Less than five years after the market launch of the BharatBenz brand, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), the Indian subsidiary of Daimler AG, has completed the upgrade of its entire domestic product portfolio with the premiere of its all-new heavy-duty truck range. The launch coincides with India’s transition to the new emissions standard BS-IV. With more than 1,000 BS-IV trucks handed over to customers already, BharatBenz is leading the BS-IV transition in the commercial vehicle segment.
Addressing customers, business partners and media at the launch event held at DICV’s manufacturing plant in Oragadam near Chennai, Mr. Erich Nesselhauf, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles said: “Five years ago as a newcomer, we promised to transform the commercial vehicle segment – this year, we have proven to lead the change in our industry as an established player. With an even sharper focus on products, technologies and our customers, BharatBenz is all set to enter the next stage.”
BharatBenz’ all-new heavy-duty models are equipped with proven technology to meet the new Bharat Stage IV emission standards, and deliver significantly better fuel economy as well as lower maintenance costs. The new range includes the three product families of haulage trucks, construction trucks, and tractors, all of which are now available in base and premium variants for the first time. The brand’s successful medium-duty truck range had already been upgraded with a new generation in 2016.
The BharatBenz product range of trucks above 9 to 49 tonnes has been available as BS-IV variants since August 2015. By the end of March 2017, more than 1,000 BharatBenz BS-IV trucks had been delivered to customers and clocked up more than 42,00,000 kilometres. Feedback collected from these early customers has been very positive: besides the improved fuel economy and lower maintenance costs, customers appreciated the fact that BharatBenz BS-IV vehicles also work with BS-III fuel, if required.
BharatBenz BS-IV vehicles meet the upgraded norms using a system based on SCR technology. DICV had tested this technology in Indian operating conditions for over a million kilometres before starting to roll it out to customers in 2015. The SCR technology uses an aqueous urea-based fluid called AdBlue, which is sprayed into the exhaust stream to break down dangerous nitrogen oxides emissions into harmless nitrogen and water. In addition, significant vehicle weight reductions have been achieved which generate corresponding payload improvements of up to 400kg. The all- new heavy-duty trucks introduce even more safety features like Cruise control, LED accented lamp and dual chamber head lamp for better visibility.
There’s a reverse camera / display to cover blind spots (standard in the premium variant), tubeless tyres for higher stability and tire life and Air-conditioning to keep the driver fit and alert (optional equipment) along with a fuel theft protection device. Other key safety features like crash-tested steel cabins and Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) have been standard on BharatBenz trucks since the brand’s market launch in 2012 already. The interior was revamped with a new, washable seat fabric that provides even more seating comfort and allows easy maintenance. The premium variant comes with features like all-black interiors and a dashboard with a wooden look that elevates the ambience of the driver’s workplace to a luxury-like look & feel.