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The company also said that depending on the market condition it will double the capacity from the current 36,000 units.
After launching three models of light-duty trucks from the plant today, Marc Llistosella, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India said that at present the market is down by 30-40% down and it is really challenging.
"Current environment is worst time in the last 10-15 years and we are not scared since we have right partners and products". In the next 17 months the company will launch one product every month. He noted in the last six months the company launched six months.
Number of dealers will be increased to 80 plus by end of the current year from 32 now.
He added, around three lakh trucks were sold in India last year and this is expected to go up to 5 lakh in a few years. The company's market share ranges between 8% and 36%, depending up on the market, he said.
He attributed the current slow down to both domestic and global financial friction. However, we have sold out all our inventory and we have not reduced our production plan, he said.
The company sold 1098 vehicles till December from September 2012 last year and company’s biggest challenge is to win over customers' mind. India is a very emotional market.
We are comfortable, but not very comfortable and have to stabilise in this market. For this, a good supply chain is important," he said. Around 85% of the parts for the vehicles are sourced from local suppliers, he said.
Meanwhile, the company today rolled out its light-duty range of BharatBenz brand trucks from Oragadam plant. While the 914 and 1214 (both rigid category) trucks are for the haulage segment, the 1,217 (tipper) vehicle is for the construction segment. These vehicles will now be commercially available through dealers, said the company in a press release.
The new trucks are based on Fuso Fighter & Canter Cab, which is a Daimler Trucks' technical platform.
