Starting with India, the Volvo Group takes an important strategic step with the introduction of a UD bus range developed specifically for growth markets. In India, UD Buses aims to develop and lead the value segment.
This was announced today at a press meeting in Bangalore, India, attended by Håkan Agnevall, President of Volvo Group’s bus operations and Akash Passey, Senior Vice President, Volvo Group’s bus operation, responsible for the Asian markets. UD buses are first introduced in India. Additional growth markets will follow over the coming years.
“In India we foresee that UD Buses will take the lead in developing the value segment. There is a large potential middle segment in India, of which, the value segment targeted has a high growth potential. The Volvo Group will play a significant role in enhancing quality of transportation for an increased number of citizens,” said Akash Passey, Senior Vice President, Volvo Group’s bus operations, responsible for the international markets including Asia.
The UD bus brand will expand Volvo Group’s customer base, improve competitiveness and capture growth opportunities in India. The bus range will include both city buses and coaches.
The new UD bus range will be developed by leveraging the Volvo Group’s global engineering network in combination with its heritage of Japanese craftsmanship and reliability. The new bus range will be supported by the Volvo Group’s distribution network, providing service and parts. UD buses will offer passengers a modern transport solution while at the same time focusing on operational essentials: fuel efficiency, reliability and optimized uptime.
“UD buses have had a strong brand presence in Japan and South East Asia in the past. Now we renew and adapt the buses for growth markets, starting with India. This is a brand with a proud heritage, marked by its core value of ultimate dependability. It will offer passengers a modern travel experience and fulfil the specific needs of the customers in the value segment. With a multi-brand approach we look forward to playing an even more important role in the Indian bus market,” said Håkan Agnevall, President, Volvo Group’s bus operations.
The production of UD buses will start in Bangalore in 2014. The first buses will reach the customers later this year. Besides serving the domestic Indian market, the UD bus plant in India will also serve as an export hub in the future.
