Eicher to enter personal vehicle segment

The JV is currently exploring a location in India to set up the plant to roll out "personal vehicles" by 2015 for the domestic as well as overseas markets.

"Currently, we are present in the commercial vehicle and motorcycle categories. The collaboration with Polaris Industries will allow us to enter into a new vehicle segment," Eicher Motors Managing Director and CEO Siddhartha Lal said in a statement.

As per of a definitive agreement, both the firms have formed a 50:50 joint venture to to set up a greenfield project in the automotive sector.

"The joint venture company will design, develop, manufacture and sell a full new range of personal vehicles suitable for India and other emerging markets," Eicher Motors said without sharing other details.

The manufacturing facility will be located in India and the JV partners are currently evaluating locations to set up the plant, which is expected to start production in 2015, it added.

"The overall investment in the joint venture company over a three year period will be approximately Rs 250 crore. The projected financial outcomes from this venture meet the long term financial expectations of both the companies," the statement said.

According to the agreement, the JV will be governed by a board with equal representation from both the companies. "At Eicher Motors, we are committed to exploring and pursuing opportunities for long-term profitable growth and
value creation for our stakeholders. This JV with Polaris is a strategic initiative towards that direction," Lal said.

The JV will bring together Eicher's expertise in frugal engineering, lean business model and understanding of emerging markets along with product development capabilities and reliability of Polaris, he added.

Commenting on the partnership, Polaris Industries Chief Executive Officer Scott W Wine said: "This agreement reinforces Polaris' position as a global leader, instantly expanding our presence in India and our access to additional emerging markets around the globe."

The JV will provide both the firms opportunities to develop new products and realise global growth, he added.