AMW to launch new truck models in FY '10

Co gears up for 31 tonner vehicle

Having concluded expansion of its heavy duty truck manufacturing facility at Bhuj, Asia Motor Works Limited (AMW) is now shifting gears to roll out some new models this year. Having established its presence in the 25 tonne and 49 tonne category with a product portfolio of around 14 truck models, AMW is planning to launch a spate of truck models including a 31 tonner.

Talking about the company plans to Business Standard, Anirudh Bhuwalka, managing director and CEO of AMW said, "We have recently expanded our heavy duty truck plant in Bhuj. Now in an effort of plugging more variation, we plan to launch more new models including a 31 tonner. Currently, we have a product portfolio of 14 models which we intend to increase gradually. We are working on the 3118 model (49 tonner) which is in the final stages of production."

AMW plans to strengthen its product offerings in the above segments with 8x2 rigid vehicles in the heavy haulage segment. The company expects that these will be available by the end of the year. Moreover, AMW will also add to its range of fully built vehicles with products for special applications in the mining and construction industries like concrete pump trucks, and concrete mixers, among others. The company is focused on two segments in the heavy duty trucks segment i.e. 25 tonne haulage and fully built vehicles for construction and mining and 49 tonne tractors and tractor trailers, apart from a 25 tonne 6x2 truck for the heavy duty haulage segment, priced at Rs 14.5 lakh.

The manufacturing facility at Bhuj in Gujarat which has an installed capacity of 24,000 fully built vehicles such as tippers. In addition to trucks, the facility has a capacity of 15 million units for wheel rims and 45,000 tonnes of press metal sheets and components. For expansion of the Bhuj facility, AMW made an overall investment of Rs 750 crore.

According to Bhuwalka, the current truck market in India tends to be around 2,25,000 including both medium and heavy duty, of which AMW currently manufactures about 6,000 trucks.

Operating with a capacity of 10,000 commercial vehicles, AMW plans to increase to 50,000 by the end of financial year 2009-10.