Pune-based commercial vehicles maker Force Motors will be setting up its third plant exclusively for small commercial vehicles. The new plant, to be constructed in Pune, is expected to be operational by 2012. The same year will also see the roll-out of Force Motors’ two small commercial vehicle platforms that would further extend the current Trump, the small commercial vehicle range.
Confirming the same, Prasan Firodia, managing director, Force Motors, said, ?The decision on the new small commercial vehicles plant will be taken in two to three months. We are evaluating a few options but Pune, where we have a land bank, looks ideal.? He added that the company has earmarked an investment of R1,000 crore for the next two-three years, of which a major portion will be spent this year, including the new plant in Pune. The new small commercial vehicles plant will have a capacity of 1.2 lakh units per annum. In the first phase, the plant will have a capacity of 60,000 units per annum, which will later be taken increased by another 60,000 units per annum in the second phase.
Currently, the company produces Trump from its existing plant in Akurdi, Pune. Asked about plans to shift Trump production to the new plant, Firodia said that it will be taken at a later stage.