Daimler's domestic sales up 37% to 14,000 units

Crosses 4-mn exports mark of India-made parts to other plants

Daimler India's domestic sales increased by 37% to 14,000 units. The company has attributed the growth to product lineup, export business continued to grow favorably. The auto maker crossed 4 million exports mark of India-made parts to other Daimler Trucks entities across the globe.

Erich Nesselhauf, Managing Director and CEO Daimler India Commercial Vehicles commented, "2015 has been another successful year for us. With our portfolio of modern trucks, we have powered ahead on our growth course domestically in India and in our export business. With important new BharatBenz product generations hitting the market in 2016, we are committed to sustainably grow our business as part of Daimler Trucks Asia."

The company has a manufacturing facility at Oragadam, near Chennai.

The plant was set up by Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler AG. Following its market launch in September 2012, Daimler's Indian truck and bus brand has introduced 20 products so far in its mission to transform the country's Commercial Vehicle segment, with more to follow.

"Far more than 30,000 BharatBenz vehicles with the hallmark value-for-money proposition have since been delivered to customers, an unprecedented volume-ramp up in the industry," according to the company.

Demand for BharatBenz products in 2015 rose especially in the heavy-duty segment. New tailored applications for the mining and the construction segments. At the same time, the company's FUSO-branded export business - as part of Daimler Trucks Asia - continued to grow favorably.

The company also started a bus production as part of Rs 425 crore expansion of the company's manufacturing operations in Oragadam. The company also entered nto the bus segment with BharatBenz staff buses and Mercedes-Benz Super-High-Deck (SHD) luxury coach. The company also launched its second wave of truck products - including BharatBenz high-powered engine trucks, BharatBenz heavy duty tractors and launch of the BharatBenz 3143 CM, the first Super-Heavy-Duty truck localised in India.

Nesselhauf said, "With important new BharatBenz product generations hitting the market in 2016, we are committed to sustainably grow our business as part of Daimler Trucks Asia. Both in the medium and heavy-duty segment we will once more raise standards and customer value. At the same time, Indian-made FUSO trucks will play a key role in opening up important growth markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America."

The Oragadam, near Chennai, is spread over 400 acres. It includes a modern test track designed to simulate Indian conditions - making it one of its kinds in Asia. DICV has made an initial investment of around Rs 4,400 crore and additional Rs 425 crore for the bus plant facility.