Business reported that Force Motors has launched a 26 seater monocoque panel people mover.

The Traveller 26 is powered by common rail diesel engine made under licence from Diamler AG, and is packed with dual mass fly wheel technology that helps absorb low end vibrations and has disc brakes.

Mr Naresh Kumar Rattan COO of Force Motors said that the Pune based company, which is into LCVs, buses, tractors and sports utility vehicles has a market share of about 50% in the 6 to 20 seater segment. It is now looking at a market share of about 20% in the 20 to 30 seater segment.

Addressing a press conference here after launching its bus priced between INR 11,24,535 and INR 14,84,746 for the luxury A/C range, Mr Rattan said that the company sold over 13,238 vehicles of the 22,500 sold in the country last year.

Mr Rattan said that “We are looking at sales of 1,300 vehicles in the 20 to 30 seater range this year and about 4,500 vehicles next financial year. The company closed with revenues of INR 2,085 crore in 2011-12 and expects a growth of 25% to 30% this year. The new range is expected to add INR 450 crore next financial year”

Ms Aniruddha Kulkarni chief technology officer said that the company is working on several new models across its vehicle range. It has earmarked a capex of INR 1,000 crore for capacity expansion and new model rollout.

Mr Rattan further added that “In fact, from a high sales volume of about 4,000 it had slipped. But we are in the process of revamping and introducing new models. Last year, we sold 1,700 tractors and expects to sell about 3,000 this year.’’

Source – Business Line

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