Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, has expanded its BharatBenz bus portfolio with the launch of two new products—the BharatBenz Torqshift 1926 AMT heavy-duty bus chassis for intercity travel and the BharatBenz 917 fully built bus for the growing compact bus segment.
The company said India’s bus market offers strong growth potential as the country currently has only about 24 buses per 100,000 people, well below the target of 60 buses per 100,000 people. Rising urbanisation and increasing demand for feeder, last-mile and intercity transport are expected to drive future growth.
The new BharatBenz Torqshift 1926 AMT is equipped with the globally proven Torqshift Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) technology and a 260 hp engine. The automatic transmission reduces driver fatigue by eliminating frequent clutch and gear operation, while improving fuel efficiency and lowering operating costs. It is aimed at intercity routes of up to 500 km and offers features such as intelligent Eco Roll, multiple drive modes, cruise control, hill-start assist, tyre pressure and temperature monitoring, glide air suspension, a five-stage electromagnetic retarder, and maintenance-free hub bearings.
The BharatBenz 917, an 8-metre fully built bus, is designed for school, staff and institutional transport. It comes with safety features including ABS, Electronic Vehicle Stability Control (EVSC), seat belts for all passengers, a large emergency door, fire detection and protection systems, and an optional PM2.5 air purification system. Passenger comfort is enhanced with air-conditioning, ergonomic seating, anti-skid flooring, retractable steps and under-seat storage.
Speaking at the launch, Andamuthu Ponnusamy, Head of Bus Business, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said the Torqshift 1926 helps fleet operators improve uptime, reduce driver fatigue and lower lifecycle costs, while the BharatBenz 917 delivers the safety and comfort required for school and staff transport.
Both products will be available through BharatBenz’s network of over 420 authorised sales and service outlets across India. The company has also tied up with more than 20 banks and NBFCs, offering financing solutions with interest rates starting from 7.5% per annum.
