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 billion, the Runner three-wheeler manufacturing plant has capacity of 30,000 units per year.
Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman inaugurated the country’s maiden three-wheeler plant as the chief guest.
At least 70 per cent of the vehicle except for some components of the engine have been made locally through technical collaborations with Indian automaker Bajaj Auto, said Hafizur Rahman Khan, chairman of Runner Group.
Around 30,000 three-wheelers run by liquefied petroleum gas and compressed natural gas will be produced a year at Runner Automobiles' three-wheeler manufacturing plant in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka, he said at the launching event.
Mr Khan said some 300 local and 400 foreign workers have already been employed for the 10-acre Runner factory.
“A few local organisations have also cooperated with us. This vehicle will help in transportation of the common mass along with creating more jobs,” he said.
Salman F Rahman said through this, a domestic company for the first time brought a three-wheeler autorickshaw to the market after manufacturing it in the country.
Although the autorickshaws have been produced in the country, Bangladesh still has to import 20-30 per cent of the parts to make the three-wheeler, Rahman said.
“We want to be fully capable of manufacturing three-wheelers. Runner will fulfil this gap in future”.
Salman F Rahman said the government will extend all-out support for the expansion of the export-oriented automobile industry.
Domestic companies should adopt modern technologies to increase production and remain competitive, he said.
“Runner is the first manufacturer and exporter of motorcycles in Bangladesh,” said Subir Kumar Chowdhury, managing director and CEO of Runner Automobiles.
“With the autorickshaw, we entered into the three-wheeler industry today. We hope we will be successful in this industry like motorcycles.”
"This is not only the first three-wheeler factory in Bangladesh, but also the first Bajaj three-wheeler factory outside of India," said KS Grihapathy, president of Bajaj Auto.
“We are excited to work with Runner. The organisation has already proved their capabilities,” he said.
He said Bajaj will contribute to the development of the automobile industry in Bangladesh.
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).
Saifuzzaman Shikhor, MP, Kazim Uddin Ahmed, MP and Lokman Hossain Miah, executive chairman (Senior Secretary), BIDA were present as special guests.
The unit price will come down at least 20 per cent compared to the ones currently imported.
There are about five 500000 three-wheelers in the country, but only 100000 are registered, said Abdul Matlub Ahmad, president of Bangladesh Automobiles Assemblers and Manufacturers Association and chairman of Nitol-Niloy Group.
“It becomes difficult to hold these vehicles accountable in case of an accident and insurance claim comes.”
The government should take strong measures to ensure registration of all three-wheelers in the country, he said.
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.
Runner manufactures and distributes Bajaj’s RE 4S 3-wheeler in Bangladesh.
India-based Bajaj Auto, the global leader in the three-wheeler industry, dominates more than 90 per cent of the market in Bangladesh.
