Poll bugle ups orders for customised vehicles

  Hyderabad: Come elections and it is time to see customised vehicles that serve more purposes than just for driving around. These vehicles call for specialised assembly skills for political parties to use them for canvassing.

At such time, Hyderabad-based Deccan Coach Builders finds itself at the forefront of specialised segment — modifying vehicles for campaign needs. Operating since 1973, the company has honed its expertise in crafting customised campaign vehicles, catering to the diverse requirements of political parties.

"This time, the demand is for modifying smaller. We have already completed eight of these projects and anticipate a healthy influx of orders," said Vivek Anand, director, Deccan Coach Builders.

The company takes about three days to transform each vehicle into a multi-purpose campaign platform. The modifications include installation of a podium, floodlights, key lighting for VIPs, audio speakers, large screens, cameras, backlit posters, party symbols, and a range of other features, all these powered by a silent generator.

"For smaller vehicles, customisations begin at a base price of Rs 3 lakh and scale up to Rs 10 lakh-Rs 12 lakh. For larger vehicles, the cost can exceed Rs 1 crore," he said.

The customization is designed to be bolt-fitted, ensuring that vehicles can be restored to their original state after the elections. "This time, we can add an illuminated revolving party logo. We can equip the vehicle with flat panel screens all around, with cameras connected to these screens."

"We have previously handled projects such as Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu's bulletproof stage and the BRS' first electioneering vehicle in 2006. Our portfolio includes customised vehicles for the Congress, BJP, YSRTP, MRPS, BSP, and many others," Anand said.

Apart from election campaign vehicles, the company has also undertaken projects to transform bare vehicles into ambulances, caravans, and other specialised requirements. Anand added, "We have initiated discussions with some automobile manufacturers to explore partnerships as their original equipment manufacturers."