DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz Actros launched in India

New Delhi, June 23: DaimlerChrysler India, targeting the medium-heavy duty truck segment, today announced its foray into the Commercial Vehicles market in India, with the launch of its heavy-duty special applications trucks, Mercedes-Benz Actros.

''India is a promising market for us. We pioneered the luxury car segment in this country and now look forward to establish ourselves in this niche market,'' DaimlerChrysler India MD and CEO Wilfried Aulbur said.

Available as a completely built imported chassis, the Actros features a 12 litre engine with delivery output of about 400 horse power at an RPM of 1800, which makes it the most powerful engine across the tipper segment of the Indian commercial vehicles industry.

DaimlerChrysler is globally the number one Commercial Vehicles player and the world's largest truck manufacturer with almost 15 per cent of the global share of the medium-heavy duty truck market.

In 2004 the company sold a total of 3,04,000 units in the Medium and Heavy Duty Truck segment, while In 2005, the truck group at DaimlerChrysler sold a total of over 5,29,000 units which was the best ever sales performance till date.

Designed to cater to the need for high-tonnage special applications, the truck comes in two variants -- the Actros 4040K and the Actros 4840K.

While the Actros 4040K is priced at Rs 55 lakh, the 4840K model is for Rs 65 lakh (exclusive of additional outlay required for the local creation of dippers and taxes).

UNI