Daimler India has unveiled eight new models for 2021 in view of increasing its reach in the Indian market.

Story by Deepti Thore

Highlighting the premise of the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has unveiled eight new models for 2021. These include six trucks and two buses. The two buses include an updated form of its popular nine-meter-long bus and the front-engine 12 m long bus. Called the 1017 bus with a 50 seating capacity, the updated bus is aimed at staff, school and college application. Over the 2020 model, it is now being offered with a wider body to ensure there is more passenger space at the disposal of the operator to help adhere to the bus operating guidelines like social distancing in a post-Covid environment. The 12 m long bus, based on the 1624 model of 2020 has been updated to aim at city and mofussil transport with the inclusion of a parabolic suspension, according to Karl-Alexander Seidel, CEO and India head, Daimler Buses. Averred Seidel that the 2021 model 1624 bus would help the company to turn its attention towards state transport corporations and city bus corporations for their mofussil and inter-city passenger transportation needs. To them, he added, the updated bus model offers among the lowest TCO in its class, and a bus that is reliable and comfortable. The bus could be had with pneumatic suspension too. In fact, until now, the 1624 bus was offered with a pneumatic suspension only and aimed at private inter-city and mofussil bus operators.

An interesting element concerning the eight new models for 2021 from DICV is the inclusion of a ‘BSafe’ pack as standard. On the bus side, this pack includes infection-proof fabric seats and curtains, and a physical separation between the driver and passengers. The pack also includes a Covid safety kit with an N95 mask for the driver, hand sanitiser and surface disinfectant spray. Could be extended by including a disinfection fogging machine and a UV sanitiser box, the ‘BSafe’ pack also offers a touch-less entry with pneumatic doors, an auto sanitiser at dispenser point, auto temperature sensor at the entry point, disposable seat fabric, a UV filter and a fresh air circulation kit. On the truck side, the ‘BSafe’ pack includes a disposable seat fabric, a Covid safety kit with an N95 mask for the driver, hand sanitiser and surface disinfectant spray, and more.

Safety and productivity
Targeting the growing dynamic needs of the society through tailor-made and customised kits like ‘BSafe’, DICV, according to its managing director and chief executive officer Satyakam Arya, is also looking at its customers to extend a differential experience. Stating that the cost of the ‘BSafe’ pack will be borne by DICV and the existing buses will be retrofitted with the ‘BSafe’ pack at the dealers, Arya expressed that their commitment towards their customers is a priority that they would not want to miss. Stressing that over 100,000 trucks have been sold until now and the dealer network expanded to over 250 touchpoints, Arya averred that his company has also been instrumental in initiatives prescribed by ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. “DICV has helped export 150 million parts to Daimler locations in more than 50 countries involving 100 suppliers,” he added. Drawing attention to the fact that the BSVI BharatBenz truck and bus range helped the company to double its market share, Arya announced that his company has launched the ‘BharatBenz loyalty’ programme to enable customers to accrue points during vehicle service, which could be redeemed towards FasTag recharge, purchase of consumables and more.

Announcing that DICV is keen to offer its customers customised solutions that align with its innovation-driven market focus, Rajaram Krishnamurthy, Vice President -Marketing & Sales, and Customer Services, DICV, drew attention to the ‘BSafe Express’ Covid vaccine van. We have developed it in association with the Motherson Sumi Group on the BharatBenz 2823R truck chassis, he informed. Of the opinion that vaccination will be a huge task for India, Krishnamurthy averred that the ‘BSafe Express’ would make a vital asset in the entire supply chain concerning precise temperature control to maintain the efficacy of the vaccine. Designed and developed to deliver maximum uptime and faster turnaround, the ‘BSafe Express’ was tested in different terrains to make sure that it stood up to the task. Employing XPS/GRP material in its construction apart from a lightweight AC unit from Valeo Motherson Thermal Commercial Vehicles India Ltd., the reefer van is laced with features like cruise control, power windows. central locking and cab AC. It is also equipped with ozone-friendly refrigerant and an advanced PLC control for precise temperature maintenance.

