Force Motors Working on a high-end MPV based on Mercedes-Benz Viano

Like CarDekho earlier reported that Force Motors is working on a MPV based on Mercedes-Benz Viano, the company has now officially said that it is developing a high-end multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in collaboration with the German auto giant Daimler AG, as part of its Rs 1,000 crore investment plans, a top official reveals. Currently Force Motors has a tie-up with Mercedes for sourcing engines for its products.

Force Motors' Chief Operating Officer (Tractor Division) and President (Corporate sales & marketing), Naresh Kumar Rattan said, that the company will also establish a new assembly line for manufacturing the said vehicle at its its manufacturing facility in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh.

Explaining the plans more, he adds,"We want to have a multi-purpose high end van. It is right now under development. We have to put an assembly line in the factory in Pithampur.It will take the existing plant into a new level", he told reporters here. Declining to reveal further he said, "It will be a high-end low passenger carrying multi-purpose van. The tie-up with Daimler has been done. It will be for buying technologies from them".

He also said that the company's focus would be on the proposed high-end MPV and the Force one SUV. The company is also considering to launch two-three variants of its flagship SUV, the Force one. So revealing about the same, he says, "It may be 4/4 wheel drive, ABSvariants.We want to have at least two to three variants (in Force One)", On the launch ceremony of 26 seater mini-bus Traveller 26, Rattan said,"Traveller is one area we must build upon. By bringing the high-end van we will further strengthen ourbusiness",he said.

The company is looking to sell about 4,500 units of Traveller  which the formal production would begin in January 2013. "We have started with schoolbus(variant). The air-conditioned bus showcased here is a prototype. In January the full production will begin. We expect to sell about 4,500 units". The company is aiming to sell about 14,000 light commercial vehicles in 2012-13, taking the Trand brand's sales figures to 11,000 units this year as against the last year's 9000 units. The company that currently exports Trax, Traveller to African market, has also said to take the all new Traveller 26 there, with an expected 1800 export units.