DICV Achieves Record 2,200 Bus Sales, 65.9% Export Growth And INR 22 Billion in Service Revenue

DICV

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck, has reported a resilient and transformative performance in 2024,  despite a 10 percent decline in the Indian commercial vehicle market driven by macroeconomic headwinds, elections and erratic monsoons.

The company’s key performance highlights include record bus sales of 2,200 units, a 10.5 percent YoY growth and a 65.9 percent surge in bus exports. DICV’s customer service and aftermarket businesses also expanded significantly, with customer service revenue reaching INR 13 billion (up 27.8 percent) and aftermarket revenue growing 18 percent, together contributing over INR 22 billion to the company’s top line.

Satyakam Arya, MD and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said, “Despite numerous challenges, 2024 has been a year of resilience for us. In a time marked by geopolitical tensions and domestic elections, our entire industry faced significant tests. However, through collective strength, we have emerged stronger by focusing on what truly matters - our customers, products and people. Therefore, I am incredibly proud to share that we recorded our highest-ever bus sales, a remarkable milestone that reflects our dedication and hard work. Additionally, we expanded our aftermarket and customer service business, and took decisive actions in innovation, sustainability and transformation. Each of these achievements is the result of the strength and agility of our strategy and the exceptional team at DICV.”

Alexander Schoen, CFO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said, “Despite the tough market environment in 2024, our revenue mix developed positively, driven by a 30.7 percent growth in domestic bus revenue and 58.5 percent increase in bus export revenue. With our customer service and components business collectively generating over INR 22 billion, our business fundamentals remain strong. In addition to these financial successes, we have continued to invest in advanced technologies and sustainable practices that position us for long-term, sustainable growth.”

On the sustainability front, DICV achieved 100 percent renewable power usage (Scope 2) and became the first Indian facility to meet IGBC Green Factory Building V2 standards. Operationally, the company celebrated 10 years of global supply chain contributions through its Consolidation Center, having exported over 300 million parts globally.

In 2024, DICV also expanded its BharatBenz portfolio, launching new Heavy-Duty Rigid Trucks and the TorqShift AMT tipper range, which has already made a strong impact in the mining segment.

Under its organizational transformation program, ‘The BharatBenz Way’, DICV aims to embed Total Quality Management across operations, with ambitions to win the prestigious Deming Award.

Tata Motors Partners UCO Bank For Commercial Vehicle Financing

Tata Motors CV - UCO Bank

Tata Motors, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UCO Bank for financing solutions.

Through this collaboration, customers will have access to interest rates, loan approvals and processing. The agreement includes loan-to-value funding options and repayment tenures. The partners will coordinate across branches and dealerships to reach customers in urban and rural markets.

Shashikant Kumar, General Manager & Zonal Head – Mumbai, UCO Bank, said, “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Motors Limited marks another significant milestone in UCO Bank’s commitment to delivering innovative and customer centric financing solutions. Through this strategic partnership, we aim to provide seamless, competitive and timely financing for TATA Motors commercial vehicles, enabling entrepreneurs, fleet operators and businesses to expand with confidence.”

Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Ltd., said, “We are pleased to partner with UCO Bank to further strengthen the financing ecosystem for our commercial vehicle customers. Access to organised and competitive financing is a key enabler for our customers' growth, and UCO Bank's strong nationwide presence makes them an ideal partner in this endeavour. This MoU reinforces our commitment to delivering end-to-end solutions, from world-class vehicles to organised financing that empower our customers to grow their businesses with greater confidence and convenience.”

At present, Tata Motors’ product portfolio ranges from 1-tonne to 55-tonne cargo vehicles and 10-seater to 51-seater mass mobility solutions. The company provides services through its Sampoorna Seva 2.0 initiative, the Fleet Edge platform and a network of over 4,500 sales and service touchpoints.

Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper Coach Launched At Prawaas 5.0

Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper

Volvo Buses India, a business unit of VE Commercial Vehicles, has unveiled the Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper coach at the Prawaas 5.0 exhibition in Gandhinagar. It is designed to combine seating and sleeper configurations in a single platform for intercity, tourism and pilgrimage routes.

