Volvo Penta has a focus on specific segments in order to optimise drivetrain and engine installations. Miron Thoms, Vice President and Head, Volvo Penta India, explains more on the company's plans for Indian market.

What are your plans to further consolidate the local market presence since Volvo Penta has started local production?
In April 2017, Volvo Penta started the production of the new engine platform, 5- and 8-litre industrial engines, at the VE Powertrain (VEPT) plant in Pithampur. The first response from our Indian customers has been very positive. Indian OEMs benefit from our 'Make in India' initiative due to shorter lead times, reduced freight and duty expenses. Also, we are now closer to our customers and proud to produce in India. The new engine platform manufactured in Pithampur offers low fuel consumption and improved reliability. To even further improve uptime, our engine portfolio is backed up by Volvo Penta's efficient service network and world leading parts distribution system available in India.

The new engine 5 L and 8 L is also designed for meeting global emission regulations based on the same base engine offering OEMs a simple engine room design for all markets.

This helps OEMs to reduce R&D costs and reduce variants. These are benefits for Indian OEMs for both, domestic as well as global demands and support Volvo Penta's strategy to accelerated growth in India.

Which are the off-highway business verticals that Volvo Penta will be targeting in India?

We at Volvo Penta are not just an engine supplier, but rather see ourselves as an engine partner. Experience and synergies with the Volvo Group from the automotive and construction segment we share with our customers and partners. Volvo Penta has a focus on specific segments in order to optimise drivetrain and engine installations. The targeted segments are construction, power generation, mining, material handling, agriculture as well as special applications.

What are the engine ratings offered to the targeted business verticals?
The Volvo Group has decided to reduce the engine platform to five base engines, 5 L, 8 L, 11 L, 13 L and 16 L displacement. Except the D5 four-cylinder engine, all engines have an inline six configuration.

The 5-litre and 8-litre engine ranging from 105 kW to 235 kW are made in India. The 11-litre, 13-litre, and 16-litre are available from 235 kW to a maximum rating of 565 kW.

For the power generation segment, Volvo Penta offers 85 kVA to 650 kVA. The most powerful 650 kVA rated TWD1653GE is certified for CPCB2 can be operated as standard in ambient temperatures as high as 52¦C. This engine is the most powerful engine for power generation in its displacement class.

Could you elaborate on the aftermarket services of Volvo Penta in India?
Volvo Penta is continuously improving its aftermarket network and increases the number of touch-points in India. Today, we are present at 61 locations with more than 85 touch points throughout the country. Our regional warehouse and parts distribution centre is located in Bangalore and offers customers high parts availability. Volvo Penta provides global aftermarket support in 130 countries to support OEMs to trade in both the domestic and export markets. We continuously train our dealers and technicians to further improve their competence levels.

To further support our ambitious growth strategy, Volvo Penta is establishing a new exclusive training centre coming up in Bangalore soon.

Do you have plans for new product support initiatives apart from the current services?
In addition to our service agreements, we have various soft offers which are served to customers through our dealers. One example is the Volvo Penta oil analysis, a preventive maintenance tool, which helps to stay one step ahead by increasing uptime. Also, the new Volvo Penta Action Service is now available for end-customers around the world in 18 languages, 24x7.