A record 150 Volvo 9600 luxury sleeper coaches were just signed by Vijayanand Travels, each priced at a premium of about ₹1.5 crore.
The 9600, known for its 'Tall‑Boy' chassis and spacious cabins, has long been the benchmark for long‑haul executive travel. In a market where Ashok Leyland’s 7300 and Tata’s V‑Glide offer similar comfort at slightly lower price points—₹1.2–1.3 crore—a bulk purchase of 150 units signals a decisive shift toward high‑end, feature‑rich fleets.
One of the deal’s standout features is the factory‑built onboard washrooms, a first for Volvo in India, enabling non‑stop journeys on routes that stretch up to 1,900 km, like Bengaluru–Jodhpur.
The order was sealed in a glittering ceremony on September 4, 2026, where VECV’s new CEO B. Srinivas, a 32‑year veteran of the industry, took the stage. His background, from product development at Eicher to leading a major commercial‑vehicle firm, lends credibility to the partnership and signals a broader trend of seasoned leaders steering fleet upgrades.
With the coaches already rolling out of the Volvo plant in Pithampur, fleet managers across the country can expect similar orders by early 2027, as Indian regulations push for cleaner, more comfortable long‑haul transport.