The Hindu Business Line : Force Motors signs pact with MAN Nutzfahrzeuge to make heavy trucks

MR Anton Weinmann, Chairman of the board of MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group, and Mr Abhay Firodia, Chairman and Managing Director of Force Motors Ltd (formerly Bajaj Tempo Ltd), have signed a Letter of Intent for the joint manufacture of heavy trucks.

The detailed contracts, which will include agreements on purchase, development, production and marketing, would be worked out and signed during the first quarter of 2006. Production for the Indian market is being planned during the same year, Mr Firodia said here on Wednesday. The joint venture would be for producing trucks for the Asian region. In the medium term, a production of 24,000 vehicles annually has been planned. Mr Firodia, however, noted that no export of vehicles to Europe has been envisaged.

Commenting on the joint venture, Mr Weinmann said, "With Force Motors we were able to find a partner, with whom we are not only in a position to manufacture at MAN quality, but one who also is ideally integrated into a network of Indian component suppliers. That means we will make a truck, which is optimised for the Asian markets — produced completely from local components and at the same time will be based on proven MAN technology.''

Mr Firodia said steps have been taken to establish a strong base to support this concept as "we are convinced that the rapidly developing Indian transport scenario can benefit greatly from the induction of vehicles based on the most fuel-efficient, safe, reliable and environment-friendly MAN technologies.''

Currently MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group has licence agreements with Force Motors for producing trucks in the 16-25-tonne range.

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