Daimler India Commercial
Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (DICV), the 100pc Indian subsidiary of the world’s leading
truck manufacturer Daimler AG, has announced the start of sales of the
Mercedes-Benz coach - the Super High Deck SHD 2436 with the handing over of the
first set of buses to a customer in Chennai. The luxury coach is manufactured
out of its plant in Oragadam and offers a high seating capacity of upto 61
pushback seats and 14 cubic meters of luggage space. Built with a unique
aluminique body, this coach is the lightest in its class offering ultra -fuel efficiency.
Erich Nesselhauf, Managing
Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, Markus Villinger, Managing
Director, Daimler Buses India handed over the keys to KPN Raajesh, Owner of KPN Travels at the DICV
Bus plant in Chennai. KPN Travels is one of the largest luxury coach operators
in South India with a fleet size of over 330 intercity buses.
Commenting on the occasion,
Villinger noted, “This product, being the longest coach in the country built
with strong features, is sure to set benchmarks in ultra-luxury travel. We are
excited to be offering a state-of-the–art vehicle concept to the Indian market.
Inter-city travel becomes more safe, comfortable and modern.”
The Mercedes-Benz SHD 2436 has
an active steerable tag axle that results in low turning circle diameter to
effortlessly navigate sharp turns and bends. It also has an advanced braking
system and a strategically positioned fuel tank for added safety.
With an investment of Rs 425
crore, the bus plant at Oragadam, near Chennai produces BharatBenz and
Mercedes-Benz buses and houses Wrightbus, an Ireland based body manufacturer
within its premises. Catering to diverse needs of the market with a twofold
strategy; BharatBenz front-engine buses meets the needs of school, staff and
tourist transportation for intra-city travel. In parallel, the premium segment
is addressed by Mercedes-Benz rear-engine buses for inter-city transportation.
The bus plant manufactures buses with gross vehicle weight of 9, 16 and above
16 ton range. The plant has a capacity of 1,500 units per year scalable to
4,000 units.
The BharatBenz network of over
80 dealerships - ramped up to offer tailor-made service packages and 24X7
after- sales support with advanced interactive vehicle diagnosis for the new
Mercedes-Benz coach. BharatBenz sales is backed by BharatBenz Financial, a
captive financing unit that offers full coverage vehicle Insurance, offers
cashless facility including zero depreciation and full maintenance contracts.
Daimler India Commercial Vehicles also has tie-ups with leading Indian banks to
provide comprehensive financing solutions.
Source: Daimler India
Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd.