In bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2018, Kubota displayed its equipment that comprised its highest selling models in India. However, the company did not roll out any new models in the trade show, this edition, according to TAKEO ISHII, Marketing Group2, Construction Machinery Marketing Department, KUBOTA Corporation.

Please talk about the models exhibited at bC India 2018?
We displayed three machines of 1.5-tonne, 3 tonne and 5 tonne excavators, respectively – KUBOTA U30, KUBOTA U50 and KUBOTA U15. The 1.5-tonne machine is India’s smallest machine from KUBOTA and is imported from Japan. These three machines are the focus this year.

These are zero tile machines which can rotate 360 degrees and can do off swing as well. While other machines need space of around 2 to 3 feet, this machine can play within the crawl whether in narrow space, tunnelling, or any other space. If the machine enters, you can do any work without any fear and the fuel of E 15 will consume only 1.5 litres per hour. The 3-tonne machine has 27 HP, three-cylinder engine and three pumps consuming 3 litres per hour. In the 5-tonne range, we have two models which will come with cabins both AC and non-AC.

What are your views on dual fuel usage notified by road ministry by CE?
Nowadays, bigger excavator sale is going down and sales from smaller excavator are rising. In India, we have narrow spaces in tunnelling and rail projects, which is what we are currently focussing on. This year, we are expecting some good numbers from government initiatives for dual fuel usage.

How was 2018 for you? What are your business prospects for 2019?
Last year, we had number one position in the market completing 28 per cent of market share in many excavators. This year, we are expecting more than last year. Customers are happy with our machines and always come back to us, since our machines are zero maintenance that pares cost, with excellent fuel consumption and performance.

Mostly, these machines are a substitute to wherever manpower is costly. For automation, if shift from manual to machine is required, this is the best choice. Nowadays, we are in all ranges like road construction, tunnelling, sewage cleaning, and even in agriculture. Wherever bigger machines cannot go, these machines are the options.

How do you see the Indian market?
We launched these machines in 2013 when competition was less. Now, everybody is stotted and we are facing competition as every other company is launching excavators. Demand for excavators has gone up. We are looking at new government projects in this space however, space is a big issue.

What role does cost play? Do customers find your equipment costly?
This question has been asked by every customer. The point is these machines are capital equipment machines. Nowadays, renting customers are too clever, so they are not only asking about the pricing, they think about the value and maintenance of machines and services as well. Coming back to the local machines, they are costly but worthy.

This year, we are expecting some good numbers from government initiatives for dual fuel usage.
TAKEO ISHII,
Marketing Group2, Construction Machinery Marketing Department, KUBOTA Corporation