Cooper Corporation, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) based in Maharashtra?s Satara, is all set to enter the LCV segment. The company plans to launch 1-1.5 tonne LCVs for the Indian market in one and half to two years. These vehicles are expected to create a new slot in the LCV market, said Zal Cooper, director, Cooper Corporation.
?Our company is already making these engines, which are Euro IV-compliant. The vehicle styling was done out of Europe. We believe we have a unique offering for the Indian market which would not only be agile for intra-city operations but would also be strong in the inter-city segment,? he said. Cooper spoke to FE after the inauguration of the company?s Satara plant, where engines are made in collaboration with Ricardo, UK. Ricardo has a strong vehicle engineering group as well; however, there has been no cooperation as yet for the LCV product, he said.
The company is yet to decide on the branding for the LCV and plans to export them to later, he said. The investments and capacities for the LCV plant are yet to be worked out. This plant could be located in the space that earlier housed luggage company Aristocrat in Satara, he said. Cooper bought out the space vacated by Aristocrat when the company wound up its Satara operations in 2007.