Polls perk up demand for customised vehicles

With elections fast approaching, the demand for customised vehicles is on the rise. While there is a rush from media channels for outdoor broadcasting vans, various political parties too are placing indents for vehicles for electioneering.

Though only a value-addition to the automobile, these works are giving the much-needed boost to Hyderabad-based Deccan Engineering Enterprises, an automobile body building company, whose revenues have fluctuated heavily due to the fall in steel prices during the past few months.

“Political parties are basically asking us to design vehicles for travel comfort, or for using it as a podium to address large gatherings or a combination of both. They want rich interiors with an A-C, a bed, a spacious sitting area, power generators, TV and internet, a public address system and a toilet among others,” said company general manager J Vivek Anand.

The newly-launched Praja Rajyam party launched by actor Chiranjeevi got three vehicles customised. One of the vehicles has a deck built into it to address meetings apart from furnished compartments. Another has multimedia facilities while the third vehicle has been specifically designed for facilitating night halts.

Deccan Engineering is currently building its third electioneering vehicle and is hopeful of seeing at least a dozen more during the campaigning period. Depending on the specifications, the value-additions cost anywhere from Rs 2 lakh to 20 lakh.

“Bigger and better is the idea. There are more gadgets than before in the electioneering vehicles,” said Anand, adding that the parties are insisting on bold graphics on the vehicles.

The company has also secured orders from various electronic media houses for about two dozen OB vans. Though most of them are using Innovas and Taveras for conversion, there are a few who are using Tempo Travellers for OB vans. The bigger vehicles have a mobile studio and a sitting space to work on computers. A bulk of them would be delivered around February end or in early March. These orders are expected to bring in revenues of Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore to the company, he said.

DEE is also looking at securing sizable orders for bullet-proofing during the election season.