The government is heavily investing in infrastructure development with initiatives like the Bharatmala Project, which will lead to higher demand for steel and cement and is expected to further increase the demand for long-haul trucks. How does Eicher aim to keep up with the increasing demand while ensuring efficiency and avoiding the overloading of trucks?
Eicher trucks and buses have always ensured to provide best-in-class products backed by innovative solutions such as superior Uptime. We have a robust product portfolio in the light, medium and heavy-duty range, starting from 4.9T to 55T catering to the varied needs of customers. Massive projects currently ongoing in India are timebound and hence Uptime has become an important pillar for infrastructure development. Eicher is setting new benchmarks in providing a superior uptime experience on the back of connected services, competent manpower, and an ever-expanding network across the country.
Eicher provides a wide range of trucks. Which trucks are experiencing the highest sales at present? What features are currently compelling to the customers?
Eicher has a robust product portfolio in the heavyduty range; starting from 18.5T to 55T and Pro 3019, Pro 6028T, Pro 6028TM, Pro 6048, and 8035XM are some of our best-performing models in this segment. These trucks are equipped with Volvo Group technology-based VEDX 5&8L and Eicher's own E494 engines, offering from 210HP to 350HP output power and a world-class Engine Management System (EMS) based on Volvo group's global platform, and reinforced chassis make our trucks the most reliable products in their class.
All our trucks are 100 per cent connected, delivering built-to-last superior uptime. Additional features like cruise control, modern and premium cabin design, fuel coaching, Mbooster+, and an intelligent Engine Protection System (EPS) make the Eicher HD Trucks a preferred choice.
What role do you see technology playing in improving uptime in infrastructure development, and what innovations are you working on in this area?
Technology plays a key role in the development of various sectors including the automotive. CV and fleet owners today expect more visibility on the status of their vehicles and respective parts and what services are required. Eicher was the first CV player to introduce a 100 per cent connected vehicles portfolio in the country. It was one of the first manufacturers that introduced advanced telematics in the industry called ‘Eicher Live'.
Today, Eicher Live and the MyEicher app are India's most comprehensive telematics solutions for enhanced productivity and increased profitability, available as a standard fitment across the HD portfolio. The company was the first to set up its Uptime Centre, a technologically enabled facility dedicated to Uptime situated at Pithampur, that works around the clock in order to remotely detect the faults in the trucks running anywhere in India and provide them the required support thereby consistently ensuring superior uptime to customers.
It has invested heavily in improving the Uptime of Eicher vehicles by shifting from a reactive to a proactive to a predictive approach towards vehicle upkeep with real-time information sharing. Going forward technology will evolve even more, and we will continue to improvise and adapt to offer the best experience for our customers.
What initiatives is Eicher taking towards transforming its trucks into Zero emission trucks and reducing the carbon footprint?
Eicher is one of the few leading players in the industry offering all powertrain technologies to meet our customer demands a diesel, CNG, and now Electric as well.
The Eicher brand is leading our foray into electric vehicles. We have already launched Eicher Skyline Pro E, a 9-meter indigenously built electric bus with a perfect blend of Eicher's in-house EV technology and robust body design. In February 2022, we were awarded a tender to supply 40 electric buses to Chandigarh Transport which are now being successfully operated by us under the GCC model. We believe that to achieve our ambition of sustainable mobility we will need more than one alternative fuel technology and therefore are ready with solutions like LNG, Hydrogen Fuel Cell as well as Hydrogen ICE.
Through Smart Manufacturing, we are addressing our environmental impact and reducing the carbon footprint through sustainable manufacturing processes. The focus is on optimising resource use, incorporating innovative utility management systems and energy efficiency measures.
Our Smart Support Solutions provide a bouquet of services throughout the vehicle's lifecycle that ensure higher productivity and efficiency of not only the vehicles but also the drivers, further reducing their collective carbon footprint.
Finally, can you discuss the company's long-term vision for its long-haul offerings and growth in this market?
With the continuous advancement in the infrastructure segment, we expect a large part of the CV industry to shift to long-haul trucks over the coming years. In addition to already delivering a range of clean diesel and CNG today, Eicher is preparing for the future with advanced programs ongoing in alternate fuels for the long-haul segment be it LNG, EVs, Hydrogen ICE, or Hydrogen fuel cell.
