New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) Construction equipment major JCB India Ltd Tuesday launched its first domestically-built 16-valve diesel engine, which is Bharat Stage-III (BS-III) compliant.

"These latest technology engines, would offer immense fuel efficiency to our customers. The domestic production of JCB engines will enable us to provide the best quality product," said JCB India managing director and chief executive Vipin Sondhi.

According to Sondhi, the company will immediately start placing the new engines in its product ranges like backhoes, which would be followed by other models.

The company, would produce approximately 40,000 engines per year at its facility in Ballabgarh, Haryana, from April, he said.

The high fuel efficient and low maintenance engines will come in the range of 76 HP to 150 HP and will be aspirated to either turbocharged or common rail. The new engine also boost of low noise, vibrations and longer engine life, he said.

Currently, JCB India is the market leader in construction equipment sector in the country with an over 50 percent market share.