Kubota has supplied more than 650,000 units of DPF.

We are making the advancement with DPF technology to have longer service interval time.

Akihiko Adachi ,
Manager – Market Development Group,
Kubota Corporation Japan

We are expanding and enriching the service network and quality in India. As Kubota engines are used in various applications, our training curriculum is covering wider application. Based on such curriculum, our service partners in India are trained. Also we have worldwide service network at over 100 countries, more than 550 dealers, Akihiko Adachi, Manager – Market Development Group, Engine Global Marketing Department, Kubota Corporation Japan. Excerpts from the interview

How geared up is kubota to meet the challenges with regard to the new set of emission norms in India?

We see no difficulty making our engines, technically complies with the upcoming regulations. As the strict level of the upcoming emissions regulations are lower than EU Stage V, our engine line up will fulfil Indian regulations. We will work close with the certification agent in India.

How do you assess the challenges on various fronts such as killing up your workforce, and service personnel and technicians down the value stream?

Kubota Japan have a plan to expand strengthen the organization of Kubota India Company, including the sales, technical engineers and service.  For level up for the service people, Kubota is dispatching the trainers for doing the after service training twice in a year at least. And also we are expanding the service shops in the whole Indian market every year.

What is the impact of the cost factor?

We at Kubota understand that the cost factor is much more important
than other factors in India. In the same time, Kubota also try to achieve the much better quality and performance than the market expected. So Kubota is keeping the same quality and performance as the current
existing products with yearly cost
down activity.

What about the readiness of other players involved in delivering the end product in time?

Kubota is considering about it, but not fixed the final method yet. Kubota will also do the educational activity to the customers for using the correct fuel and oil.

What is the impact of telematics and big data analytics on engine manufacturers like kubota?

If our OEM, our customers request something to incorporate their telematics system, we will provide necessary signal out from engine ECU. Kubota also can supply the engineering telematics, to support OEM’s machine development and evaluation activity.

How do you see the scope of shift toward electronic engine, especially for the OEM sector?

We think the transition to electric (motor) is different depending on applications. Also the shift is also differs by regions as it will require significant investment to allow electric machines to be operated smoothly.

Could you elaborate on the emission technology kubota is working with and what are the performance expectations?

Kubota sees that more and more emissions regulations are starting to require DPF, for stricter regulations. To which, Kubota has advantage onto this technology as we have supplied more than 650,000 units of DPF. We are also making the advancement with DPF technology to have longer service interval time, from 3,000hr to 6,000hr. We are also expanding DPF cleaning service network and capability.

Could you tell us the design philosophy and what differentiates kubota?

We have seamless line up that covers from below 10kW to over 130kW. By 2020, we will start service with 5litr 157kW engine. We also have SI engine line up that is footprint-compatible with CI engines. With variety of outfit accessories, we can support variety of application, as well as OEM’s requirement.

Aftersales service has become a true differentiator regardless of industry segments.

How innovative and strong is kubota in this area?

We are expanding and enriching the service network and quality in India. As Kubota engines are used in various applications, our training curriculum is covering wider application. Based on such curriculum, our service partners in India are trained. Also we have worldwide service network at over 100 countries, more than 550 dealers.

What is the current demand-supply scenario for engines from the construction and mining equipment side?

Kubota see these markets are keeping on increasing demand strongly, and the machine size will be compacted and light duty to meet the city use, not only for the rural area and the mining area. As mentioned before, we at Kubota have seamless line up till 130 kW, it means Kubota engines might be fit for the Indian market in near future.

Tell us your plans and strategies for Indian market.

We at Kubota have enough experiences in North America and European market. Under points of view of our experiences that one of the market trends of machinery will be compacted step by step, not in sudden. And also the environmental requirements will be increased year by year. It is not only the strict emission regulations but also fuel consumption, noise, vibration and so on. These trends are welcome for Kubota products and we are ready to support and contribute for Indian market and people.

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