Dimitrov Krishnan, Managing Director, Volvo Construction Equipment India 

What are the new products you are showcasing at Excon 2025?

At Excon this year, Volvo Construction Equipment will spotlight our core strengths across mining, compaction, urban infrastructure, and quarry segments. We are showcasing a range of India-focused solutions that reflect our commitment to innovation, safety, sustainability, and superior fuel efficiency.

A key highlight will be the launch of India’s most advanced 5+ tonne wheel loader, alongside a new addition to our medium excavator portfolio. Both products underscore our dedication to delivering high-performance, productive, and environmentally conscious machines engineered specifically for India’s evolving infrastructure landscape

How are your machines addressing the demand for efficiency, safety, and sustainability in India’s infrastructure growth?

Our equipment has been designed to provide definite benefits to customers in productivity, safety and sustainability that contribute positively to India's future infrastructure requirements. We improve productivity through fuel efficient engines, streamline hydraulic systems and operator assisted control systems which help improve operating costs, consistency and output. 

Safety is a priority for us and we address it through greater visibility, roomy and ergonomically designed cabs, smarter alerts and advanced safety systems that reduce risk in busy, fast-paced environments. When it comes to sustainability, we build it into every aspect we can, with lower emissions and improved fuel economy, remanufacturing and refurbishing key components, and extending the life of our equipment. 

We are also committed to increasing localisation wherever possible to enhance serviceability and reduce transportation-related emissions. These efforts enable our customers to deliver projects on time while meeting the expectations of a responsible, cost-effective, and community-focused operation.

With India focusing on mega infrastructure projects, how do you see the demand evolving for large vs. mid-sized/small equipment?

There is increased demand in both heavy duty and medium-sized equipment as India advances with highways, metro stations, mining activities and large logistics projects. The trend is for moving towards larger machines, which are capable of higher output with shorter cycle times and aid with tough contract scheduling. However, medium-sized and compact equipment is still critical for urban works, state road projects and smaller sites, where agility, transportability and lower cost of operation are paramount. 

It is not that one segment of equipment is replacing another, but instead India's fleets are rebalancing as contractors quote for a wider range of applications. This dual demand trend in heavy-duty and medium-sized equipment mirrors the variety of India’s project pipeline and catering to the requirements of being efficient and effective in both large projects, and projects converged in location and facilities.

What role does localisation play in your product strategy for India?

Localisation is essential to delivering competitively priced products that meet India’s performance and service expectations. It strengthens our supply chain, reduces lead times, and lowers total cost of ownership for customers. 

Local manufacturing also allows us to quickly incorporate customer feedback and tailor machines to India’s terrain, duty cycles, and climate. It supports our sustainability goals by reducing logistics-related emissions and aligns with national priorities like ‘Make in India.’ With localised parts and stronger service preparedness, we combine global technology with India-specific engineering to deliver high-performance, reliable, and well-supported machines.

How is your company addressing after-sales service and spare parts availability in remote project sites?

The location of a project site does not falter our services, we help remote project sites by providing a strong dealer network, teams in the field, and predictive maintenance tools. Mobile service technicians and units provide assistance, even in areas that are hard to reach. CareTrack telematics allows remote diagnostics so teams can quickly detect an issue and procure component parts in advance (to repair equipment). 

Our uptime centres allow dealer technicians to consult with experts shortening repair times and increasing machine availability. Fast moving parts are stocked based on fleet profiles and job needs to minimise downtime. This comprehensive, integrated approach provides consistent performance, reliable service, and parts availability which are critical when contributing to reliable project schedules in remote areas.

What are your growth priorities for the Indian market in the next three to five years?

Over the next three to five years, we will continue to focus on strengthening our position in core segments such as mining, road construction, and urban infrastructure, while expanding our presence in high-growth areas like mid-sized excavators and compact equipment. We will continue to accelerate localisation, develop India-centric products, and invest in our supplier ecosystem. Strengthening aftermarket solutions, digital services, and our Uptime Center will remain key to delivering higher machine availability and customer value. 

At the same time, we are committed to advancing sustainability through more fuel-efficient machines and supporting the industry’s shift toward cleaner technologies. Together, these priorities position Volvo CE to support India’s rapid infrastructure growth with reliable, high-performance solutions.

How do you see the rental equipment ecosystem shaping demand for your products?

The rental ecosystem is increasingly shaping demand as customers look for flexibility, lower upfront costs, and predictable operating expenses. This makes reliable, fuel-efficient, and easy-to-maintain machines more critical than ever, areas where Volvo CE is strong. The industry is also moving toward usage-based models, and Volvo CE supports this shift through our Equipment-as-a-Service offering, giving customers access to high-uptime, productive machines without the need for long-term ownership commitments.