Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) reported its preliminary results for the calendar year 2020, showcasing a 3.3% rise in domestic market share (5.8% to 9.1%). Despite the global pandemic and economic downturn, DICV was able to outperform the Indian CV market and emerge from 2020 with significant increases in both domestic sales (up 46%) and incoming orders (up nearly 150%) for Q4.
Commenting on this performance, Satyakam Arya, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), said: “DICV continues to transform the Indian CV industry with our ‘Made for India’ BharatBenz brand. The value offered by our products is validated by increasing customer confidence, enabling us to outpace the market even during the tough conditions of 2020.”
“We are also proud to be a leader in making in India for the world, proven by our growing export business,” he added. In its domestic business, DICV recorded 9,624 unit sales (14,474 units sold in 2019), which is a drop of only 34% in an industry that recorded a market contraction of 60%. On the export front, DICV celebrated a new milestone of 35,000 vehicles, 5,500 CKD kits and 150 million parts sold across the world. DICV also celebrated 1 lakh BharatBenz vehicles on Indian roads. Meanwhile, in the bus segment, DICV continues to expand and offer its state-of-the-art technology and features to customers.
DICV celebrated the 100th rollout of FUSO bus and later secured its first major order of 1017 (10T) AC BharatBenz buses by the Government of Assam for airport services, city and intercity transportation. In December, the bus division celebrated a new sales milestone of 5,000 buses sold. Said Karl-Alexander Seidel, CEO and Head of Daimler Bus India: “BharatBenz buses continue to offer customers and passengers the high level of quality, safety and reliability they deserve – especially now, as they are available with features that help prevent the spread of the corona virus. We are actively expanding our portfolio and targeting growth both domestically and overseas with our new range of buses.”
Recapping 2020
In May, DICV signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government to invest Rs 2,277 crore to expand operations and later in November inaugurated its new ‘Global Capability Centre’ to increase exports of shared services to the rest of the Daimler Group. In line with its mission to offer greater flexibility, DICV also launched BharatBenz Exchange, allowing customers to trade in their used vehicles of any brand for new or used BharatBenz vehicles. DICV also signed MoUs with 18 leading banks to deliver seamless financing convenience. Taking a further step forward, DICV invested in warehouse modernisation and expanded the dealer network, taking total touch-points to over 250.
Tailor-Made Solutions
DICV launched the new BharatBenz range in January 2021, including six trucks and two buses focusing on safety, high-performance, fuel efficiency, excellent reliability and low maintenance cost. With this portfolio, BharatBenz seeks to move away from the traditional tonnage classification and focus on creating the best truck for every need, customising vehicles for use applications, and targeting specific sectors.
One example of this application-based approach is the BSafe Express, a specialised reefer truck for transportation of vaccines that premiered last month in New Delhi. Having focused strongly on digitalisation, research and development investment and fixed-cost optimisation over the last year, DICV is now well-placed to take advantage of India’s recovering CV market. The company expects to build on its momentum and achieve healthy growth in sales and market share over 2021.
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The value offered by our products is validated by increasing customer confidence, enabling us to outpace the market even during the tough conditions of 2020.
– Satyakam Arya, MD and CEO, DICV
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DICV’s Satyakam Arya elected Vice Chairman of CII – Tamil Nadu State Council
Satyakam Arya, Managing Director & CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has been elected as Vice Chairman of CII Tamil Nadu State Council for the year 2021-22.
Arya is an active member of CII and is the Co-Chairman of Manufacturing Sub-Committee of CII Southern Region and Chairman of TN CEO Forum.
Since he began working at Daimler in 2009, he has excelled in a number of executive leadership roles at various departments across Daimler Trucks Asia including Global Procurement, Purchasing & Supply Chain and Powertrain & Chassis Procurement. Satyakam worked as Chairman of the Board for PABCO Ltd, a subsidiary of Japan-based commercial vehicle manufacturer Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC)
Dr. S. Chandrakumar, Founder & Executive Chairman, Sri Kauvery Medical Care India Ltd, Trichy has been elected as Chairman of CII Tamil Nadu State Council.