Daimler India eyes 20% sale from export of Baharat Benz

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), the Indian subsidiary of the truck manufacturer Daimler AG is eyeing about 20 per cent of sales of its BharatBenz trucks from exports. It is launching its first truck of 25 tonnes in August this year and other 17 platforms in the 7-49 tonnes category within next three years. Across India, BharatBenz has planned 65 dearlships for the distribution of its trucks. India has a huge market for 6-to-49-tonne trucks category which sells over 3.35 lakh units every year and expected to cross 5 lakh units in the next five years. Commenting on this, VRV Sriprasad, vice-president, marketing and sales, DICV said, "BharatBenz is eyeing export markets like Africa, West Asia and Southeast Asia and will export 20 cent sales to these countries by 2018.

 

After setting up market in India, we will loook forward for the exports. We have studied the overseas markets, including the price tags and a range of products sold and we will be competitive in these markets."

He added, "Our trucks have undergone 50 lakh km testing, a first in the industry before the commercial launch.They are 10 per cent more fuel efficient than the the existing trucks in India."

BharatBenz claims that only after a run of 50,000 km the engine oil will be required to change, and after 100,000 km gear box oil and after 150,000 km rear axle oil change. The existing models change the engine oil after a run of 40,000km."

Daimler AG has set up a greenfield plant over 400 acre at Oragadam, near Chennai with the investment of Rs 4400 crore in this plant. The Oragadam facility is Daimler’s third largest outside Germany and it will produce 17 platforms of trucks in the 7-49 tonnes range for use in the construction and mining sectors and on highways. The facility will initially manufacture 36,000 units per year.

For the promotion, company has flagged off ‘BharatBenz Power Yatra’ in Chennai which recently reached Pune, as part of its fourth stop-over during the 8,000 km pan-India drive. It will cover more than 100 roadside dhabas and 19 cities.