India’s Growing Importance in Daimler Truck’s Global Production Network

By Amit Jangra | Published Date : July 30, 2025

India's DICV now leads Daimler truck's global expansion, guiding Indonesia's plant with proven success in BharatBenz manufacturing.

India has slowly but surely become a key player in the global truck manufacturing space — and now, it's stepping into a leadership role. Daimler Truck, one of the biggest names in commercial vehicles, has started turning to Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) for more than just support. In fact, India is now guiding other countries in how to build and run world-class truck manufacturing operations.

A clear example? Daimler recently began setting up a brand-new facility in Indonesia. And guess who’s helping them build it from the ground up? DICV — the same team behind BharatBenz trucks.

From Newcomer to Global Mentor

Table of Contents

1. From Newcomer to Global Mentor

2. Why Did Daimler Trust India with the Indonesia Project?

3. Why Indonesia?

4. India’s Manufacturing Edge

5. What About Localisation in Indonesia?

6. Indian Engineers Are on the Ground

7. A New Role for India in Daimler’s Global Story

8. Final Thoughts

It wasn’t too long ago that DICV was finding its footing in the Indian market. The company launched back in 2012 and entered a competitive commercial vehicle space. But fast forward just over a decade and DICV is now trusted to lead complex global projects.

Satyakam Arya, DICV’s MD and CEO, summed it up nicely:

“It’s a proud moment. Our capabilities are now shaping the global narrative, not just supporting it.”

That’s not just a good quote — it reflects a big shift. India is no longer just a part of the Daimler system. It’s helping define it.

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Why Did Daimler Trust India with the Indonesia Project?

There are a few good reasons why Daimler looked to DICV when it came time to build a plant in Indonesia:

1. Proven Track Record

DICV has delivered consistent results for over 12 years. The team didn’t just launch BharatBenz Motors — they built a full-fledged truck brand that’s trusted across India.

2. Deep Localisation

DICV is the first Daimler unit that fully localized all five major engine components — the cylinder block, head, camshaft, crankshaft and connecting rod (often called the “5 Cs” in the industry). Over 90% of parts in BharatBenz trucks are sourced locally in India.

3. Strong Supplier Network

India’s auto suppliers have grown rapidly and many now export parts to Daimler facilities around the world. That kind of supply chain strength is rare.

4. Customer Focus

BharatBenz didn’t just bring new trucks to the Indian market — they introduced new features, too. Air-conditioned cabins, for example, were once unheard of in Indian trucks. Today, they’re common, thanks to DICV’s forward thinking.

Why Indonesia?

Indonesia made sense for a few reasons. Like India, it’s a growing economy with demand for tough, reliable trucks — especially in mining and infrastructure.
Daimler has already seen early success there with HX-series heavy-duty trucks. These are the same models that perform well in India’s demanding conditions, so the transition is smoother.

Also, while Indonesia’s truck market isn’t as large as India’s, the potential is big. With DICV’s help, Daimler is betting that the same formula for success can work there too.

India’s Manufacturing Edge

DICV stands out within Daimler for how it works. The team is known for being:

• Fast and flexible
• Focused on cost-efficiency
• Strong on quality
• Digitally advanced

Unlike some other plants, DICV brought digital tools into manufacturing early on. This made their processes leaner, smarter and better prepared to scale.

These qualities made it easy for Daimler to choose DICV as the model for Indonesia’s new plant.

What About Localisation in Indonesia?

Indonesia won’t be localising as deeply as India — at least not right away.

DICV's strategy in India works because of a mature supplier base. Indonesia doesn’t have that yet. So, Daimler will localise only where it makes sense, based on cost, technology and logistics.

That said, Daimler is open to sourcing more from India if trade rules allow. This could mean Indian suppliers supporting the Indonesian plant down the line.

Indian Engineers Are on the Ground

DICV’s support isn’t just in planning — it’s hands-on. Indian engineers helped design the new facility, planned the workflows and set up the machines. Several engineers even flew to Indonesia and worked on-site during the early stages. Today, four of them are still there, making sure the plant runs smoothly.

It’s a sign of just how committed India is to making this global project a success.

A New Role for India in Daimler’s Global Story

This isn’t just about one factory or one market. What’s happening here is bigger: DICV is becoming a center of excellence for Daimler trucks globally.

For years, India followed Daimler’s global strategies. Now, it’s helping write them.

From setting up BharatBenz, to mastering localisation, to guiding international expansion — DICV’s journey is proof of what smart planning and execution can achieve.

Final Thoughts

India’s rise within Daimler Truck is more than just a business story — it’s a case study in how local expertise can drive global progress. With BharatBenz trucks on Indian roads and Indian engineers supporting international plants, DICV has firmly positioned itself as a global leader in truck manufacturing.

As demand for reliable, efficient commercial vehicles continues to grow, don’t be surprised if more of Daimler’s global operations start to look a lot like the model built right here in India.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Trucks

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Ans: Trucks come in many types, including light-duty trucks (like pickup trucks), medium-duty trucks and heavy-duty trucks (used for transporting goods over long distances). There are also tipper trucks, trailer trucks and refrigerated trucks.

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Ans: Mileage depends on the truck size and load. Small trucks may give 8–12 km/l, while heavy-duty trucks usually offer 3–6 km/l. Fuel efficiency also depends on road conditions and driving habits.

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Ans: BharatBenz trucks are made by Daimler India and are known for high performance, fuel efficiency, safety features and strong build quality. They are designed for Indian roads and conditions.

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A truck should be serviced every 10,000 to 20,000 km, depending on the model and usage. Regular servicing helps maintain fuel efficiency, safety and performance.