Runner 3-wheeler plant goes into production by mid’22

Runner Automobiles Limited, a two-wheeler manufacturing pioneer in the country, is all set to commence production in its three-wheeler plant by the middle of next year.

With technical assistance of India’s Bajaj Auto, the listed commercial vehicle seller, with an investment of Tk 300 crore, set up the plant in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka last year.

Bajaj Auto will provide necessary technical support to Runner in localisation of parts and components as well as assembling and manufacturing of vehicles.

Elated by good customer response to its electric scooters (two-wheeler), the company is also planning to manufacture electric three-wheelers, in addition to the fuel-run ones, in the plant to widen its presence in the local electric vehicle market, according to its annual report for the financial year 2020-21.

The initiative would bear fruit by mid-2022, said Runner Automobiles Chairman Hafizur Rahman Khan.

“We will emerge as the first company to manufacture three-wheelers in Bangladesh,” he said.

He mentioned the development as a major milestone for the automobile industry that showcases the nation’s growing prowess in automotive engineering and value addition.

According to the annual report, Runner is now focused on manufacturing electric vehicles – both two-wheelers and three-wheelers.

“We have ventured into further exploration of electric vehicles (EVs) and initiatives will be taken post evaluation on electrification of both

two- and three-wheelers,” Runner Managing Director Reazul Haque Chowdhury said.

“Our three EVs have been well-received by customers, which has brightened our future prospects in this segment,” he said, adding that his company also has a plan to manufacture four-wheelers in the long run.

Apart from Bajaj, Runner is also considering collaboration with renowned international brands.

“We are looking at the progressive manufacturing of international brands, such as Vespa, Aprilia and KTM, in the future at our own plant that is already equipped with advanced technology,” Reazul mentioned.

Runner Automobiles, as the country’s maiden automotive manufacturer, got listed with the bourses in 2019 and carries out share trading under ‘A’ category.

It holds 90 per cent of market share in the sub-100cc motorcycle category, 37 per cent in commercial vehicles, and 26 per cent in three-wheelers.

The company exports Made in Bangladesh motorcycles to Nepal and Bhutan. It also has a plan to widen its export destinations to Africa and Southeast Asia.

Runner has a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bhaluka, with a production capacity of 100,000 motorcycle units per year.

The company manufactures motorcycles under the ubiquitous “Runner” brand.