Chennai: Truck maker Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) will start production on the second shift at its plant in Oragadam from next week. The company, which launched its used truck business BharatBenz Exchange on Friday, has seen strong ‘traction’ for its products driven by demand from e-commerce, mining and construction segments, said MD & CEO Satyakam Arya.
The company is also studying new product segments to enter — including electric mobility options for last-mile light cargo carriers. “Light cargo will be the first segment to go electric in commercial vehicles because their intra and inter city needs can be met with current battery options,” said Arya. “In markets like Japan, we have a product called e-Canter which caters to part of this segment. It’s the highest volume segment and will grow further with changing diesel prices and it is one of the segments we are looking at and studying right now,” he added.
As for the used truck business, the company plans to roll out BharatBenz Exchange in all its dealerships. “Already 60% of our dealerships have enrolled and the balance will enroll shortly,” said Arya. The company expects to add 10% customers to its new truck business through the exchange programme and expects the used business to be three times the new. It is tying up with NBFCs and financiers and will offer leasing options too. “The used business will be extended to buses too,” said Arya.