Wirtgen India - Ramesh Palagiri, MD & CEO

Justification of the price hike for BS IV compliant machines in a price sensitive Indian market will be a challenge, but while the new emission norms will add to the cost, it will make the equipment more environment-friendly and technologically upgraded.

Wirtgen BS IV machines have a simple operation and a comfortable workstation.
Our recently launched CEV-Stage IV Vögele Super 1400i, Vögele Super 1403i, Hamm HD 99i, and Hamm 109i are more fuel efficient and have a very modern operator platform that enables excellent driving comfort and machine handling. Bright, long-lasting LED lights enhance the space. An intelligent drive technology ensures economical operation with low emissions and noise. The operation is self-explanatory and does not require any special language skills.

Service from a single source
Apart from the machine technology, the service concept of the machines is also consistently aimed at users’ needs. As part of the Wirtgen Group, Joseph Vögele AG belongs to the John Deere Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division, which means that both the machine and the engine now come from a single source.

Construction firms and construction machinery agents thus benefit from an expanded service network and a full range of maintenance services. All service intervals are harmonized, and customers need just one central contact for all their needs.


Demand for construction equipment is not going to be impacted by the BS IV norms because new projects will keep on coming and project timelines will have to be met.
Construction equipment price hike due to BS IV implementation is inevitable. Corporate customers are not going to be much affected by the impending price hike because, generally, they are involved in the construction and maintenance of larger projects.

BS IV compliant machine’s affordability by retail customers / sub-contractors is going to be affected by the increased cost, which will divert their attention to rental/second-hand equipment for a short time. This will lead to a slight increase in the procurement of rental and second-hand equipment.

To comply with BS IV emission norms, construction equipment manufacturers are modifying their engine and adding exhaust gas after-treatment units. However, to implement a new technology in the on-going pandemic, along with keeping employee safety on priority, is definitely challenging in terms of training the manpower, reorganizing the supply chain, planning product launches, execution, etc.