Daimler rolls out four new truck models

German truck maker Daimler, which sells heavy duty trucks in the domestic market under the brand name Bharat Benz, today rolled out four new models in the medium and heavy duty segment, priced between Rs 21-35 lakh.
Daimler India Commercial Vehicle, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Dailmer AG, had introduced its first series of trucks in September 2012.
The company has sold 7,500 trucks since its launch and with the roll-out of four more trucks, including one mining tipper, BharatBenz is now present in all major trucking segments, Daimler India Commercial Vehicle Managing Director and Chief Executive Marc Listosella said after the launch.

Stating that the trucking industry in India is going through a tough face due to the high interest rates, high fuel prices along with other factors, Listosella said the industry's volumes declined by almost 38 per cent between 2011-2013.
However, BharatBenz trucks, with their superior all round technology and low-operating costs, enjoy a much grater advantage, he said.
Responding to a question whether the company was mulling investing in the domestic operations to fuel further growth, Listosella said funding plans were in sync with the business plan for India.

BharatBenz had announced Rs 4,400 crore investment in setting up operations in the domestic market.

"The investments are absolutely in line with the business plan. We have step-by step, staggered approach," Daimler India Commercial Vehicle Vice President for Sales, Marketing and After Sales, VRV Prasad said.
Prasad, however, did not divulge how much the company has already invested out of the Rs 4,400 crore investment announced earlier.
He said the company had plans to scale up the distribution network to 100 from 75 at present by this year end.
With these launches, the heavy commercial maker now covers entire 9-49 tones gross vehicle weight space.