Daimler India launches new luxury coach

DICV launches new 61-seater luxury coach in Chennai and hands over keys to the first lot to KPN Travels, Chennai

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has launched a new luxury coach in Chennai, the Mercedes-Benz Super High Deck SHD 2436. Alongside the launch, the company has handed over the keys to the first set of buses to a customer in Chennai. Manufactured in Daimler India’s Oragadam plant, the SHD 2436 has 61 reclining seats and 14 cubic meters of luggage space. The coach has an aluminum body to reduce weight and increase fuel efficiency. The new Mercedes luxury bus has an active steerable tug axle to cut down its turning radius and a strategically placed fuel tank for added safety along.

Erich Nesselhauf, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles and Markus Villinger, Managing Director, Daimler Buses India handed over the keys to the owner of KPN Travels, KPN Raajesh at the DICV Bus plant in Chennai. KPN Travels is one of the largest luxury coach operators in South India with a fleet size of over 330 intercity buses.

Commenting on the occasion, Markus Villinger, Managing Director, Daimler Buses India said, “This product, being the longest coach in the country built with strong features, is sure to set benchmarks in ultra-luxury travel. We are excited to be offering a state-of-the–art vehicle concept to the Indian market. Inter-city travel becomes more safe, comfortable and modern.”

DICV invested Rs. 425 crore in its Oragadam heavy vehicles manufacturing facility which manufactures BharatBenz and Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles in India. The facility also houses Wrightbus, an Ireland based body manufacturer within the premises. The plant has a manufacturing capacity of 1,500 units per annum at the moment, which is scalable to 4,000 units a year. Buses in the range of 9, 16 and 16 tonne plus gross vehicle weight can be manufactured at the facility. BharatBenz front-engine buses meet the needs of school, staff and tourist transportation. While Mercedes-Benz rear-engine buses serve the premium coach segment.

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