Advanced connectivity for ‘BSafe Express’
An advanced telematics ‘Truckonnect’ system on board ensures that the vehicle could be tracked real-time and the cargo monitored to ensure utmost efficiency and safety. Investing in driver training at the dealer level to ensure utmost efficiency and safety of the operation, according to Arya, the ‘BSafe Express’ is equipped with a driver attention monitoring system too. Supported by a single warranty (unlike aftermarket reefer truck conversions where the truck and superstructure have separate warranty agreements), the ‘BSafe Express’ vaccine van is having a short assembly time of 96 hours. This should provide an idea about the amount of design and engineering that has gone into the making of this vaccine van, quipped Krishnamurthy. He added that artificial intelligence in the vehicle is courtesy the IoT sensors integrated inside the container. These enable the fleet manager to not only monitor the temperature, humidity, shock, tilt, and any attempt to tamper, but also adjust the temperature as required and sound the alarm if a problem occurs, he added. Integration with QR Code aids tracking of all stock onboard, providing users an opportunity to check the location, status, and history of each package.

The 1917R truck, at the other end, is an ICV segment offering designed for FMCG and e-commerce applications among others. Powered by a 167 hp, four-litre engine, it is now available in a load option span of 20-, 22-, 24- and 31-ft. Offering superior fuel efficiency, reliability and among the lowest maintenance costs in its class, the 1917R, with an increased payload capacity (the 2020 version GVW was 18500 kgs), could be had with radial tyre option. It retains the good qualities of BharatBenz 1617 such as superior fuel efficiency, reliability and low maintenance costs. It is positioned in a competitive segment that includes fleets — small and big, and a variety of operators, including single truck operators. In its new livery, it should make an appealing case for new ICV segment truck buyers. The 4228R tanker is a 34-kiloliter fully-built tanker with a wide range of safety features. Aimed at POL (Petrol, Oil and Bitumen) applications, the 14-wheeler vehicle, according to Krishnamurthy, provides a ‘ready to operate’ asset that is efficient, customisable and productive. Drawing attention to the 42T M-Cab variant of the 4228R, he averred that the rigid long-haul truck provides the longest loading span in its category of up to 23 ft. It is aimed at panel and express applications,
he added.

Efficient trucking
Equipped with a new G85 six-speed gearbox, the BharatBenz 1015 has been armed with better grade-ability and reliability. It is also the truck that has a longer, 50,000 km service internal, informed Krishnamurthy, which makes it far more efficient than other trucks in its class. Aimed at vegetable and perishable goods transport, the 1015R is powered by a 147 hp, four-litre engine and has a GVW of 10,600 kg. The 2828C is designed for construction and coal application. Now available with 22 cu.m. loading capacity, it boasts of the longest wheelbase in its class. It is powered by a 281 hp, 7.2-litre six-cylinder BSVI engine mated to a G131 nine-speed manual transmission. It has a GVW of 28000 kg for nylon tyre version and a GVW of 27600 kg for mining tyre version.

Investing over Rs.9500 crore, of which roughly Rs.2400 crore was spent on R&D, DICV has sold over 3000 buses till date. Expanding its dealer network throughout 2020, and at a time when others were consolidating, the CV maker is confident of the Indian business posting high dividends in the long-run. Not entirely dependent on the domestic market, DICV, as a Daimler Group entity, has been building trucks under the brand of Mercedes-Benz, Fuso, BharatBenz and Freightliner at its Chennai facility. It has been producing bus chassis for export to a few markets like Egypt too. Developing a local and capable supply chain network, the company, having achieved 90 per cent localisation level for its entire product range, is expecting this year to post a sharp and strong recovery in CV sales. According to Arya, the growth could range anywhere between 40 and 90 per cent.
Working to improve internal as well as customer linked processes during the lockdown, DICV upgraded its warehouse management system to ensure efficiency and a better ability to support its customers. Shifting to application-based approach from tonnage-based approach, the company is closely watching the LCV segment. It is said to be looking at a feasible product and technology, which could enable it to offer a differentiating experience. Announcing that it would announce its alternate fuel road map by the end of 2020 during the launch of its 2020 range at Navi Mumbai early last year, DICV is claimed to be working on an electric truck based on the Fuso eCanter in India. Refraining from announcing the alternate fuel policy as yet, DICV is expected to make its LCV segment foray with an assortment of efficient diesel vehicles and electric vehicles. The first step in this direction, the company is likely to announce at the end of the current financial year.