Subros, one of India’s most reputed brands in the field of automotive air-conditioning and thermal products, is sharpening its focus on the retail segment of the commercial vehicle sector this year. The company, a dominant player in the small bus segment, is looking to expand its presence in the bus air-conditioning and truck refrigeration space, with efforts to penetrate into the retail segment by connecting with fleet operators and bus body builders across the country.
“Our aim of participating in Busworld was to meet fleet operators because our main focus this year is on the retail segment. We have had good response from both OEMs and fleet operators at the show. This is good for us because bus AC and truck refrigeration are an important part of our plan for the next couple of years”, says Mr. Pankaj Mehra, DGM – AM, Exports & Marcom, Subros Ltd.
With technology back-up from Japanese giant Denso, Subros has gained good acceptance in the Indian market. Its new 45 kw unit for 12 to 14 m bus is currently under trial and is set to hit the market by mid-June, following which the company will have a complete range of bus ACs compatible for any bus model.
In terms of volumes, Subros is one of the largest players in the Indian bus AC market, mainly driven by its exclusive supplier arrangement with Force Motors for the Traveller. On the OEM front, Subros is in talks with some of the leading bus makers in the country, including Tata Motors for its 7 m, 9 m and 12 m buses, and is also in discussion with Ashok Leyland and Corona, apart from many other bus body builders. It has also stepped up its focus on aftersales service with a new company-owned and operated service centre in Delhi, while its new service van concept is a first of its kind in the Indian bus air-conditioning industry.
The company is maintaining a positive market outlook for the next few months and expects good industry growth in the current year.