Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Expands R&D Investment for BharatBenz Truck Upgrades

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles strengthened its engineering and product development efforts during FY2025 by investing Rs 211 crore in research and development activities aimed at expanding and upgrading its commercial vehicle portfolio. The Chennai-based company allocated 2.02% of its total turnover toward R&D initiatives, according to its latest Board Report sourced from Tofler. The investment reflects the company’s focus on localized engineering, imported technology adaptation and vehicle platform enhancement to meet changing mobility demands in India. The company stated that its engineering programs are designed to address future transportation requirements while improving operational performance and customer value.

DICV Focuses on Platform Upgrades and Vehicle Efficiency

DICV’s R&D priorities in FY2025 covered multiple commercial vehicle technologies intended to improve fuel efficiency, durability and driver comfort. The company worked on heavy-duty gear ratio optimization, variable steering gearbox systems, wind deflectors for aerodynamic efficiency and suspension upgrades for trucks and buses. Additional engineering programs included automated manual gearbox development for mining vehicles, tire pressure monitoring systems for premium buses and a common electrical and electronics architecture. These developments are expected to improve uptime, simplify diagnostics, reduce driver fatigue and lower the total cost of ownership for fleet operators across various commercial transport applications.

Imported Transmission Technology to Support Localization

The report highlighted DICV’s strategy of using imported technology as a foundation for local engineering adaptation. One key technology under integration is the G131 AMT transmission designed for heavy-duty truck platforms. The import timeline for the transmission extends from 2024 to 2027, with its current development status identified as “Pre-QG09.” This indicates that the technology remains in the early stages of localization and validation. Engineering teams are adapting the transmission system to suit Indian operating environments, load conditions and cost expectations while ensuring compatibility with local commercial vehicle requirements and long-haul operating cycles.

Localization Strategy Drives Supplier Development

DICV stated that its products are benchmarked against global standards while being customized for Indian transportation conditions. The company emphasized that new development programs increasingly rely on locally sourced components supported by upgraded technology capabilities among domestic suppliers. This localization strategy is intended to improve product reliability, maintain competitive operating costs and strengthen supply chain efficiency. In the Indian commercial vehicle market, where fleet operators prioritize uptime and operating expense control, localized engineering and supplier integration remain critical for long-term competitiveness and service support.

BharatBenz HX Series Targets Construction and Mining Growth

Since August, DICV has been offering the new BharatBenz HX series tailored for India’s growing construction and mining sector. The lineup includes the 2828C HX and 3532C HX heavy-duty truck models designed for demanding operating environments. The company conducted extensive customer trials across construction and mining sites in India using more than 150 vehicles. According to DICV, these trials demonstrated notable improvements in operational efficiency under challenging working conditions. The HX series forms part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in specialized heavy-duty commercial vehicle applications.

Key BharatBenz HX Series Highlights

India Remains a Strategic Growth Market for Daimler Truck

Daimler Truck AG identified India as an important long-term growth market in its annual report for 2025. DICV reported sales of 22,356 units during the year compared to 21,434 units in the previous fiscal year. The company stated that its Indian operations represent a strategic opportunity for building domestic market scale while supporting profitable export growth. DICV, established in 2012 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, manufactures trucks ranging from 9 to 55 tons along with BharatBenz buses and bus chassis for domestic and export markets.

DICV Expands Manufacturing and Export Operations

DICV operates its integrated manufacturing and engineering facility at Oragadam near Chennai. The 400-acre facility houses manufacturing operations, a modern testing track, research and development centers and training infrastructure. The company has invested more than Rs 9560 crore in its Indian business operations and exports commercial vehicles and components to over 70 international markets across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. The company’s expanding engineering activities and localized product programs are expected to further strengthen its position in India’s evolving commercial vehicle sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Daimler India Commercial Vehicles increase R&D spending in FY2025?
Daimler India Commercial Vehicles increased R&D spending in FY2025 to strengthen localized product development, upgrade heavy-duty truck platforms and improve operational efficiency for commercial vehicles in India. The company invested Rs 211 crore to support technologies such as automated manual transmissions, suspension upgrades, aerodynamics and electronic architecture systems. These engineering initiatives are intended to improve fuel economy, reliability, driver comfort and total ownership costs while adapting imported technologies to Indian operating conditions and supporting future growth in construction, mining and transportation sectors.

What is the significance of the BharatBenz HX series for DICV?
The BharatBenz HX series is important for DICV because it targets India’s expanding construction and mining industries with specialized heavy-duty truck solutions. The series includes the 2828C HX and 3532C HX models, both tested extensively across demanding operating sites using more than 150 trial vehicles. According to the company, the testing process demonstrated improved operational efficiency and performance under challenging conditions. The HX series also supports DICV’s strategy of strengthening its heavy-duty commercial vehicle portfolio through localized engineering, durability enhancements and application-focused product development.