Swedish auto-maker Volvo has won an order worth Rs700 million ($US15 million) for 200 intercity buses in Southern India, say Asian news sources (14/12/00). The deal -- from tour operators, tourism agencies and state transport corporations -- will see Volvo India provide both design and technical information to Jaico Automobile Engineering Co. (part of the Bangalore-based Azad Group) to help meet the deadline of June 2001 for the first buses to be delivered.

Volvo will assemble both chassis and engines at its Hoskote site, near Bangalore, marketing them jointly with Jaico.