Daimler Trucks makes India a global export hub for BS VI trucks and buses

DICV plans to launch upgraded range of BS VI trucks and buses in Q1 2020; transition to BS VI opens up new opportunities to export fully-built vehicles, engines and parts to Mexico, Chile and Brazil from 2021-22.

By Autocar Professional Bureau

10 Sep 2019

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Daimler India Commercial Vehicles crossed the export milestone of producing 25,000 made-in-India vehicles in August 2019, six years after it began overseas shipments (file pic).

The transition to BS VI enables DICV to export fully-built vehicles, engines and parts to countries like Mexico, Chile and Brazil that will soon migrate to similar emission norms.

DICV has invested Rs 500 crore to localise its Euro 6 tech for India, completing 2m kilometres of testing and over 1,000 new parts. It says it has achieved 80% localisation rate on its products.

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) today announced and showcased its readiness to transition to the new emission norms of Bharat Stage VI, which come into force from April 2020. Worldwide, Daimler has already sold over 1.4 million vehicles equipped with Euro 6 technology, which is a BS VI equivalent emissions technology. In July 2019, DICV received certification for BS VI from ARAI for its heavy-duty 5588TT truck, confirming that it has successfully adapted its global expertise in Euro 6 emissions technology to the Indian market.

Depending upon the availability of BS VI fuel in India, DICV will officially launch its upgraded range of BS VI trucks and buses in Q1 2020. DICV will begin exporting its OM926 engine series internationally by 2021-22.

Speaking at DICV’s sneak preview today in Chennai, Satyakam Arya, managing director and CEO, DICV, said, “Daimler’s experience of already bringing 1.4 million Euro 6 trucks and buses on the roads means we are easily ready to transition our BharatBenz trucks and buses to BS VI by the April 2020 deadline. With this head-start, we will begin exporting India-built trucks by 2021-22.”

DICV has invested around Rs 500 crore to localise its Euro 6 technology for India, completing 2 million kilometres of testing and over 1,000 new parts. The company says it has achieved “an outstanding localisation rate of above 80 percent on its products.”

“The transition to BS VI opens up more opportunities to export fully-built vehicles, engines and parts to countries like Mexico, Chile and Brazil that will soon migrate to similar emission norms. This further strengthens India’s position as a global production network for Daimler Trucks & Buses,” said Satyakam Arya.

The company’s plant in Oragadam, Chennai, is the sole Daimler location worldwide which produces engines, transmissions, trucks and buses catering to four brands – BharatBenz, Fuso, Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner.

Also read: Daimler India CV drives past 25,000 export units mark in 6 years