After establishing its leadership position in the market in the luxury segment for city buses and inter-city coaches, Volvo Buses is once again leading the change towards progress in the area of after sales. Today, Akash Passey, Managing Director, Volvo Buses India and Rune Lundberg, Senior Vice President-Marketing, Volvo Buses International launched another first – The Volvo Bus Centre – a successful global after sales model in India.
Volvo Buses has embarked upon restructuring its after sales service, so as to provide customers with a single point interface and an experience that is at par with international standards. Volvo Buses will soon start upgrading 5 of it service dealers across Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.
Volvo Buses currently provides after-sales support to its customers jointly with Volvo Trucks. However, with the fast changing market environment & increased concenteration of Volvo Buses in regions, these focused Volvo Bus Centres are being established.
Lundberg on his maiden visit to Mumbai said, “Asia today is driving the urban mobility and volumes and continues to be a very promising market for us. We foresee Asia to be a lead contributor with a significant share of Volvo Bus Corporation’ revenues coming from this market in the near future.
On this occasion Passey said, “Our investment to strengthen the after-sales network and provide a world-class experience will enable us to deliver the best possible service to our customers, thereby giving us an unprecedented lead in the Indian market. Our aim is to get closer to the customers and become a complete solutions provider.
This will give us an edge in providing comprehensive fleet maintenance, so customers are left to manage their business. Thus improving sales in all areas; adding to existing product sales. Workshop and full contract business and soft sales in the future will account for nearly 50% of our revenues in India
Volvo Buses also aims to start a new dealership in Mumbai, Maharashtra and is currently inviting partners to come forward for the same.
Volvo Bus Centre will provide a unique retail experience to its customers. From its current capability of offering repairs and spare part network, the new Volvo Bus Center will now additionally offer Accident Repairs, Parts Warehouse, Refurbishment, Special Bus Technicians and Soft Offers that will provide a complete Volvo Brand Experience such as Merchandise, Advisory services and Training amongst others.
Customers will now be able to obtain assistance from choosing a vehicle to obtaining certified service, prompt provision of spare parts.
Volvo today has over 75% market share in the luxury inter-city AC coach segment and over 50% market share in the AC Diesel Low Floor City buses, which are present across 11 cities in the country.
The company grew by about 30% in 2009 and expects to keep up a strong growth momentum in this year and the coming years.