Page 48 - Construction_Opportunities_January_2026

INTERACTION POST-EXCON

ecosystems, and end-of-life battery management are important
considerations. Our current focus is therefore on improving fuel
efficiency, overall machine productivity, and lowering CO
2
emissions which continue to deliver immediate and measurable
sustainability gains at job sites.

Year 2025 was not an eventful year for the whole industry. So
how do you see 2026 panning out and the years ahead for the
industry and specific to Kobelco?
We expect roadways and economic-corridor projects (including
bridges and allied civil works) to be the leading driver in 2026.
These segments are receiving steady budgetary focus and require
a broad mix of excavators across sizes — from compact units
for utility works to medium and large machines for earthworks
and bridge foundations. Closely following is mining & mineral
processing, where expansion in energy and critical-minerals
activity is increasing demand for heavy-duty excavators. Kobelco’s
wide model range, attachment ecosystem and service footprint
position us well across both categories.

In specific to your mini excavators, how is your mini excavator
product doing and what is the market share you have in India?
engineering-driven organisation, our approach is to adopt We have currently about 6–7 per cent market share. But we have
solutions that deliver genuine environmental benefits rather a very good opportunity in terms of volumes to go up. Already in
than focusing on technology adoption alone. In markets like Western Ghats, most of the agricultural harvesting is going for mini
India, infrastructure readiness, power-generation mix, charging basically. So mini market is going to grow now.

48 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|JANUARY 2026