharatâ, âSmart Citiesâ and âMake in Indiaâ. The company is looking at doubling its current production capacity to be able to produce 2500 buses and 5000 trucks per year over the next five years, while augmenting its employee base to 1200.
About Scania India:
Scania has been represented in the Indian market since 2007. In 2011, Scania established the company Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt. Ltd. to strengthen its presence through sales to additional segments of the Indian commercial vehicle market and to widen its offer of Sustainable Transport Solutions. Scania has launched a range of on-road haulage truck models specially adapted for the Indian market â Indiaâs most powerful puller the R 580 V8 6x4, the G 460 6x4 and the G 410 6x2 and also the off-road P 410 8x4 Mining and Coal Tipper. Scania has a partnership with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in the Mining segment.
In the beginning of 2013 Scania launched a new bus range, ScaniaMetrolink 12, 13.7 and 14.5 m to meet the growing need of Safer, Sustainable and Comfortable travelling. The new bus range is purpose-designed for luxury Intercity or Charter travels.
Scania has world class experience in mobility solutions run on biofuels and Scania brings this unique offer to India. Scania handed over the first ethanol run Green Bus in India to the city of Nagpur in August 2014. Public transport on ethanol buses is a cost effective way of reducing several of the city's environmental problems. The solutions developed create the necessary preconditions for comfortable commuting and also better living conditions in city centers, without requiring major investments in new infrastructure. With this ethanol bus, Scania also introduced an engine complying with Bharat stage 5, which is a huge step to minimize emissions. Biofuels is the sustainable solution for urban public transport available here and now.
The company inaugurated its first Industrial Facility in Narasapura, Bangalore, in October, 2013 and inaugurated its first bus plant in March 2015. With a collective investment of Rs. 3 billion, this facility serves as the centre of the companyâs commercial operations in the country. The service workshop and a central parts warehouse, is housed at the same site.
Scania has a current production capacity of 2500 trucks and 1000 buses, and aims to double its capacity by 2020 with a target of selling 5000 trucks and 2500 buses annually. In next five years, Scania will also expand its employee pool to 1200 people at this facility.
Scanialaunched the companyâs engines range in India in 2013. Scania has been establishing a network of dealers across the South and Western regions of India to support the customers with the best parts and service availability.
In India, Scania buses & trucks have been specially designed to meet local conditions and customer requirements, and are backed by world class service network and dealership in the country. Scania is delivering high quality Sustainable Transportation Solutions for India. At the same time Social, Environmental and Economic Sustainability is at the core of Scaniaâs offer.
For other press material and pictures, please visit www.scania.in/media.
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