Notwithstanding the current challenges, Volvo Buses, pioneers of luxury bus transportation in the country, is preparing itself for the next stage of evolution and believes in the long-term potential the Indian market offers. We recently caught up with VRV Sriprasad, Managing Director – South Asia, Volvo Buses to discuss the road ahead for the company in India, and his dream of making the Indian operations a strategic hub for the Volvo Group.
VRV Sriprasad, Managing Director – South Asia, Volvo Buses, Division of Volvo Group India, brings with him 28 years of rich experience in varied functions, mostly in the auto industry. Prior to his current role, Sriprasad was Vice President – Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) and was responsible for sales & aftersales, marketing, network development, branding & communication, product planning & special projects. He was instrumental in the launch of the new truck brand ‘Bharat Benz’, specked and pushed creation of an attractive product portfolio of 17 platforms, conceived and built a benchmark dealership network and integrated all the CV business of Daimler within DICV. Sriprasad was selected by CII-USEFI for “The 2002 Fulbright Fellowship” at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA, and among others, he is also a recipient of “The Best Young Materials Manager of India – 1989” award from the Indian Institute of Materials Management (Lucas TVS).
ATR _ Mr Sriprasad, let us begin with your perspectives on the current business environment, and how have government policies impacted the sector?
VRV SRIPRASAD _ The last year has been a year of continuing challenges. On the demand side, we are still very subdued, buying is not forthcoming and government buying has plateaued or has stopped. The current government seems to be taking some decisions that promise long term good for the sector. However, we have to learn that change doesn’t happen just like that. There is a gestation for everything, and we ought to give ourselves some time to see the real impact of these policy interventions. We need to be patient until things take shape, and up until such time, business is going to remain a challenge.
Do you see domestic demand going up anytime soon?
Bu hikaye Auto Tech Review dergisinin December 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Auto Tech Review dergisinin December 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
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