Deccan Auto has set up its first integrated bus manufacturing unit in Hyderabad, India, entailing an investment of $39m.
The plant, with an annual installed capacity of 3,000 units a year, is sprawled over 18 acres with a covered area of 200,000ft2. It is armed with modern testing facilities, along with a paint booth.
The company will also induct around 400 vehicles this year, which is further expected to touch 700 by 2017-end.
Telangana Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao is scheduled to flag off the facility, accredited by ARAI (Automative Research Association of India), at Kodakachani village in Medak district.
Deccan Auto chairman MSRV Prasad said: "The Deccan Auto bus manufacturing facility is another milestone in the company's strategic plans for India. It will be a world-class facility which will serve both domestic and export markets in Asia and Africa where the group has a very big presence in the Cement and Steel Industry.
"We are committed to bring in the best technology and manufacturing practices to the Indian Bus Industry", he added.
Deccan Auto has a technical tie-up with Zhongtong of China, a company held by the government exporting to over 30 countries.
Corona Buses would be in Hyderabad Deccan Plant. The order book currently flaunts more than 300 buses and the company aims at adding another 1000 buses this year. Deccan Auto and Corona eye doubling its output to 6,000 units of buses in the next six years.
Corona Buses, which is based on the monocoque design, will put its thrust on city bus and sleeper coaches and will range from 8m to 18m in length.
Besides, Deccan Buses, along with Zhongtong Bus Holding, will make luxury coaches with rear engines, air suspension and airconditioning, among others. The buses will be available in the length variants - 8m, 12m and 13.7m. The 12m and the 13.7m buses will be armed with the facilities of toilets, pantry and individual Audio Visual Systems.
