At the recently held Passenger Vehicle Expo 2.0 in Chennai, Damodar Motors India, part of the Damodar Group which also has Shree Damodar Coach Crafts under its umbrella, unveiled its newest flagship coach, ‘Rudra’ – a moment of pride not just for the company, but also a deeply emotional milestone for its leadership. Marking their full-fledged debut at a major exhibition, the company used the platform to signal its renewed growth ambitions and expanding footprint in South India.
“We are very excited to showcase Rudra. It was a dream of my late father and company founder Sri. G.L. Sharma to see our buses on such a grand stage,” said Dinesh Sharma, Managing Director of Damodar Group. “Though he is no longer with us, his blessings are always there. This launch is not just a product showcase, but a tribute.”
Rudra: A Product of Passion and Purpose
Built on an Ashok Leyland 13.5m chassis with a 7000 mm wheelbase, Rudra is a premium luxury sleeper coach designed to elevate the standards of intercity travel. However, what distinguishes it is not just the build quality or comfort – it’s the company’s deep-rooted design philosophy.
Rudra is the first bus designed under Damodar’s newly articulated design vision – ‘PRAVAHA’, which means ‘flow’ in Sanskrit. Inspired by Indian spiritual traditions, PRAVAHA seeks to embed meaning and purpose into every line, surface and component of the vehicle.
For Yash Sharma, Director at Shree Damodar Coach Crafts and a part of the third generation leading the company, Rudra represents more than just a product launch. “I wanted to bring a clear design philosophy to the table – one that blends Indian heritage with contemporary sensibilities,” he said. “With Rudra, we’ve tried to create a visual and emotional experience, where every design element serves a deeper purpose.”
The design includes several elements symbolic of Indian mythology. From the Trishul-inspired roofline and side profile to DRLs shaped like Vasuki’s eyes, every part of Rudra echoes Indian iconography in modern form. Yet, beyond the symbolism, the coach delivers on functional parameters expected in the luxury segment – spacious layout, premium interiors, and a distinctive road presence.
South India: A Strategic Growth Frontier
While Damodar Group has long been a known name in western markets like Maharashtra, it has been quietly building a strong presence in South India over the past few years. The Chennai show is a culmination of this focus.
“Our first product in the South was delivered to KBS in Chennai, and it gave us a great response. Since then, we’ve seen a strong rise in demand. Operators here, not only want the buses but also want to feel the comfort and finish like a car.” said Dinesh Sharma.
With Rudra, the company aims to further cement its position in the southern market. “We are not here to compete with others. We have created our own space and benchmarks. Our goal is to serve this region with top-quality, locally-built vehicles,” he added.
Manufacturing Expansion to Meet Surging Demand
Backed by strong order volumes and a positive market outlook, Damodar Group is aggressively expanding its production capacity. From its current manufacturing capacity of 40–45 buses per month across two plants, at Dabaspet and Tumkur, the company is targeting a ramp-up to 100 units per month within the next year.
A new plant is coming up in Vasantha Narasapura near Tumkur, and two additional facilities are being planned to meet demand and reduce lead times. “Currently, our only constraint is delivery time. We are investing in infrastructure to overcome this and bring down turnaround times for our customers.” said the MD of the company.
A Family Legacy, now in its 40th Year
Established in 1986, Damodar Group is entering its 40th year in 2026 – a journey marked by resilience, craftsmanship and steady growth. From humble beginnings in Goa and Bangalore, the company has grown into a well-recognised brand in India’s coach-building industry. According to Sharma, the COVID-19 period was among the toughest for both operators and builders, but the company has bounced back stronger.
“The best part now is that our third generation is fully involved. Yash has played a key role in conceptualising Rudra. That’s our real earning – the passion and continuity within the family,” he noted.
With design innovation at its heart, a solid production ramp-up strategy, and a renewed market push in South India, Damodar Group is not just marking its presence – it is defining a new paradigm of premium coach-building with a distinct Indian identity.
