The year gone by was undoubtedly the toughest year one would have seen in many decades. The pandemic that started in March 2020 brought the whole country, including the commercial vehicle industry and over 10 million trucks, to a screeching halt — paralysing cargo movement completely. While the economy has now started reviving, various industries are still facing the adverse effects of last year. Hence, it is critical now for every sector, including the transportation industry, which is the backbone of the economy and the barometer of the economic health of the country, to work harder and non-stop to make up for the lost time.
What will matter now is efficiency, and to achieve that every company whether they are into on-road logistics or off-road applications, will need to optimise their performance by using trucks that deliver enhanced performance, higher productivity, more trips and higher uptime in this ever-changing business scenario post-pandemic. Today there is a need for a partner that can help these companies deliver beyond the usual norms with a smart combination of highly efficient products and customised services.
Robust Products with Uptime
VE Commercial Vehicles Limited (VECV) is known to offer a robust product portfolio in the heavy-duty range, starting from 18.5T to 55T and Pro 3019, Pro 6028T, Pro 6028TM, Pro 6048 and 8035XM are some of its best performing models in this segment. These heavy-duty trucks and buses are equipped with VEDX 5 and 8L and E494 engines, offering from 210 HP to 350 HP output power and world-class engine management system (EMS) based on Volvo Group’s global platform, high pressure Denso FIE system and reinforced Domex chassis to make them the most reliable products in their class. These 100 per cent connected BS VI vehicles are powered by Eicher Live, delivering built-to-last superior uptime.
Additional features like cruise control, modern and premium cabin design, fuel coaching, Mbooster+ and intelligent engine protection system (EPS) make the Eicher heavy duty trucks a preferred choice. While the buses are mostly chosen for intercity, route permit and staff applications, the trucks are mostly chosen for segments like construction, mining, logistics, etc. Alongside these unique propositions, Eicher also has an always customer-first philosophy that offers a compelling ownership experience with performance, reliability and competitive total cost of ownership.
The company over these years has remained at the forefront to introduce trucks with higher power and torque combinations by bringing the Pro series of trucks with world-class technology, modern cabin and intelligent features that offer higher productivity. Continuing with the same philosophy, the company’s all-new EUTECH6 trucks have been tested for 5.6 million kilometres. These products are built on the proven Volvo Group engine technology that has set a benchmark in the industry for uptime. One such example is the Pro 8000 mining trucks that have crossed 36,000 engine hours in five years. These trucks are built with robust and durable aggregates coupled with the engine protection system that ensure trucks keep on running.
A Connected Ecosystem
In the age of technology, CV and fleet owners today expect more visibility on the status of their vehicles and respective parts and what services are required. Addressing these, the company has made significant investments in its digitalization initiatives. It was one of the first manufacturers that introduced advanced telematics in the industry called ‘Eicher Live’. This is India’s most comprehensive telematics solution for enhanced productivity and increased profitability, available as a standard fitment across the complete range of trucks and buses. It provides real-time dashboard data analytics of the fleet, tracking the most important factors including fuel management and remote fault identification, thus allowing customers to plan their operations and maintenance.
The company has also set up India’s first Eicher Uptime Centre, a technologically enabled facility dedicated for uptime situated at Pithampur. It works round-the-clock in order to remotely detect faults in trucks running anywhere in India and provide them the required support, thereby consistently ensuring superior uptime to customers. It has invested heavily on improving the uptime of Eicher vehicles by shifting from reactive to proactive to predictive approach towards vehicle upkeep with real-time information sharing. All this work is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to build products that last, ensuring 100 per cent connected ecosystem and offering customised services for its customers.
Importance of Unstoppable Experience
Now, when it comes to delivering superior uptime, it’s not just products but people and processes and a partner that can deliver beyond. Ensuring trucks are always running means being available wherever your trucks are. Eicher was one of the first to introduce Eicher on-road service (EOS) in the industry that provides round-the-clock assistance to customers. This becomes extremely crucial to support on long-haul applications when customers cannot afford a lost schedule. To get back on the road as quickly as possible is a priority.
Furthermore, to ensure a seamless service experience, Eicher has been developing an ever-growing robust dealership network. It offers 350+ GPS-enabled EOS vans with expert technicians and tools, 480+ wide dealer network across the country, customer touch-points including retails centres, site support and 3,200+ outlets of EGP Shoppe to ensure its service and support is available whenever required, anywhere and anytime. The company has also introduced Eicher site support especially for mining and construction customers where the sites are mostly remotely located and need hassle-free support round-the-clock to ensure the projects run smoothly and timely.
At Eicher, customers have always been at the centre of any initiative and the company understands that for customers to become prosperous their trucks need to operate continuously. Delivering these unique propositions, Eicher trucks today are fully prepared to meet demand in a position to supply high productivity with robust products that are reliable with a high service life and have proven their mettle under tough operating conditions across a variety of applications.