Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Runner Automobile PLC, a publicly traded company, launched the country’s first-ever “Made in Bangladesh” three-wheeler plant on Saturday with a technical collaboration with Indian Bajaj Auto, the global leader in three-wheelers.
Established about 10 acres of land at Bhaluka in Mymensingh with an investment of Tk 3.0 billion, the Runner three-wheeler manufacturing plant has capacity of 30,000 units per year.
According to Runner, the local plant will add around 70 per cent value locally through chassis, body welding, painting, testing, engine and vehicle assembling.
Experts of Bajaj have supervised the manufacturing process at Runner’s factory which can run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG).
The runner plant is expected to operate as an import substitution for Bajaj in the country.
Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman inaugurated the country’s maiden three-wheeler plant as the chief guest.
Saifuzzaman Shikhor, MP, Kazim Uddin Ahmed, MP and Lokman Hossain Miah, executive chairman (Senior Secretary), BIDA were present as special guests.
S. Grihapathy, president of Bajaj Auto was present as the guest of honour where Hafizur Rahman Khan, chairman of Runner Automobiles and Subir Kumar Chowdhury, managing director of Runner Automobiles, were present among others.
The unit price will come down at least 20 per cent compared to the ones currently imported.
Runner will manufacture and distribute Bajaj’s RE 4S 3-wheeler in Bangladesh and will take necessary technical support for localisation of parts and components, assembling and manufacturing of vehicles from Bajaj Auto.
The plant will help revolutionise the country’s automobile sector and make a significant contribution to the economy, said Hafizur Rahman Khan, chairman of Runner Group.
India-based Bajaj Auto, the global leader in the three-wheeler industry, dominates more than 90 per cent of the market in Bangladesh.
Uttara Motors, the decades-long distributor of imported Bajaj three-wheelers in the country, will sell locally manufactured CNG-run units while Runner itself will continue its marketing of the LPG-run ones.
This is a very important and crucial step towards expanding the automobile manufacturing capabilities in Bangladesh and developing local expertise including vendors, said Salman F Rahman.