DHAKA: A local company from now on will manufacture the body of world-renowned luxurious Japanese Hino AC bus.  

Local manufacturing will save Tk 30 crore in the first year of the move.

Aftab Automobile Limited, a concern of Navana Goup, will manufacture the body.

Bangladesh used to import Hino AC bus from Japan at a cost of Tk 1.75 crore each.

Aftab Automobile will now fabricate the body here that will cost Tk 1.25 crore saving Tk 50 lakh for each.

The Automobile authorities said they will increase production capacity as per demand.

Initially, Aftab will assemble a total of 60 buses in the local workshop titled ‘Assembly and Fabrication Workshop’ in the first year.

They have sold out two AC buses after fabrication.

Earlier, the fabrication used to take place in Malaysia. Now the assembling and fabrication work are taking place in Chittagong and Dhaka with imported chassis.

“Engines and chassis of the bus are produced in Japan ensuring standard”, a top official of the Aftab Automobile said.

Aftab has been marketing the Hino since 1978. Seven thousand Hino buses are being plied across the country.

The officials said they are cautious about passenger safety and comfort while designing.

“Aftab also trains the bus owners, drivers and workers in order to check any,” said the official.


BDST: 1926 HRS, JULY 6, 2010.