[binaiks]

Has deliveries of BB trucks commenced ? I saw one yesterday morning parked near that "Circle" Mariamman temple near Yeshwantpur. Could not identify the model since I was in a fast moving bus.

[kar_meh]

Taking the Competition Head on – Bulls Fight Getting Closer


Tata Motors has been producing trucks for last 60 Years and it’s very difficult for a new company to generate that Trust Level to divert big chunk of customers to them. They will definitely live up and sell initial good numbers, all thanks to the hype they had created by highly focused marketing activities but to keep the momentum on it will take much more than a Power Yatra and press conferences.

CV industry is a long way to go and it’s one of most dynamic industry. Even the best of the CV Pundits have not been able to predict its trend. Amid high cyclic downturn speculation FY12 was on a boom with 18.2% towards north. I was just reading few of the comments like "OK TATA Bye Bye" and "All highway users would love to see Tata's Demise". Well to reach any conclusion or before drawing a line we need to under stand both the products (Tata & BB).

When BB came in 6 years ago, they had bench marked the CV range of vehicles available in India. So after bench marking here is what they had to offer against each of the Tata Product.

Tata Bharat Banz
LPT2518 LPT2523
LPK2518 LPT2523
LPT3118 LPT3123
LPS4018 Not Available as of Now
LPS4923 LPS4928
LPT1109 LPT1214
LPT909 LPT914

Bharat Benz products (M&HCV) are based on the Axor Platform which may be fit and fine for Indian market but Daimer AG (Parent Company) has shifted on to Actros Platform World Wide decades ago.

The Passage to Indian CV industry has not been easy to breach in past and the job is much more difficult today which is very much evident from failures of 7 JVs as of now.


*Source: - Forbes India

Ashok Leyland the second largest CV manufacturer after Tata is at 21% MS. The gap is mammoth “41%” with Tata at 62% MS (MS calculated considering all products from Sub 1T category to 49T Category).



The Road Ahead

It’s not going to be easy for BB in India, well it’s not going to be easy for Tata as well to save its Market Share. With competition increasing from all sides (AL, MN, AMW, VECV, and now BB) it’s a tough task ahead.

Tata is definitely prepared when it comes to products. Auto Expo 2012 was the platform when Tata Motors showcased its future products:-


Ultra 1017 Ultra 714

Prima 4028 Prima 4928


Prima 4023 LX



Tata Motors spends close to 800 Crore on R&D for its Indian arm (Excluding JLR) which is one of the highest among its Indian counterparts.

Understanding the Practical Situations of CV Industry/Fleet Operator:-

1. Having big pockets filled with Cash is not only one thing which can take you ahead in the CV industry as being commented by some my fellow friends.
2. With huge investments coming from channel partners’ viability will be one major issue as overheads will remain high.
3. Though some have complained regarding the present slow moving, smoke spewing trucks on highways. Do we have infra to support high speed trucking in India.
4. Also would like to highlight the rolling speeds of present range of trucks is way higher than what any common man thinks of. (In excess of 80 Kmph).
5. The drivers who are handed over the vehicles ply them in the speed range of 50 Kmph to 65 Kmph as this is the highest fuel efficiency band. Any saving in fuel directly goes into the driver’s pockets.
6. In this dynamic industry any new product launch can change the entire game. A 37 Tonner being launched by Tata, AL, AMW which may lead to a segment shift is still under conceptualization stage with many other competitors.

Coming months will be a litmus test for Tata & its competitors. Though volumes are set to grow there will a shift of Market Shares. Whatever happens it will be fun to watch the “Bulls Locking Horns” – One trying to save its “Pie of Business” and the other trying to grab one.

[GTO]

First Bharat Benz Truck Rolls!

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles commenced commercial production and rolled out the first 25-tonne BharatBenz truck off the assembly line.

The first product scheduled for market launch is the 2523 Heavy Duty Truck with 230 HP, based on the Mercedes-Benz Axor platform.

The market launch of BharatBenz trucks is scheduled for September 2012.

[Nikhilb2008]

I've seen a few Bharat Benz trucks and they look really good. Superb quality. Hardly what you would expect when you say "truck". Tata's new trucks also look really good. Especially the Prima range.

Indian CV users will really benefit thanks to this competition.

[Autokrat]

Originally Posted by directinjection

...When you load 20 tonnes in a truck designed to carry only 10, it is bound to crawl and belch smoke irrespective of the manufacturer. It is not that BB is introducing Euro-VI compliant trucks in India. Even if it did, our transporters will make them smoke!
...

I tend to agree with direct injection. And on the topic of "belching smoke", wasn't the Volvo B7R bus once of the worst on Indian Roads ? Those who have travelled behind a volvo bus would know for sure!. Fuel quality and adulateration are also reasons for this. It appears the oil companies in India are not wanting to take responsibility for the quality of fuel at the dispensing stations.

Mod's Note: Stop quoting complete posts. Take only as much as relevant to set your reply context.

We have edited out the quoted part to only keep to the minimum needed here.

Also, do not make the same post multiple times. We have deleted your double post.

[joshguy]

I had been to Oragadam today where Daimler factory is located,Looks like product is ready to hit showrooms.

Any news on the pricing strategy ?

Now the pics

[Ashley2]

There will be initial seeding of 500 trucks pan India before actual sales getting started in Sep. Multi axle rigids are given already. Tippers are getting to be delivered and articulated long haul trucks are yet to be given for user trial. Pricing currently in the same league of TM/AL and will be increased during actual launch.

[dhandapanik]

Spotted this Bharat Benz truck at Madurai yesterday. It is owned by Ghatge Patil Transports private limited.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by dhandapanik

Spotted this Bharat Benz truck at Madurai yesterday. It is owned by Ghatge Patil Transports private limited.

Attachment 966556

Looks so muck like a truck and not a behemoth on stilts though the rear wheels are almost fouling. Thanks for the first pic on the road.

[Auto freak]

Spotted 2 Bharat Benz trucks being filmed probably for an ad or a media test drive review on the Chennai bypass minutes before!

[sanjaykk]

Spotted this 'under test' truck on Bangalore - Salem highway.
It had a paper with JCBL pasted at the back (above the temp number plate; not visible clearly in the picture).









Mods: could not find a thread on JCBL trucks. Please merge if existing.

[AlphaKilo]

Originally Posted by sanjaykk

Spotted this 'under test' truck on Bangalore - Salem highway.

Mods: could not find a thread on JCBL trucks. Please merge if existing.

Its Bharat Benz trucks - see below!

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/commer...t-chennai.html

[kiku007]

Came across this good article about DICV.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dicv-...rrali-thalor-/

Marc Llistosella, Former boss of DICV:
“For the first seven years here, I never drove a status symbol like the Mercedes Benz, because for me the priority was to ensure we became profitable in this country. My first car here was the Toyota Innova; I still have it. It is a good example of being cost conscious.”