Force Motors has launched a 26-seater monocoque panel people-mover.

The Traveller 26 is powered by common rail diesel engine made under licence from Diamler AG, and is packed with dual mass fly wheel technology that helps absorb low-end vibrations and has disc brakes.

The Pune-based company, which is into LCVs, buses, tractors and sports utility vehicles, has a market share of about 50 per cent in the 6-20 seater segment.

It is now looking at a market share of about 20 per cent in the 20-30 seater segment, Naresh Kumar Rattan, Chief Operating Officer of Force Motors, said.

Addressing a press conference here after launching its bus priced between Rs 11,24,535 and Rs 14,84,746 for the luxury A/C range, Rattan said the company sold over 13,238 vehicles of the 22,500 sold in the country last year.

“We are looking at sales of 1,300 vehicles in the 20-30 seater range this year and about 4,500 vehicles next financial year,’’ he said.

The company closed with revenues of Rs 2,085 crore in 2011-12 and expects a growth of 25-30 per cent this year. The new range is expected to add Rs 450 crore next financial year, he said.

Aniruddha Kulkarni, Chief Technology Officer, said the company is working on several new models across its vehicle range. It has earmarked a capex of Rs 1,000 crore for capacity expansion and new model roll-out.

The company is also in the process of revamping its tractor business. This will also see new product launches.

“In fact, from a high sales volume of about 4,000 it had slipped. But we are in the process of revamping and introducing new models. Last year, we sold 1,700 tractors and expects to sell about 3,000 this year,’’ Rattan said.

>rishikumar.vundi@tehindu.co.i n

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