First locally produced Mercedes-Benz Actros handed over to Indian customers
Stuttgart/Pune Thursday November 1, 2007 (DriveInside.com)
The world’s largest truck & bus manufacturer, Daimler AG, intensifies its presence in the Indian commercial vehicles market
Launch of locally assembled Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks in India, Manufactured in Pune
After-Sales network to be expanded from 4 to 11 locations by the end of 2008
The Indian subsidary of Daimler AG, DaimlerChrysler India Pvt. Ltd., today handed over keys of the locally assembled Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks to its first batch of customers and thus reinforces its presence in the Indian commercial vehicles market. Targeted at heavy mining applications, the first batch of locally assembled Actros 4840K rolled out from the Mercedes-Benz plant in Pune today.
Currently operating out of a rented facility in Pune, DaimlerChrysler India will shift its operations to Chakan at the beginning of 2009 where a factory for the assembly of trucks and buses will be operational.
The Actros features state of the art technology, robust build quality, uncompromising standards of vehicle engineering, low operating costs, safety and driver-comfort - hallmarks of the Mercedes-Benz brand. The 12 liter Actros engine delivers about 400 horse power which makes it one of the most powerful engines across the tipper segment of the Indian commercial vehicles industry.
“We are bullish about India and excited to offer the locally produced Actros to our Indian customers. We are confident that with the growing economy and focus on infrastructural development, India will be one of our major markets for commercial vehicles.We look forward to expand our presence in this vibrant market,” commented Andreas Renschler, Member of the Board of Daimler AG and Head of Daimler Trucks.
“The positive feedback of our customers regarding reliability and low ‘Total Cost of Ownership’ has encouraged us to make further investments in India. We also will extend our network from 4 to 11 locations by the end of 2008,” remarked Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of DaimlerChrysler India.
Daimler Trucks is a division of Daimler AG and the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Daimler Trucks and its five leading brands – Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star and Fuso – have more than 50 locations in Western Europe, Asia, the NAFTA region, and Latin America. In 2006, Daimler Trucks sold 516,000 trucks worldwide.