BharatBenz Powerfully Expands Bus Portfolio to Disrupt India’s Surging Intercity and Compact Bus Markets

CHENNAI, INDIA — Driven by rapid urbanization and an escalating demand for reliable last-mile and intercity connectivity, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has officially strengthened its BharatBenz bus lineup. The commercial vehicle giant unveiled two major market entries: the heavy-duty BharatBenz Torqshift 1926 AMT bus chassis and the 8-metre fully built BharatBenz 917 compact bus.

India’s bus market represents immense headroom for growth; currently, the country operates just 24 buses per 100,000 people against a target blueprint of 60. BharatBenz’s latest rollout directly addresses this infrastructure gap by targeting fleet efficiency, reduced lifecycle costs, and enhanced driver safety.

1. The BharatBenz Torqshift 1926: An Automation Milestone for Intercity Fleets

With the intercity bus sector tracking a +5% year-on-year growth trajectory, fleet operators are facing critical driver shortages and high operational fatigue on routes up to 500 km. The Torqshift 1926 heavy-duty chassis directly answers this challenge by introducing a globally proven Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) system to this segment for the first time in India.

Paired with a high-performance, German-engineered 260 Hp engine, the intelligent AMT system automatically selects optimum gears. This eliminates continuous manual clutching and shifting, reducing driver fatigue in congested urban environments and challenging terrains, while effectively eliminating the operational need to deploy two drivers per shift.

“Fleet operators run on tight margins, and every hour a bus is off the road costs money. The BharatBenz Torqshift 1926 gives drivers an easier, more consistent ride while cutting downtime and lifecycle costs—this kind of improvement shows up directly for fleet operators’ margins.” — Andamuthu Ponnusamy, Head of Bus Business, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles

Key Best-in-Class Features:

• Intelligent Eco Roll: Facilitates smarter coasting to significantly lower fuel consumption.

• Advanced Driver Controls: Features one-touch multiple drive modes, Cruise Control, and Hill Start Assist.

• Robust Safety Systems: Integrated Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with real-time temperature tracking, clutch overload monitoring, and a 5-stage electromagnetic retarder.

• Zero-Maintenance Tech: Outfitted with an indigenous glide air suspension and a maintenance-free unitized hub bearing.

2. The BharatBenz 917: Setting New Standards for School and Staff Mobility

Medium-duty buses dominate nearly two-thirds of India’s bus market, fueled by expanding manufacturing hubs, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and corporate IT corridors. The newly introduced 8-metre fully built BharatBenz 917 targets this highly competitive compact segment, perfectly balancing high capacity with tight urban maneuverability.

Designed to easily navigate narrow streets where larger commercial vehicles cannot go, the BB 917 centers heavily around strict occupant protection and regulatory compliance.

Uncompromising Safety & Premium Comfort:

• Active Safety Protection: Equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Vehicle Stability Control (EVSC), individual passenger seatbelts, and the largest emergency door in its vehicle class.

• Hazard Mitigation: Features a highly responsive integrated fire alarm and fire protection system.

• Premium Cabin Comfort: Includes powerful air conditioning, ergonomic seating, anti-skid flooring, under-seat storage, and a retractable lower footstep for seamless passenger boarding.

• Advanced Air Quality (Optional): Available with a premium HEPA filter air purification system targeting PM2.5 particulates.

Seamless Financing and National Network Readiness

To support the immediate deployment of these new vehicles, BharatBenz has positioned its massive service infrastructure to offer customers rapid assistance within two hours via 420+ authorized sales and service locations across India.

Furthermore, to simplify fleet acquisition, BharatBenz has partnered with over 20 leading commercial banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). Fleet operators can access highly competitive, tailored financial solutions with retail interest rates starting as low as 7.5% per annum.

Through engineering excellence, strategic financial partnerships, and a clear focus on lowering total cost of ownership, BharatBenz continues to redefine the standards of passenger mobility in India.