Daimler Buses India, a unit of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), remains bullish on its business despite the prospects of facing a challenging 2019, according to a top official.
“The Indian bus sector is set to grow 4% annually. The year 2018 was better than 2017,” said Thomas Fricke, managing director, Daimler Buses India.
“We foresee the general elections and BS VI emission standards impacting us in 2019. However, the outlook remains positive due to some pre-buying that might happen after June 2019.” BS VI norms have been mandated for vehicles starting April 1, 2020.
Pointing out that India was the second-largest market for Daimler Buses globally after China, he said the country was expected to catch up with the Asian giant and added that in India, the firm was still in the growth phase.
During 2018, the firm sold 2,171 buses, including exports of 616 units, marking an increase of 65.6% over the year-earlier period. While the domestic market sales grew 72%, exports rose 50%. The sales volume in 2019 would be driven both by domestic and exports businesses, he said.
To launch new products
Mr. Fricke said the firm was committed to stay ‘strong’ in India with new product launches every year. About 70% of the buses produced were sold in India and the balance, exported.
On the BS VI front, he said the firm was on track to upgrade the entire portfolio to BS VI standard for BharatBenz 9-tonne buses, Mercedez-Benz coaches and bus chassis for the 9-, 16- and 24-tonne segments.
