Drsandeepjhaliver at 20:34, 19 January 2026

2026-01-19T20:34:53Z

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{{short description|Brand of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = BharatBenz
| logo = BharatBenz logo.jpg
| logo_size = 200px
| type = [[Brand (business)|Brand]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2011|02|17|df=yes}}
| location_city = [[Chennai]]
| location_country = India
| locations =
| area_served =
| key_people = Satyakam Arya<br />{{small|([[Managing director|MD]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])}}
| industry = [[Automotive industry|Automotive]]
| products = {{Bulleted_list|[[Truck]]s|[[Bus]]es}}
| services = Financial services
| revenue = {{up}} {{INRConvert|10665|c}} (2023)
| operating_income =
| net_income = {{up}} {{INRConvert|305|c}} (2023)
| assets =
| equity =
| num_employees = 4,000 +
| parent = [[Daimler India Commercial Vehicles]]
| owner = [[Daimler Truck]]
| caption =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| website = {{URL|http://www.bharatbenz.com}}
}}

'''BharatBenz''' is a brand of [[Daimler India Commercial Vehicles]] (DICV), itself a wholly owned subsidiary of the German manufacturer [[Daimler Truck|Daimler Truck AG]].<ref name="DN1">[https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko.xhtml?oid=9916839 Daimler News]{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daimlertruck.com/products/trucks/bharatbenz/ |title=BharatBenz Trucks |publisher=Daimler Truck AG |access-date=2021-12-28}}</ref> The brand is known for its trucks and buses. The headquarters of BharatBenz is at [[Oragadam]], [[Chennai]], India.

The “Bharat” part is [[Bharat (term)|symbolic for India]].<ref name="DN1"/>

==History==

[[File:BharatBenz 3143 Mining truck. Spielvogel 1.JPG|thumb|right|210px|BharatBenz [[Tipper truck]] at exhibition [[International Motor Show Germany|IAA]] 2014 in Hanover, Germany]]
In 2008, Daimler AG planned to enter the Indian market in a joint venture with [[Hero MotoCorp]] to build medium and [[Heavy commercial vehicle|heavy commercial vehicles]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141221011458/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-07-07/news/28386602_1_andreas-renschler-daimler-hero-jv-daimler-hero-motor-corporation Economic Times – Daimler-Hero JV to start in 2010, make 70,000 trucks]</ref> A joint venture named Daimler Hero Commercial Vehicles (DHCV) was formed under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in July 2008 with 60% holding of Daimler AG and 40% holding of Hero Group.<ref name="D">{{Cite web |url=http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-657342-1-1100913-1-0-0-0-0-1-11701-614240-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html/ |title=Daimler News – The Indo-German joint venture Daimler Hero Commercial Vehicles (DHCV) |access-date=2012-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422024658/http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-657342-1-1100913-1-0-0-0-0-1-11701-614240-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html |archive-date=2016-04-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Daimler AG and Hero Group announced they dissolved the Daimler Hero Commercial Vehicles Ltd. joint venture on 15 April 2009 because of an economic downturn in India.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/hero-pulls-outrs-4400cr-daimler-jv_393446.html/ |title=Money Control News- Hero pulls out of Rs 4400cr Daimler JV |access-date=2012-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526115604/http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/hero-pulls-outrs-4400cr-daimler-jv_393446.html/ |archive-date=2015-05-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-7171-1-1199920-1-0-0-0-0-0-9296-7164-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html/ Daimler News – Repositioning of the Daimler Hero Commercial Vehicles Ltd. joint venture in India] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321215942/http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-7171-1-1199920-1-0-0-0-0-0-9296-7164-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html/ |date=21 March 2012 }}</ref> Hero Group decided to focus on core operation and return the 40% stake in DHCV joint venture to Daimler AG.<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Auto/Hero-exits-truck-J-V-with-Daimler-citing-slowdown/Article1-400762.aspx/ Hindustan Times – Hero exits truck J-V with Daimler, citing slowdown]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> With 100% stake, Daimler AG renamed DHCV as Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV).

[[File:BHARATBENZ Light Duty Truck 914 R. front 2. Spielvogel 2012.JPG|thumb|right|210px|BharatBenz MDT (Medium- Duty Truck) 914]]
The launch of the BharatBenz brand was announced on 17 February 2011 in Chennai by Daimler AG Chairman Dieter Zetsche and the first BharatBenz truck was unveiled on 4 January 2012 at the Delhi Auto Expo.<ref name="N1"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bharatbenz.com/news2/ |title=Daimler News – Daimler Unveils BharatBenz – An Exclusive Brand for its Trucks in India |access-date=2012-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414164145/http://www.bharatbenz.com/news2/ |archive-date=2017-04-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The decision to launch the brand was prompted by Daimler's determination to compete in the fast-growing Indian truck market against existing Indian brands such as [[Ashok Leyland]], [[Tata Motors]] and Indian ventures of other leading global truck manufacturers like VE Commercial Vehicles ([[Volvo]]-[[Eicher Motors]]-Joint Venture). The entire proposed truck line-up in the 9 to 49-tonne range was unveiled on 2 March 2012.<ref name="N1"/>

In early 2014 BharatBenz launched the [[Semi-trailer truck|tractor trailer]] models and a construction model making itself a full range player in the segment above 9T category spanning across medium and heavy-duty truck segments.

In May 2015, BharatBenz inaugurated its new bus manufacturing facility in Oragadam, Chennai and unveiled its second wave of products – BharatBenz and Mercedes-Benz [[Bus|buses]] as well as a new range of BharatBenz trucks and BharatBenz heavy-duty [[Tractor truck|tractors]].

==Bus==
A range of buses has been launched by BharatBenz.

=== Buses ===

* 1624 (Bus chassis with OM926 engine, 240 hp power output)
* 1824 (Bus chassis with OM926 engine)
* 917 integral (Staff and [[school bus]] on 917 chassis with Wrightbus bodywork. 170 hp 4D34i engine)
* 1017 School Bus (125kW 4D34i engine)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best-In-Class Buses That Power You Ahead {{!}} BharatBenz |url=https://www.bharatbenz.com/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=www.bharatbenz.com |language=en}}</ref>
* 1017 Staff Bus (125kW 4D34i engine)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best-In-Class Buses That Power You Ahead {{!}} BharatBenz |url=https://www.bharatbenz.com/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=www.bharatbenz.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Trucks==
[[File:BHARATBENZ Heavy Duty Truck 3128 C. right side. Spielvogel 2012.jpg|thumb|right|210px| BharatBenz HDT 3128 C (heavy-duty truck)]]
The BharatBenz heavy-duty trucks are built on the [[Mercedes-Benz Axor]] platform, and the [[Medium-duty truck|medium-duty trucks]] on the [[Mitsubishi Fuso Canter|Fuso Canter]] and [[Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter|Fuso Fighter]] series.<ref name="Z">[https://archive.today/20120109002429/http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/news/bharatbenz-reveals-made-in-india-truck/11110/1/ ZigWheels – BharatBenz reveals 'Made in India' truck]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.autocarindia.com/News/285832,bharatbenzs-17-new-products.aspx/ |title=AutoCarIndia – BharatBenz's 17 new products |access-date=2012-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111135326/http://www.autocarindia.com/News/285832,bharatbenzs-17-new-products.aspx |archive-date=2012-01-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The entire product line meets BSIII standards (comparable to [[Euro III]]).<ref name="N1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.bharatbenz.com/news1/ |title=BharatBenz News – Daimler Reveals Its First Truck "Made in India" |access-date=2012-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221150618/http://www.bharatbenz.com/news1 |archive-date=2012-02-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> All BharatBenz (17 models) trucks are slated to be up to 9% more expensive but be 10% more fuel efficient than the competition.<ref name="forbesindia.com">{{Cite web |url=http://forbesindia.com/article/big-bet/the-german-invasion-of-the-indian-trucking-sector/32672/0 |title="The German invasion of the Indian trucking sector" |access-date=18 July 2012 |archive-date=20 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720054358/http://forbesindia.com/article/big-bet/the-german-invasion-of-the-indian-trucking-sector/32672/0 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The Fuso medium and heavy-duty trucks produced in Chennai are also being exported to markets of [[Africa]] and [[Asia]], under Daimler's Asia Business Model.
BharatBenz crossed 30,000 units sale mark in January 2016.

From November 2015, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles started delivery of its first set of made-in-India buses.<ref name="A1">{{cite news | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/auto/news/daimler-ag-rolls-out-bharatbenz-buses-in-india/articleshow/49805232.cms | title=Daimler AG rolls out BharatBenz buses in India | date=16 November 2015 | newspaper=The Economic Times | agency=PTI | access-date=11 July 2020 }}</ref> The front engine buses are branded as BharatBenz and are based on the [[Mitsubishi]] Fuso Canter platform. These are available in school, staff and tourist variants. The rear engine buses are branded as Mercedes-Benz and are based on the [[Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE|Mercedes-Benz O-500]] series. Daimler India Commercial Vehicles have tied-up with Ireland-based organisation WrightBus<ref name="A2">[http://www.ballymenatimes.com/news/business/wrightbus-open-factory-in-india-1-6767915 "WrightBus open factory in India"]</ref> for bus body building. WrightBus is known for their unique patented aluminique alloy structure, which is lighter and stronger than conventional steel, increasing [[fuel efficiency]] and making the buses safer.

On 22 August 2024, DICV launched its a new range of BharatBenz heavy-duty [[Rigid truck|rigid trucks]] powered by the all-new BharatBenz BSVI-Stage2 6.7-litre diesel engine. Models in the all-new BharatBenz heavy-duty rigid range will be available to customers needing 2826R (6x2), 3526R (8x2), 3832R (8x2), 4232R (10x2) and 4832R (10x2) configurations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pegu |first=Violina |date=August 23, 2024 |title=BharatBenz Heavy-Duty Rigid Truck Range Launched with 10L Km AMC |url=https://coachbuildersindia.com/bharatbenz-heavy-duty-rigid-trucks-launched/ |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=Coach Builders India}}</ref>

Daimler is also exporting these buses under the brand of Mercedes-Benz to African and South-Asian markets.<ref name="A3">[https://web.archive.org/web/20150531063451/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-05-28/auto/62765617_1_tourist-buses-school-buses-built-buses "Daimler exports buses from India"]</ref>

=== Trucks ===

====MDT====

* 1117R (11T GVW Truck, 125 kW)
* 1217C (13T GVW Truck, 125 kW)
* 1217R (12T GVW Truck, 125 kW)
* 1217RE (13T GVW Truck, 125 kW)
* 1417R (14.5T GVW Truck, 125 kW)
* 1417RE (14.5T GVW Truck, 125 kW)
* 1617R (16T GVW Truck, 125kW)
* 1617RD (16T GVW Truck, 125kW)
* 1917R (18.5T GVW Truck, 125kW)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Medium Duty Trucks - Commercial Vehicle manufacturer in Indian {{!}} BharatBenz BS VI Trucks|url=https://www.bharatbenz.com/|access-date=2022-02-25|website=www.bharatbenz.com|language=en}}</ref>

====HDT C====

* 1926C (18.5T GVW Tipper, 191kW)
* 2826C (28T GVW Tipper, 191kW)
* 2828C (28T GVW Tipper, 210kW)
* 2832CM (28T GVW Tipper, 236kW)
* 3528C (35T GVW Tipper, 210kW)
* 3532CM (35T GVW Tipper, 236kW) <ref>{{Cite web|title=Tipper Trucks - Heavy truck manufactures in India {{!}} Bharatbenz|url=https://www.bharatbenz.com/|access-date=2022-02-25|website=www.bharatbenz.com|language=en}}</ref>

