At Volvo CE, customer success is at the heart of everything we do.
Volvo CE offers a comprehensive and versatile product portfolio designed to meet the complex demands of India’s construction and infrastructure sectors. In an exclusive interview to CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES, DIMITROV KRISHNAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, VOLVO CE INDIA PVT LTD, gives his views on the Indian CE market, game changing technologies, skillinz`g initiatives and a lot more.
Give us an overview on the Indian CE market, latest technology trends, and market dynamics.
The Indian construction equipment (CE) market stands at a transformative juncture, fueled by visionary government initiatives, technological advancements, and surging infrastructure demands. With the nation’s goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047, the importance of advanced, efficient construction solutions has never been greater. India is already the third-largest CE market globally, and projections indicate it could become the leader by 2035.
What makes this era remarkable is not just the scale of investments but the execution velocity. Whether it’s national highways, metro rail systems, ports, or rural connectivity, compressed project timelines demand cutting-edge machinery and higher degrees of mechanization. Sustainability is also emerging as a crucial pillar, driven by India’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
At Volvo CE, this pivotal phase allows us to drive infrastructure growth to drive infrastructure growth with solutions that set benchmarks in fuel efficiency, electrification, and digital technologies, shaping the future of construction in India.
Tell us about your product portfolio of equipment. Detail us on the game-changing technology/products developed by your company.
Volvo CE offers a comprehensive and versatile product portfolio designed to meet the complex demands of India’s construction and infrastructure sectors. From excavators and wheel loaders to articulated haulers and compactors, each machine embodies a commitment to performance, efficiency, and sustainability.
Our flagship products include the EC950 excavator, a powerhouse for heavy-duty mining and infrastructure tasks, and the L350H wheel loader, known for unmatched durability and productivity. The A60H articulated hauler exemplifies hauling efficiency and is a preferred choice for challenging terrains.
A recent addition is the EC210 excavator—a 20-ton machine specifically designed for India, featuring 70% localized components. It offers significant fuel savings, striking the ideal balance between affordability and performance for local contractors.
As pioneers in electric construction equipment, Volvo CE introduced battery-electric loaders and excavators in 2023, along with grid-connected cable excavators suited for mining. These innovations underscore our focus on sustainability, offering customers cleaner alternatives such as battery-electric loaders and excavators without compromising productivity.
Additionally, our “Equipment as a Service” (EaaS) model breaks traditional ownership paradigms, enabling customers to access advanced machinery with flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
Cutting-edge technologies featured in your machines and details of the benefits accrued to your end user from the digital technologies in your machines.
Volvo CE integrates advanced technologies into its machines to enhance performance, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
Our CareTrack telematics system provides real-time data insights, empowering customers to manage fleets more efficiently through predictive maintenance and optimized fuel consumption. These actionable insights translate into lower operational costs and reduced downtime.
Volvo’s Eco Mode, available across multiple machines, ensures fuel efficiency without compromising performance, addressing a key operational challenge for contractors. Additionally, our compactors come with advanced variable frequency technology, enabling precise compaction across diverse soil types.
By leveraging IoT and AI-driven solutions, Volvo CE delivers intelligent systems tailored for evolving project needs, helping customers optimize productivity even in compressed timelines.
What sort of customer-centric initiatives has your company undertaken to be one step ahead of the competition?
At Volvo CE, customer success is at the heart of everything we do. We go beyond providing world-class machinery—we focus on creating meaningful partnerships that support customers in meeting evolving market challenges.
One of our key initiatives is operator training and upskilling through mobile simulators and training centers in partnership with the Infrastructure Equipment Sector Council (IESC). By training operators from zero skill levels to junior professionals, we help bridge the talent gap while boosting site efficiency and safety.
Our Equipment as a Service model offers greater flexibility by shifting the focus from ownership to usage. Customers benefit from cutting-edge machines without the financial burden of capital investment, while we ensure uptime and operational excellence.
Additionally, our robust after-sales network ensures customers receive timely parts, maintenance support, and expert guidance to minimize downtime and maximize performance.
