Thaindian News

Chennai, July 1 (IANS) German automobile group Daimler has rejigged its Indian operations, shifting the marketing and after sales activities of Actros trucks from Mercedes Benz India to Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, which is setting up a truck plant near here.
Mercedes Benz, however, will continue to assemble the Actros trucks at its Pune plant and supply Daimler India.

With the rejig, the Daimler group will have two different entities focused on two lines of business - goods trucks under Daimler India and passenger cars and buses under Mercedes Benz.

“With focus on the entire Indian truck market, Daimler India will consolidate the truck business in India. The company will be able to offer a dedicated approach with synergies for the premium segment of heavy transportation,” said Marc Llistosella, managing director of Daimler India.

Daimler India’s truck plant to roll out 6-49 tonne trucks is expected to go on stream in 2012.

“It makes sense to continue trucks assembly at the Mercedes Benz Pune plant, especially for the Actros. This will enable us utilise our investments effectively”, said Wilfried Aulbur, managing director and CEO of Mercedes Benz.

Last year the company had sold 230 Actros and during the current calendar year Mercedes Benz has logged 104 units till May, an official told IANS from Pune over phone.

The Actros trucks were sold directly to customers by Mercedes Benz and the after sales service was provided by nine stations.