VECV to be global manufacturing hub of engines

NEW DELHI: VE Commercial Vehicles has announced an investment of Rs 288 crore in its Pithampur plant for the production and final assembly of the Volvo group's new global medium-duty engine platform. In addition to VECV's investment in India, the Volvo group is making an additional investment of Rs 276.6 crore in Volvo's Powertrain production plants in ageo, Japan and Venissieux, France. Following this investment, it will be possible now for the Volvo group to locate most of its production of medium-duty engines to VECV’s plant in Pithampur. VECV produces about 40,000 engines per year in its existing Pithampur plant. The new investment in Pithampur will result in an annual production capacity of an additional 85,000 engines. The plant will also conduct final assembly of engines for India and all of Volvo group's global markets with Euro 3 and Euro 4 emission requirements. The new medium-duty platform comprises 5,7 and 8 litres in engine configurations from 215 to 350 horseppower. The engine's are based on the Volvo group's new PSS engines and will be manufactured to cope with emission requirements according to the Japanese PNLT(Post New Long Term), the US EPA 2010, as well as Euro 3,4,5 and 6. The 5 and 8 litre engines will be produced and assembled in India while the 70litre engine will be produced and assembled only in Japan.