====HDT R====

* 2623R (25.5T GVW Truck, 180kW)

* 2823R (28T GVW Truck, 180kW)
* 3123R (31T GVW Truck, 180kW)
* 3523R (35T GVW Truck, 180kW)
* 3528R (38T GVW Truck, 210kW)
* 4228R (42T GVW Truck, 210kW)
* 4828R (47.5T GVW Truck, 210kW)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Haulage Trucks - Heavy duty transport vehicles manufacturer in Indian {{!}} BharatBenz BS VI Trucks |url=https://www.bharatbenz.com/ |access-date=2022-02-25 |website=www.bharatbenz.com |language=en}}</ref>

====HDT RT====

* 2823RT (28T GVW Truck,180kW)
* 3523RT (35T GVW Truck,180kW)
* 4228RT (42T GVW Truck, 210kW)
* 5428T (47.5T GVW Truck, 210kW)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heavy Duty Rigid Tippers Trucks - Heavy duty transport vehicles manufacturer in India {{!}} BharatBenz |url=https://www.bharatbenz.com/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=www.bharatbenz.com |language=en}}</ref>
'''HDT T'''

* 4023T (39.5T GVW Tractor Trailer, 180kW)
* 4028T (39.5T GVW Tractor Trailer, 210kW)
* 4628T 4x2 (45.5T GVW Tractor Trailer, 210kW)
* 5528T 4x2 (55T GVW Tractor Trailer, 210kW)
* 4032T (39.5T GVW Tractor Trailer, 236kW)
* 5032T (50T GVW Tractor Trailer, 236kW)
* 5432T (54T GVW Tractor Trailer, 236kW)
* 5532T 4x2 (55T GVW Tractor Trailer, 236kW)
* 5532T 6x4 (55T GVW Tractor Trailer, 236kW)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tractor Trailer Trucks Heavy duty transport vehicles manufacturer in India {{!}} BharatBenz |url=https://www.bharatbenz.com/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=www.bharatbenz.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Production facility==
DICV set up a manufacturing plant for the BharatBenz trucks in [[Oragadam]], near [[Chennai]] in [[Tamil Nadu]] at an investment of over €700 million ({{INR}}44 billion).<ref name="N1"/> This is its biggest investment outside Europe.<ref name="forbesindia.com"/> Construction area for plant is 400 acres, out of which 47 acres are dedicated to 3-lane 1.55 kilometer test track.<ref name="N3"/> Test track include a bump track, pothole testing and articulation sections, a water trough, an inspection ramp and a control tower.<ref name="N3">{{Cite web |url=http://www.bharatbenz.com/news3/ |title=BharatBenz News – Daimler India Commercial Vehicles unveils Test Track at Oragadam, near Chennai |access-date=2012-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221150359/http://www.bharatbenz.com/news3 |archive-date=2012-02-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Initial production capacity at the plant was 36000 units per year for 2012 and was to be expanded to 70,000 units per year by the start of 2013 with an additional investment of {{INR}}3.5 billion.<ref name="F">[http://www.financialexpress.com/news/dicv-to-roll-out-bharatbenz-trucks-by-q3-2012/895752/1/ Financial Express – DICV to roll out BharatBenz trucks by Q3 2012] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225041620/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/dicv-to-roll-out-bharatbenz-trucks-by-q3-2012/895752/1/ |date=25 February 2014 }}</ref> Series production started in June 2012 with the 2523R truck; sales began in September 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Right on schedule: First series-produced BharatBenz truck rolls off the assembly line|url=http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-633234-1-1503374-1-0-0-0-0-0-12071-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html|work=Daimler AG|access-date=25 June 2012|date=21 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112093418/http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-633234-1-1503374-1-0-0-0-0-0-12071-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html|archive-date=12 November 2012}}</ref>

