JCB launches BS III diesel engine for its off road vehicles

Construction equipment maker JCB India today launched a locally produced Bharat Stage-III emission compliant diesel engine for its off road vehicles.

The company has invested Rs 130 crore in developing this engine, which will be produced from its Ballabhgarh facility in Haryana.

"India is JCB's largest market and the group's commitment continues with this first specifically designed off-highway engine. This engine is specifically adapted for Indian conditions," JCB India MD and CEO Vipin Sondhi told reporters here.

The company will start producing the engine from April onwards and these will be fitted in its vehicles only, he added.

"The new engines will come in a range of 76 HP to 150 HP. From April 1 all our vehicles in this range will have the BS III engine," Sondhi said.

The company has an installed capacity to manufacture 40,000 engines per year at Ballabhgarh. Sondhi said the company will primarily use these engines for the domestic market, while later it may explore possibilities to supply to other JCB group companies.

When asked about sales he said: "Last year we sold about 21,000 units of machines. In 2011 we hope to grow 15 per cent."

The Indian construction equipment market is estimated to be 40,000 units per year, he added.

The company has recently started exports to Indonesia and SAARC countries but with a very limited number.

The company has two manufacturing facilities at Ballabhgarh and Pune with a total installed capacity to produce 30,000 units of various machines per year.

It offers 23 models across five categories at a price between Rs 20 lakh to 45 lakh.