Daimler starts selling BharatBenz buses in India

Company hands over keys to customers in Mumbai

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (DICV), a 100% Indian subsidiary of truck manufacturer Daimler AG, today announced start of sales of BharatBenz staff buses with the handing over of first set of buses to customers in Mumbai.

The staff bus is first of a range of ultra-fuel efficient BharatBenz buses that are being offered commercially after it was introduced earlier this year.

The 9-tonne, 39-seater BharatBenz staff bus is an ultra-fuel efficient and cost effective mode for staff travel and offers unprecedented level of safety standards, said Markus Villinger, Managing Director, Daimler Buses India handed over the keys to Manohar Sakpal, Bhagirathi Transport, Rylan Buthello, Buthello Travels and Mr Aldrin Lewis, Aaron Tours, marking the start of sales of BharatBenz buses in India. 

Villinger said, "We see great potential in the Indian market especially with the impetus of infrastructure and smart city projects. With the growing traffic in urban cities, employees spend a fair amount of time commuting to work. We have tested our products under severe conditions at our test track and the Indian roads to ensure reliability and comfort." 

The BharatBenz staff bus comes with a patented ‘Aluminique’ profiles and aerodynamic design offers enhanced fuel efficiency and strong structural stability. "We are on track with our progress and will strategically infuse the other products from our range into the market," added Villinger.

With an investment of Rs 425 crore, the bus plant at Oragadam, near Chennai produces BharatBenz and Mercedes-Benz buses and houses Wrightbus, an Ireland based body manufacturer within its premises. 

BharatBenz front-engine buses will meet the needs of school, staff and tourist transportation for intra-city travel. In parallel, the premium segment will continue to be addressed by Mercedes-Benz rear-engine buses for inter-city transportation.

The bus plant manufactures buses with gross vehicle weight of 9, 16 and above 16 ton range. The plant has a capacity of 1,500 units per year scalable to 4,000 units. 

Available through a network of over 80 dealerships and BharatBenz sales is backed by BharatBenz Financial, a captive financing unit that offers full coverage vehicle Insurance, offers cashless facility including zero depreciation and full maintenance contracts.

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles also has tie-ups with leading Indian banks to provide comprehensive financing solutions.