Petrol Stop

Force Motors to launch hybrid version of 'Traveller'

Thursday, 22 December 2011

22 Dec 2011;business-standard.com:New Delhi: Force Motors today said it will launch a hybrid variant of its commercial vehicle 'Traveller' by the end of 2012 after unveiling to the public at the upcoming Auto Expo next month. The company will also launch a nine-seater multi-purpose vehicle, being developed under a license from German auto giant Daimler, by 2013 with price ranging around of Rs 12 lakh-15 lakh. "We are showcasing a hybrid concept of the Traveller at the Delhi Auto Expo in January. It will be a parallel hybrid that utilises solar energy as well as has regenerative exhaust systems," Force Motors Managing Director Prasan Firodia told reporters here. The company is developing the technology in association with a firm from the UK, he added. "We will commercially launch the vehicle within a year from now. This will be manufactured at our Pithampur plant in Madhya Pradesh," Firodia said. Beside, the company will also showcase a CNG version of the Traveller during the auto show at the National Capital from January 5-11. Talking about its association with Daimler, Firodia said: "We have tied up with the German firm to produce a nine-seater van under a licence agreement. We will launch the vehicle in Indian market in 2013." In July this year, the domestic firm had tied up with Daimler for comprehensive supply of product technology for the proposed multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Asked about the price of the new vehicle, he said: "This will be a completely new category. Although we have decided yet, it will be in the range of Rs 12 lakh-Rs 15 lakh." Force Motors currently uses a 2.2 litre common rail engine, the OM 611, in Traveller range of vehicles. Variants of this engine will be adapted for installation in the MPV, the company had earlier said. The company is setting up a new facility at Pithampur for this MPV with a capacity of 24,000 units per annum, to be attained in two equal phases. Elaborating on the agreement, Firodia said: "We have bought a complete vehicle under licence. Though we cannot export it to Europe, but we can still sell it in neighbouring nations like Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh."