Subsidiary | |
Industry | Automotive |
Headquarters | Perungudi, Chennai, India |
Products |
Commercial vehicles Trucks Buses |
Owner | Daimler AG |
Number of employees
|
2,500+ |
Website | www |
Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. is a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG. This company designs, manufactures, and sells commercial vehicles that cater to the demands of Indian customers and are designed with nation's terrain in mind. These vehicles are branded as "BharatBenz", "Mercedes Benz" and "Fuso".
After starting production in June 2012, the first heavy-duty truck was launched in September 2012. The corporate office is located in Perungudi, Chennai, and the plant is located at Oragadam, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu. Currently, the chief executive officer is Erich Nesselhauf. He took over from Marc Llistosella on 1 June 2014.
Daimler AG has been active in the commercial vehicle business in India for decades. In 1954, the first truck specifically for the Indian market was a Mercedes-Benz, after Daimler-Benz granted a license for automobile production to India-based Tata Group. A year prior, Daimler-Benz acquired an equity interest in Tata. In 1970, Daimler-Benz and Tata entered into a licensing agreement, providing a framework for further activities. In addition, Daimler has licensed various products to other Indian manufacturers (e.g. Force Traveller). In 2007, Daimler introduced its heavy-duty truck Mercedes-Benz Actros to the Indian market. This vehicle is used primarily in mining operations.
In order to produce light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks for the Indian market, Daimler Trucks entered a joint venture with the Indian automobile group Hero. After receiving official approval from the Indian government in March 2008, Daimler Hero Motor Corporation Ltd. was established. The economic situation from late 2008 to mid-2009 necessitated re-positioning of Daimler Trucks' partnership with the Hero Group in India. As a result, Daimler AG and Hero Group announced on 15 April 2009 the dissolution of Daimler Hero Commercial Vehicles Ltd. in India. Afterwards, Daimler created a new Indian subsidiary without Hero Group's involvement, named Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd.