For commercial vehicles, the road ahead is a challenging but interesting one. With fast changing environment where customers look for better performance, lower costs, reduced emissions and higher safety at every turn. Jacobs Vehicle Systems (JVS) is engineered to meet the series of challenges that lie ahead. For more than 50 years in the field, the company has almost revolutionized the engine braking industry at the global level.
With core competency in research, engineering and development efforts, JVS is committed to providing new engine retarders and valve actuation developments in the commercial vehicle market. It also develops integrated solutions to engineering challenges that improve overall performance of the world’s best trucks. Buoyed by its success in many markets across the globe, JVS has now set its sights on India as it looks to emerge a major player in one of the fastest growing commercial vehicle destinations worldwide.
Interacting with MOTORINDIA, Mr. Paul. F. Paré, Director, Marketing, JVS, said: “Jacobs Vehicle Systems has been in business for nearly 53 years, supplying products across the globe – to Daimler, DAF and Volvo in Europe and to Hino in Japan – and an 85 per cent penetration rate in the North American market. We also have a manufacturing facility at Suzhou in China which caters to the Chinese market. Though our penetration in China is low at the moment, the adoption rate of our technology continues to gain momentum. This will drive future penetration levels in the market.”
Developing local footprint
JVS has been in contact with a number of OEMs and is working to make them understand the premium features of its products, the high return on investment and the better total cost of ownership (TCO), a concept which has caught on markets like India. The company is now in the early stages of getting its footprint in the country.
Sharing his views on the Indian market, Mr. Trip Todd, Business Manager, JVS, stated: “We are committed to the Indian market for the long term and feel this is the right time to be here. Like in China, we need to establish a strong footprint in India as we begin to understand the market needs and logical channels of operation for us. With design, engineering, manufacturing and testing being our core competency, we are excited about our future. The market is currently going through a downturn, but when it recovers, we will be ready as we are currently in development with major OEMs to commercialize a product in the near future.”
JVS has a sales office in Mumbai with Mr. Kunal Sharma, Sales Head – India, being the in-country point of contact.
Slow but steady
Engine braking is a concept which well known in the Indian truck market but is one which might take time to completely catch up with customers. JVS has its strong presence in the segment globally, but it would have to play a patient game in India where it has to fully convince the market of the value proposition and advantages its products and solutions would offer.
“Since engine braking is a known feature in the trucking community in India, we are hopeful that we can be successful with our strategy knowing that it will take time to effect quick adoption. Creating visibility for our brand is very important as well as creating a value proposition in the market – to OEMs and particularly fleet owners and drivers who might not be aware of the product features, benefits and value. As we build our brand in the market, we will also develop tailor-made products to suit the requirements and conditions of the Indian market and its customers”, added Mr. Todd.
Having successfully manufactured its five millionth engine brake in 2013 at its facility at Bloomfield Connecticut in the US, JVS continues to register rapid growth in global markets. Similar to its focus on the Indian market, it also keeps focusing on China, the largest commercial vehicle market in the world.
Mr. Paré shared: “China is a very promising market for us because its truck production is three times the number of trucks produced in the US every year. In 2012-13, the growth rate for our product has doubled due to increased market penetration and adoption rates. We will continue focusing on this market because of its growth potential.”
In addition to its core braking business, Jacobs has also expanded into other areas with new initiatives, one of which is known as Jacobs Vehicle Systems Engineering (JVSE). This initiative is for creating awareness of Jacobs’ capabilities and competencies beyond engine retarding. “Our integrated design and manufacturing experience, demonstrated over 50 years of real world application, allows us to efficiently analyse and resolve technical issues for critical projects”, added Mr. Paré.
With technological expertise and global market experience on its side, JVS is well on its way to making a significant impact on the Indian market. With the Indian CV industry showing signs of recovery and likely to get better by the end of the year, the company is keen on making a mark with its globally-acclaimed products adapted to local conditions.