The 15-metre coach accommodates 51 passengers, featuring 24 upper-deck sleeper berths and 27 lower-deck seats equipped with calf support. It is powered by the Volvo VEDX8 engine and utilises an I-shift transmission. The interior includes an integrated kitchenette, an onboard toilet, mobile charging points and entertainment systems.

S S Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “India's bus industry is evolving rapidly, with rising passenger expectations for premium travel experiences and operators seeking higher productivity and operational efficiency. At Volvo Buses India, we continue to shape the future of mobility by combining globally proven engineering with innovations that address evolving needs of the Indian market. The Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper expands our premium coach portfolio with a flexible solution that meets customer expectations for safety, comfort and luxury."

Suresh Chettiar, Executive Vice-President – Bus Division, VE Commercial Vehicles, added, "The Volvo 9600 platform has been widely appreciated for setting new standards in luxury, safety and passenger comfort. Building on that success, we are introducing the Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper to meet the growing demand for more flexible premium travel solutions. Featuring 24 upper sleeper berths and 27 premium lower-deck seats with calf support, the new coach enables operators to efficiently cater to both short- and long-distance routes while delivering an elevated travel experience for passengers."

The vehicle introduces safety features, including a 360-degree camera system and camera-based electronic rear-view mirrors. It also includes a tyre pressure monitoring system, a driver state monitoring system to detect fatigue and an alcohol interlock system. The coach is equipped with a telematics solution for real-time monitoring of vehicle location, performance and fuel consumption.

Prawaas 5.0

The Prawaas 5.0 exhibition, an event focused on the public transport industry, has opened at the Helipad Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Scheduled from 9–11 July 2026, the exhibition is organised by the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) to coincide with its 10th anniversary.

The event, held under the theme ‘Towards Safe, Smart & Sustainable Passenger Mobility,’ brings together manufacturers, technology providers, and operators. Exhibitors include companies such as Tata Motors, VE Commercial Vehicles, Daimler, JBM, Force Motors, EKA Mobility, Switch Mobility and Sun Mobility, among others.

The exhibition showcases a range of technologies and solutions across the transport value chain, including electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, fleet management systems and digital platforms. The event aims to serve as a platform for industry stakeholders, including fleet owners, state transport undertakings and policymakers, to discuss developments in the sector.

The inauguration was led by Miraben Patel, Mayor of Gandhinagar and Kaushik Jain, MLA of Dariapur. Over the three-day programme, the exhibition will host product launches, conferences and business meetings intended to facilitate collaboration within the passenger transport sector.

SWITCH Mobility Unveils EiV9 Electric Bus At Prawaas 5.0

Ganesh Maini, CEO, Switch Mobility

SWITCH Mobility has introduced the SWITCH EiV9, a 9-metre electric bus, at the Prawaas 5.0 exhibition in Gandhinagar. The e-bus is designed for city transit, employee transportation, and school mobility.

It uses a Permanent Magnet Variable Reluctance (PMVR) motor that provides 213 kW of peak power. The Switch EiV9 features battery pack options, regenerative braking and dual-gun CCS2 charging. Safety features include a Fire Detection and Suppression System (FDSS) and disc brakes on the front and rear axles. The passenger cabin is equipped with air suspension, seating and USB charging points.

Ganesh Mani, CEO, Switch Mobility, said, "The launch of the all-new Switch EiV9 marks an important milestone in our growth journey as we strengthen our presence across key public and institutional mobility segments. We see strong momentum in this category, with the 9m electric bus market expected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 34% by FY30, driven by increasing demand. The EiV9 has been purpose-built to deliver what operators value most: higher efficiency, superior passenger comfort, advanced safety and lower operating costs. It represents our commitment to developing solutions that not only accelerate the adoption of electric mobility but also create tangible business value for our customers. At Switch Mobility, we believe the transition to cleaner transportation will be driven by practical choices that make both environmental and economic sense. This philosophy is reflected in our new #SwitchKaro campaign, which encourages fleet operators and businesses to make the switch to smarter, more sustainable mobility solutions."