Currently, BharatBenz has over, 3500 employees including both Indian and German staff. Localization rate for BharatBenz truck is 85%<ref name="forbesindia.com"/> with more than 450 local suppliers out of which 41 percent are based in Tamil Nadu and 44 percent are in rest of the country, with an aim to exceed 90%.<ref name="F"/>

Daimler has test driven its trucks a distance of 4.5 million km in various conditions at its test track in Oragadam.<ref name="forbesindia.com"/>

===Research and development facility===
DICV set up a research and development facility at Oragadam manufacturing plant with an initial investment of {{INR}}12 billion.<ref name="BL">[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article2774553.ece/ Business Line – Daimler India working on new range of buses to take on Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213084102/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article2774553.ece/ |date=13 February 2012 }}</ref>

=== Bus manufacturing plant ===
On 27 May 2015, DICV inaugurated its new bus manufacturing facility in Oragadam, Chennai.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Daimler India CV opens all-new bus plant, reveals new products|url = http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/daimler-india-cv-bus-plant-reveals-products-8487|website = www.autocarpro.in|access-date = 2015-05-28}}</ref> The new state-of-the-art bus manufacturing plant, constructed within the existing premises of DICV spread across an area of 27.91 acres, will manufacture and assemble buses under two brands: Mercedes-Benz and BharatBenz. With an investment of Rs 425 crore, the bus plant is set up for an initial capacity of 1,500 units which can be further expanded to 4,000 units subsequently.

=== Partnerships ===
On 30 July 2024, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), announced its strategic partnership with [[Bajaj Finance]] to provide customized financing solutions for its commercial vehicle customers and dealerships.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-30 |title=Daimler India Partners With Bajaj Finance For Easy Finance Solutions {{!}} Coach Builders India |url=https://coachbuildersindia.com/daimler-india-partners-with-bajaj-finance/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> This collaboration aims to enhance the accessibility and convenience of financing options for DICV's entire range of Bharat Benz commercial vehicles.

== Milestones ==
* On 11 August 2016, the 50,000th truck rolled off the line at DICV. DICV reached this milestone just four years after the first vehicle left the line and one year after the 30,000th vehicle was produced.
* In January 2017, the 5000th bus chassis was rolled out of the Daimler Buses India plant. Currently, available bus models from this facility are Mercedes-Benz SHD 2436 (multi axle) – BSIV version, Bharat Benz & Mercedes-Benz 9Ton. In April 2017, a new model of front engine 16ton 230 hp (1623) buses was launched in the Indian market (seater and sleeper versions).
* On 12 April 2021 Bharat Benz Heavy duty truck HDT 5228T/5428T was awarded HCV Tractor-head Of The Year by [[Apollo Tyres|Apollo]] CV awards.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-12|title=CV Awards 2021 : The Winners Are {{!}}|url=https://commercialvehicle.in/cv-awards-2021-the-winners-are/|access-date=2022-02-25|language=en-GB}}</ref>
* In November 2024 Bharat Benz launched their first [[automatic transmission]] truck, the 3532CM this mining truck was equipped with Torqshift technology used globally in Mercedes Trucks. Bharat Benz would also launch tractors with automatic transmission to improve the driving conditions and experience in India.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.ETAuto.com |title=Daimler India launches BharatBenz Torqshift trucks with 12-speed AMT for enhanced mining and construction efficiency |url=https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/commercial-vehicle/daimler-india-launches-bharatbenz-torqshift-trucks-with-12-speed-amt-for-enhanced-mining-and-construction-efficiency/115803329 |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=ETAuto.com |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|BharatBenz}}
* {{Official website|http://www.bharatbenz.com/|BharatBenz official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120409173944/http://www.daimler-indiacv.com/ Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. website]

{{Automotive industry in India}}
{{Daimler Truck}}
{{Asian bus builders}}

[[Category:Truck manufacturers of India]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Chennai]]
[[Category:Daimler Truck]]
[[Category:2011 establishments in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 2011]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2011]]

BharatBenz - Revision history

Drsandeepjhaliver at 20:34, 19 January 2026