Daimler launches India specific truck and calls it BharatBenz

Daimler AG, the biggest commercial vehicle player in the world, is playing India card by announcing its new brand of trucks for Indian market. Daimler has named it “BharatBenz”, “Bharat” is how the local Indians refer to the country India in native form. This move indicates the global players effort to catch the market share in India that is expected to grow dobule in size by 2020 and grew by 45% in 2010.

 Daimler has its trucks in India since 2007 through its Passenger car division Mercedes-Benz built at Ranjangaon, outskirts of Automotive hub-Pune. Actros brand of Mercedes-Benz is present in India and is quite popular with the mining community.  Daimler has its relationship with Indian Market since 1954 with stake in TATA motors, the number one CV maker of India. However Daimler ended it’s relationship in 2010 with its own ambitious plan to build trucks under Daimler trucks from its Chennai plant.

The BharatBenz range of trucks would roll from mid 2012, and would enter in 6 to 49 tons according to Daimler. It is also significant to note that BharatBenz would be its 5^th brand across the world.

Indian truck market has now presence of all top makers in the world with local truck makers TATA and Ashok Leyland leading the market share. Volvo, MAN, Iveco, Mahindra who sells HCV with its alliance with Navistar and soon see the LCV through its newly acquired Ssangyong in Korea.

Photo – The test units at Daimler test arena in Chennai India

Courtesy - Daimler AG.