Has your company launched any new machines or launching anything new in the near future?
Volvo CE recently introduced the EC210 excavator, a machine specifically engineered for India, delivering advanced hydraulic technology and localized components to meet the needs of Indian contractors.
Looking ahead, we are preparing to roll out CEV Stage V-compliant machines, including soil compactors and asphalt compactors in early 2025. These machines will meet the highest safety and emission standards, aligning with India’s push for greener construction solutions.
Our future roadmap emphasizes expanding our electric and hybrid equipment portfolio, including battery-electric and grid-connected solutions, to help customers implement advanced green technologies and efficient practices in construction.
Major demands made by end-users of your equipment. Is there a shift from initial cost price to TCO in Buyer Decisions? Importance of Aftermarket Services.
End-users of Volvo CE equipment consistently demand higher fuel efficiency, enhanced durability, operator comfort, and advanced digital technologies to optimize operations. The industry is indeed witnessing a shift from a focus solely on initial cost to Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Buyers now recognize the long-term financial and operational benefits of machines that offer lower fuel consumption, higher productivity, and reduced maintenance costs.
Volvo CE supports this shift by integrating innovative technologies such as CareTrack, which provides real-time operational insights, and Eco Mode for improved fuel efficiency. Our machines are designed for longer lifespans and greater operational reliability, minimizing unexpected downtime.
Aftermarket services have become increasingly critical. Volvo CE’s robust service network ensures customers receive timely maintenance, genuine parts, and technical support, all of which contribute to maximizing equipment uptime and operational efficiency.
Do you practice ‘Make in India and Sell Globally’, using your India manufacturing base to supply to the global market?
Yes, Volvo CE fully embraces the ‘Make in India and Sell Globally’ philosophy. Our manufacturing facility in Bengaluru produces world-class compactors and excavators that are exported to markets across Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
By leveraging local manufacturing capabilities, we not only meet domestic demand but also achieve competitive pricing through localized production and supply chain efficiencies. Our localized production strategies have allowed us to achieve greater supply chain efficiency while adhering to global quality standards.
Additionally, Volvo CE’s competence center in India contributes to global product development by providing software solutions and advanced engineering support for products worldwide.
What measures has your company taken to enhance skill development in the construction equipment sector?
Volvo CE places a strong emphasis on skill development to address the evolving needs of the construction equipment industry. We have partnered with the Infrastructure Equipment Sector Council (IESC) and various training institutions to establish certified training programs across India.
These initiatives include operator training centers equipped with Volvo machinery and content, where individuals are trained from zero skill levels to become competent machine operators. Our mobile simulators provide on-site upskilling opportunities, enabling operators to enhance their skills directly at job sites.
In addition to training operators, Volvo CE actively invests in dealer and service partner development programs, ensuring that technicians are well-equipped to handle the latest technologies and maintenance protocols.
Your outlook for the Indian CE market. Which sectors will be the major demand drivers?
The outlook for the Indian CE market remains highly optimistic. With continued government investments in infrastructure development, we anticipate steady growth over the next decade.
Key demand drivers include the roads and highways sector, driven by projects under the Bharatmala initiative, and the metro rail and urban infrastructure segments, which are expanding rapidly due to increased urbanization. Mining activities are also expected to play a significant role, especially in coal and mineral extraction.
Furthermore, the push for sustainable construction practices will drive demand for advanced, fuel-efficient, and electric equipment, positioning Volvo CE to lead in this transformative phase.
Give us an understanding of your company’s performance this year and your outlook going forward.
This year has been a period of strong growth and innovation for Volvo CE India. We successfully launched the EC210 excavator, which has been well-received by the market for its fuel efficiency and superior performance. Our continued focus on electric and hybrid equipment has positioned us as a pioneer in sustainable construction solutions.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to expanding our product portfolio, including the introduction of CEV Stage V-compliant machines.
We will also continue investing in digital technologies and strengthening our service network to support customers more effectively. With the Indian construction equipment market poised for significant growth, Volvo CE is well-well-positioned to lead innovation and deliver sustainable solutions for customer
success.
