Four-wheel luxury: The bus stops here
If Volvo, Ashok Leyland and Tata Motors have their way, the Greyhound could soon turn green with envy.
White, Red and Blue, Delhiites know all their lines on buses. From the routes, to corrupt cops; buses are part of the city’s culture. Still, the curiosity to climb up stationary ones at the Auto Expo 2004 was incredible.
And who can blame the masses. On display were buses that can make a Greyhound turn green with envy. If Tata Motors were celebrating the success of their 12-metre bus with a fashion show; Ashok Leyland’s Lux Liner evoked the most oohs! The B7R, Volvo’s Rs 52-lakh dream machine, even had a noise-proof section where the company brass interacted with the media.
According to Akash Passey, GM, bus division, Volvo India, a luxury bus should be strong on safety and comfort. “That is why the B7R, with a seating capacity of 45, carpeted flooring and engine-driven A/C is successful.”
But one shouldn’t ignore features like air suspension, says a Ashok Leyland official. “It absorbs shocks through a balloon like structure.”
Ask the Tata spokesman about the USP of their buses and he says: “Value for money. With push-back seats, durable components and Silicon carpets, the LDO 1616 is a best seller in the market,” he adds.