Volvo EC210: A Technological Marvel
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE India) launched the EC210 hydraulic excavator, a ‘Built for Bharat’ 20-tonne hydraulic excavator, signaling a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to the Indian construction equipment market. This machine, tailored specifically for India, promises to set new standards in performance, efficiency, and reliability, aimed at revolutionising the industry.
The EC210 hydraulic excavator is designed to excel across various applications, offering superior performance, exceptional fuel efficiency, and ease of maintenance. This machine features a best-in-class attachment configuration and a next-generation positive control hydraulics system, ensuring unmatched precision and faster response times. Powered by a Made-in-India T3 electronic engine, the EC210 delivers high torque at low RPM, offering exceptional fuel efficiency through its ten working modes.
Dimitrov Krishnan, Managing Director, Volvo CE India, unveiled the new excavator alongside Kamel Sid, Global Head of Operations, Volvo CE, and other senior leaders.
As part of the launch, Volvo CE introduced a new brand campaign, “Karo Zyada Ki Umeed”, emphasising the key value propositions of “More Performance, More Value, More Savings, and More Uptime”.
Commitment to India’s Infrastructure Growth
The EC210’s launch underscores Volvo CE’s dedication to supporting India’s infrastructure development, driven by the government’s ambitious vision. Krishnan articulated the importance of this launch, stating, “As India embarks on its remarkable infrastructure growth journey, we foresee exponential demand for construction and mining equipment. The all-new EC210 exemplifies our commitment to delivering products that offer ‘Zyada’ performance and reduced cost of ownership to the value-conscious Indian customer.”
Krishnan further highlighted the strategic steps taken to support this launch, including the expansion of Volvo CE’s sales network, investments in digital technologies for 48-hour service assurance, and a strategic partnership with Shriram AutoMall (SAMIL) for the easy exchange or disposal of used machines. This collaboration aims to support customers interested in purchasing new Volvo CE machines by replacing their existing fleet, aligning with Volvo CE’s strategic ambition of promoting circularity in equipment lifecycle management.
Speaking on the key trends in the construction equipment industry in India, Sid said, “Globally, many markets are slowing down, but India stands out with a 15 per cent growth in the construction equipment sector this year. The government’s infrastructure focus, evident in increased budget allocations, is expected to drive significant projects across the country, presenting robust opportunities for growth.”
A Journey of Innovation and Excellence
The launch of the EC210 is the culmination of Volvo CE’s 25-year journey in India. “From introducing articulated haulers from Sweden to acquiring Samsung Heavy Industries, which paved the way for Volvo excavators in India in 2000, Volvo CE has consistently expanded its footprint and product offerings,” said Krishnan.
“In 2008, our global expansion continued with the acquisition of Ingersoll Rand’s road equipment division, a strategic move that complemented our existing portfolio and aligned perfectly with India's burgeoning infrastructure development,” said Sid. The subsequent establishment of an excavator manufacturing facility in Bengaluru in 2011 marked a pivotal moment, enabling Volvo CE to locally produce branded excavators from 2012 onwards. This localisation not only underscored Volvo CE’s commitment to India but also ushered in a new era of precision engineering and innovation tailored to local needs.
Today, the Volvo brand is synonymous with reliability and performance across various applications, from mining and quarrying to road construction. “Our latest offering, the EC210, exemplifies our relentless pursuit of excellence. Designed, developed, and manufactured in India, this machine represents a testament to our dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction,” added Krishnan.
“The EC210 boasts a localisation level of approximately 70 per cent, with Volvo aiming to further strengthen its local supplier base. Volvo CE aims to double and eventually triple its current market share in the 20-tonne excavator segment,” said Krishnan. “We’ve made substantial investments in developing and promoting this product, supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign focused on volume-based growth strategies. As the name of the machine suggests, we plan to do 210 roadshows across the country.”
Operator Safety and Sustainability
Safety and ergonomics are integral to Volvo CE’s design philosophy. The EC210 incorporates advanced safety features and ergonomic designs to ensure operator comfort and compliance with regulatory standards. “Safety and ergonomics are integral to Volvo’s design philosophy. We continue to innovate in these areas to enhance workplace safety across our product range,” explained Sid.
Additionally, Volvo CE is committed to sustainability, with plans to introduce electric and hybrid technologies. “While the EC210 currently focuses on efficiency and performance, our modular platform allows scalability towards cleaner mobility solutions like electric and hydrogen-powered variants in the future,” Sid noted.
The launch of the EC210 hydraulic excavator marks a significant step in Volvo CE’s journey of innovation and partnership in India. As the country gears up for extensive infrastructure development, the EC210 is poised to play a crucial role in meeting the demands of modern construction challenges, embodying Volvo’s vision of creating sustainable solutions that empower customers to achieve more. With its focus on performance, efficiency, and reliability, the EC210 is set to redefine industry standards and support India’s ambitious infrastructure growth, driving progress across the construction sector.
As Krishnan aptly concluded, “The EC210 not only meets the demands of today’s construction challenges but also anticipates future needs, embodying Volvo’s vision of creating sustainable solutions that empower our customers to achieve more. In the spirit of “Expect More”, Volvo CE looks forward to continuing its journey of innovation and partnership in India, striving to exceed expectations and drive progress across the construction industry.”