BharatBenz to focus on tailor-made solutions to address every need in the Indian CV industry

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Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) launched the new BharatBenz range in January 2021, including six trucks and two buses focusing on safety, high performance, fuel efficiency and excellent reliability along with low maintenance cost.

With this portfolio, BharatBenz looks to move away from the traditional tonnage classification and focus on creating the best truck for every need, customizing vehicles for use applications, and targeting specific sectors. One example of this application-based approach is the BSafe Express, a specialised reefer truck for transportation of COVID-19 vaccines that premiered recently in New Delhi.

Justifying these lines, DICV reported its preliminary results for the calendar year 2020 (as showcasing a 3.3% rise in domestic market share (5.8% to 9.1%). Despite the global pandemic and economic downturn, DICV is able to outperform the Indian commercial vehicle market and emerge from 2020 with significant increases in both domestic sales (up 46%) and incoming orders (up nearly 150%) for Q4.

Satyakam Arya, Managing Director & CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said,  “DICV continues to transform the Indian CV industry with our made-for-India BharatBenz brand. The value offered by our products is validated by increasing customer confidence, enabling us to outpace the market even during the tough conditions of 2020. We are also proud to be a leader in ‘Making in India for the World’, proven by our growing export business.”

In its domestic business, DICV witnessed 9,624 unit sales as against 14,474 units sold in 2019, which is a drop of only 34% in an industry that recorded a market contraction of 60%. On the export front, DICV celebrated a new milestone of 35,000 vehicles, 5500 CKD kits and 150 million parts sold across the world. DICV also celebrated 1 lakh BharatBenz vehicles on Indian roads.

Meanwhile, in the bus segment, DICV continues to expand and offer its state-of-the-art technology and features to customers. DICV celebrated the 100th rollout of FUSO bus and later secured its first major order of 1017 (10T) AC BharatBenz buses by the government of Assam for airport services, city, and intercity transportation. In December, the bus division celebrated a new sales milestone of 5000 buses sold.

Buses

Mr. Karl-Alexander Seidel, CEO & Head of Daimler Bus India said, “BharatBenz Buses continue to offer customers and passengers the high level of quality, safety and reliability they deserve – especially now, as they are available with features that help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are actively expanding our portfolio and targeting growth both domestically and overseas with our new range of buses.”

Growing investments

In May 2020, DICV signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government to invest Rs 2277 crore to expand operations and inaugurated its new ‘Global Capability Centre’ in November to increase exports of shared services to the rest of the Daimler Group.

In line with its mission to offer greater flexibility, DICV also launched BharatBenz Exchange, allowing customers to trade in their used vehicles of any brand for new or used BharatBenz vehicles. The commercial vehicle maker also signed MoUs with 18 leading banks to deliver financing convenience. Taking a further step forward, DICV invested in warehouse modernisation and expanded the dealer network, taking total touchpoints to more than 250.

(With inputs from Automotive Lead Research Team)

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