Daimler may extend Nissan tie-up to India

Daimler, the German commercial vehicle manufacturer, may extend its global partnership with Nissan to develop light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to the Indian market.

“This will depend on the response from the markets where we are currently trying this partnership. If an extension is to be considered, India may be a part of it,” Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management Daimler AG/ head of Mercedes-Benz cars, said answering a query if Daimler would consider extending its Nissan partnership to LCVs.

In India, Nissan already has a similar partnership with Ashok Leyland. Zetche said, “It would be too early to comment if Daimler will go ahead with such a partnership, as plans for India have not been firmed up as yet.”

Nissan India currently sells LCV ‘Dost’ in a joint venture partnership with Ashok Leyland.

Daimler, Renault and Nissan have formed a global partnership, which allows them to share technology and development
costs, with major focus on electric cars and LCVs.

Daimler, which inaugurated its new truck manufacturing plant in Chennai on Wednesday, may look at exports from India by 2013. Company officials said Daimler may consider exporting trucks from India to markets including the Far East, the Middle East and Africa. However, officials said the Indian market would remain priority.

Daimler’s plans also include an increased focus on its Chennai plant where it is looking to shift assembly of its Actros range of trucks from its Pune plant.

The company’s new Chennai plant is in the first phase, with a capacity of 36,000 units per annum, with scope to ramp up to more than 70,000 units per annum.

The company plans to double employment at this plant in 18 months from the current 1,480 employees.

It is confident to have around 70 dealers by the end of 2012 and aims to expand it to more than 100 by 2014.

Daimler will sell its commercial vehicles under the brand name, ‘Bharat Benz’. It plans to introduce 17 models, ranging from six tonne to 49 tonne by 2014.