Kolkata, 19 April 2009: Volvo Bus Corporation said that it is planning to enter major cities of the country with the introduction of low-floor air-conditioned buses for city transport.

Volvo city buses were already plying in Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad and Mysore, said Mr.Akash Passey, Managing Director of Volvo Bus India.

Mr.Passey told reporters here that in 2008, the company sold 400 vehicles, including inter-city and city buses. In 2009, the company is expecting a growth of 25%.

He said that under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the company was eyeing to hit the other cities in the north and the east including Kolkata.

Under JNNURM, the Centre would fund buses for 63 cities across the country for improving urban transport.

Mr.Passey said that Volvo expects to make a dent with its low-floor air-conditioned buses for plying in the cities. Volvo buses had a higher life cycle compared to other makes.

Volvo was also in talks with the transport operators in West Bengal.