Infrastructure developmentand Mining are propelling India's CV Sector, writes Sreeram Venkateswaran.
“BharatBenz offers a widerange of tipper products, from 6-wheeler 13T medium-duty trucks to 22-wheeler55T tip trailers, used in various applications, including surface construction,mining, irrigation/tunnelling, and intra-city distribution.”
- Sreeram Venkateswaran,
President and Chief Business Officer,
DaimlerIndia Commercial Vehicles.
The commercialvehicle (CV) industry in India is on a promising trajectory, closely linked tothe robust expansion of the construction and mining sectors. Trucks, tippertrucks, dumpers, and trailers are essential for transporting materials,equipment, and resources, making them vital to these industries' growth.
In FY22 andFY23, the CV industry experienced impressive year-on-year growth ofapproximately 30.7 per cent and 28.7 per cent, respectively. This was driven bya rebound in demand as the economy recovered from the pandemic.
Looking ahead,market volumes are expected to rise by 7.0 per cent to 10 per cent in theupcoming fiscal year. Key industries, such as steel, cement, mining, andconstruction are showing strong momentum, creating tremendous potential for theCV sector in India.
The Indiangovernment's focus on infrastructure development, underscored by ambitiousprojects like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, and the National Infrastructure Pipeline,has significantly boosted the CV industry. The push for new roads, highways,ports, and airports has led to increased demand for medium and heavy-dutytrucks to transport materials and equipment.
The mining sectoralso plays a crucial role, supplying various industries, includingmanufacturing, construction, and infrastructure development. The rising demandfor minerals and metals has spurred sales of tipper trucks, designed fortransporting bulk materials in challenging terrains.
Similarly, theconstruction sector’s growth, supported by government initiatives like PradhanMantri Awas Yojana and Smart Cities Mission, has fuelled demand for CVs,particularly those used to transport construction materials like sand, cement,and steel.
The medium andheavy commercial vehicles sub-segments have seen significant growth, driven bydemand from the steel, cement, and mining industries. There is a constant needfor tippers in construction.
Sales in thedomestic CV industry continue to be propelled by various factors, including thereplacement of aging vehicles, a pickup in mining and construction activities,an improving macroeconomic environment, and healthy fleet utilization levels,enhancing fleet operator viability. Several factors, including governmentregulations, economic conditions, the pace of infrastructure development, andenvironmental concerns, can influence the growth of CVs in the construction andmining sectors.
The long-termdemand, therefore, for CVs in India's construction and mining sectors isexpected to remain strong, driven by ongoing infrastructure projects,urbanization, and industrial growth. As industry stakeholders, it is ourcollective responsibility to address these challenges and work towards sustainablegrowth.
Dominating the Construction Equipment and MiningMarket
Over the pastdecade, DICV has made a significant impact in the construction and miningsegment, with its BharatBenz heavy-duty trucks leading the way. BharatBenzrecently unveiled a comprehensive portfolio of high-powered heavy-duty trucks,including the 3532CM mining tipper, 2832CM mining tipper, and 5532 tip-trailer,offering options from 6x4 to 10x4 configurations tailored for construction andmining applications.
These new modelsfeature a powerful 320 HP BSVI diesel powertrain, delivering the high wheel-endtorque necessary for navigating tough, gradient mining roads. The vehiclesboast industry-leading body capacities, benefiting customers in the miningsector.
BharatBenz offersa wide range of tipper products, from 6-wheeler 13T medium-duty trucks to22-wheeler 55T tip trailers, used in various applications, including surfaceconstruction, mining, irrigation/tunnelling, and intra-city distribution. Thenew generation of BharatBenz products is transforming the RMC (ready-mixcement) application with engine-driven PTO solutions to meet every concretingrequirement.
This aligns withBharatBenz’s commitment to supporting the evolving needs of the Indiantransportation sector, positioning these trucks as reliable partners designedto navigate the dynamic world of logistics and transportation efficiently. Theproduct range is integral to nation-building, contributing to severalinfrastructure projects across India.
BharatBenz takespride in the longevity of its trucks, with the longest-running BharatBenzmining truck having covered more than 37,000 hours and still going strong. Thissegment is expected to account for approximately 35 per cent of the overallheavy-duty segment, with the BharatBenz tipper truck set to be a game-changerfor the mining industry.
Safety remains akey focus for BharatBenz, with the new products meeting the latest Heavy DutyTruck cabin crash norms, including roll-over protection. This commitment tosafety underscores BharatBenz's dedication to providing advanced and reliableproducts for the Indian market.
Additionally,BharatBenz recently introduced the ‘Simulated Driving Trainer (SDT)’, acomprehensive facility equipped with a truck simulator offering a realisticdriving experience. The SDT provides software interfaces for Driver TrainingManagement and eLearning modules, allowing drivers to practice mining andconstruction applications and hone their skills. The SDT is designed to promoteeffective driving habits, improving performance, reducing costs, and enhancingoverall efficiency.
BharatBenz isrenowned in the Construction and Mining industry for its reliability anduptime, offering faster turnarounds that help save logistical costs. Economicgrowth, investments in construction and mining projects, and technologicaladvancements will continue to drive the expansion of the commercial vehiclesector. With ongoing government initiatives and favourable market conditions,the long-term growth prospects for these industries in India remain positive.