In a conversation with Bus Coach India Magazine, Andamuthu Ponnusamy, Head of Bus Business at Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, lays out a clear and numbers-backed assessment of the company’s position in the school and luxury bus segments.
He points to 2024 as a milestone year, with BharatBenz recording its highest-ever bus sales of 2,200 units, marking a 10.5 percent year-on-year growth. According to him, this momentum is rooted in a sharp focus on safety, reliability and total cost of ownership. In the school transport segment, BharatBenz has built strong customer trust through structural integrity and disciplined manufacturing standards, elements that matter most when children’s safety is involved.
In the premium intercity category, the recently introduced BB1924 reflects what he describes as a solution designed around operator realities. Configured for 51 passengers with a 19.5-tonne GVW, the platform integrates a five-stage electromagnetic retarder to significantly reduce brake wear, directly impacting maintenance economics. Features such as pneumatic suspension at both ends, factory-fitted Michelin radial tyres and a 7 mm high-tensile steel frame further reinforce its positioning as a robust, engineered offering rather than a feature-driven product.
In the school and luxury bus segments, how would you assess DICV’s current market positioning in terms of product acceptance, customer trust, and competitive differentiation?
We hold a strong position built on measurable outcomes for our Bus Business. In 2024, we delivered our highest-ever bus sales—2,200 units, up 10.5% year-on-year. That happened because we focus on what matters: safety, reliability, and total cost of ownership.
In school transport, customers choose BharatBenz for structural integrity and consistent performance. High-tensile steel chassis, stability systems, and disciplined quality processes matter when you’re responsible for children’s safety.
In intercity, the BB1924 launched in December 2025 addresses real operator needs: 51-passenger capacity, 19.5-tonne GVW. The 5-stage electromagnetic retarder alone reduces brake wear significantly—operators see the difference in their maintenance costs. We differentiate through engineering. Pneumatic suspension front and rear, factory-fitted Michelin radials, and a 7mm thick high-tensile steel frame.
Q: What recent performance indicators or customer feedback trends reinforce your confidence in DICV’s growth potential in these premium bus segments?
Our confidence is reinforced by measurable outcomes from customer deployments and field trials. For instance, extensive real-world trials of the BB1924 across corridors such as Mumbai–Pune, Delhi–Jaipur, and Chennai–Bangalore have demonstrated a significant reduction in total cost of ownership compared to existing solutions, validating our engineering assumptions in real operating conditions. Additionally, operators increasingly highlight benefits such as reduced brake wear through the 5-stage electromagnetic retarder, engine braking, longer service intervals, and predictable uptime. These factors are leading to repeat orders and growing interest from fleet operators looking to standardise on reliable premium platforms, strengthening our outlook for sustained growth.
Q: Safety has become a critical concern across public transport, school transportation, and private fleets. How does DICV integrate safety into vehicle design, manufacturing processes, and driver support systems?
Safety is engineered in, not added on. Every BharatBenz bus includes ABS, Electronic Vehicle Stability Control, and CAN-based electromagnetic retarders as standard. These systems ensure enhanced control and shorter braking distances—critical when you’re operating at highway speeds or in demanding conditions.
The high-tensile steel chassis provides superior crash protection. This is about ensuring structural integrity that protects passengers in real-world incidents.
Beyond hardware, we support safety through driver training programs, predictive maintenance via IoT-based telematics, and quality processes aligned with Daimler Truck’s global standards. We operate the first OEM facility in India dedicated to comprehensive vehicle safety and Conformity of Production testing.
Q: How important are advanced driver assistance systems, connected technologies, and predictive maintenance in improving safety outcomes for buses in India?
Essential and increasingly expected.
Systems such as Electronic Stability Control, brake hold assist, cruise control, and real-time vehicle warnings through TFT displays support drivers in maintaining control, especially during long-haul and high-speed intercity operations. Equally important is predictive maintenance enabled by IoT-based telematics, which allows operators to anticipate failures, minimise downtime, and ensure critical components are attended to proactively. This integrated approach significantly improves safety outcomes while also supporting operational profitability.
Q: What is your long-term vision for strengthening DICV’s brand in India as a modern, reliable, and future-ready mobility partner rather than just a vehicle manufacturer?
We’re building a lifecycle partnership model, not a transaction-based business. The foundation is product reliability—92% localization ensures parts availability and cost competitiveness leading to lower total cost of ownership (TCO). But reliability extends beyond the vehicle. Our 400 authorized touchpoints guarantee 95% parts availability within 24-48 hours. It’s a commitment backed by infrastructure. Financial access also matters. We’ve partnered with 15+ banks and NBFCs offering financing from 8.5% with flexible terms up to five years. For operators, capital access often determines fleet expansion capacity.
The 6-year/6-lakh-kilometer powertrain warranty, 24×7 roadside assistance, and optional AMC packages for the same duration reinforce our commitment beyond the sale. We provide predictive maintenance tools, regional-language training for drivers and technicians, and dedicated customer support. This ecosystem approach positions BharatBenz as a partner in operator profitability.
Q: From an R&D perspective, what are the key focus areas for DICV in product development, validation, and testing to meet evolving customer and regulatory expectations?
DICV’s R&D focus is centred on safety, durability, comfort, and regulatory readiness, with strong emphasis on local validation. Products such as the BB1924 are developed and tested extensively on Indian routes to ensure performance under high utilisation, varied terrain, and extreme climatic conditions. Key focus areas include ride quality, braking performance, structural integrity, and long service life—designed for 10–15 years of operation in demanding environments. Simultaneously, our teams work proactively to meet evolving emission norms, safety regulations, and readiness for future powertrain technologies.
Q: Daimler product development, including buses, is fully designed and manufactured in India. How does this localisation influence cost, performance, and market competitiveness?
High localisation is a core strength of DICV’s operating model. With up to 92% localisation, BharatBenz buses benefit from cost competitiveness, robust parts availability, and faster response to market needs. Local design and manufacturing also ensure that vehicles are optimised for Indian road conditions, fuel quality, and duty cycles, delivering superior real-world performance and durability. This localisation strategy not only strengthens competitiveness in India but also supports exports to multiple global markets.
Q: What differentiates Daimler buses from competitors in terms of design, technology, and after-sales support?
Daimler buses stand apart through a system-level approach that integrates engineering excellence with lifecycle support. From a product standpoint, features such as pneumatic suspension, high-tensile steel frames, electronic stability systems, and long service intervals deliver superior ride comfort, safety, and durability. Equally important is our after-sales ecosystem—with 400+ authorised touchpoints, guaranteed 95% parts availability within 24–48 hours, comprehensive warranties, predictive maintenance, and regionally delivered driver and technician training. This holistic value proposition ensures reliability not just at purchase, but throughout the ownership journey.