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January-March 2012smarttrucking

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Rise of the efficient fleet Management

super highways: Almost there

Message

Dear Smart Trucker

It is with great pleasure and honour that we bring to you the first edition of Smart Trucking. Just as the launch of our brand BharatBenz signifies our commitment to India, this magazine celebrates the beginning of our association with you. Apart from bringing you interesting news from the world of commercial vehicles, we intend to provide you with insightful developments and reports that will be useful to your business.

In this issue, read about how modern trucking is taking over the highways due to growing demands from the core industrial sectors like construction, mining, steel, cement, etc. Check out if the Great Indian Highway Network is keeping up and what we can expect in the days to come. And, see how the latest processes and technologies can help you manage your fleet more efficiently.

Also, know more about our brand BharatBenz and its philosophy. Find out about the kind of gruelling tests that trucks undergo before they are deemed fit to become part of your fleet. Finally, go back in time to 1896 and learn about the first truck ever built.

Hope you enjoy reading this issue!

Team BharatBenz

BharatBenz (Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd)

Editorial BoardBrand Communications - BharatBenz

Maxposure Media Group India Pvt. Ltd.M-108, Punj House, IInd Floor, Above Bank of Baroda, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001 Tel: +91-11-47411100

Publisher & COO Vikas Johari

CEO & Managing Director Prakash Johari

CFO Kuldip Singh

Information [email protected]

Smart Trucking is the quarterly magazine of BharatBenz, a new truck brand from Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd (DICV). Smart Trucking magazine is printed and published by Vikas Johari on behalf of MaXposure Media Group India Pvt. Ltd. (MMGIPL) for BharatBenz and published at MMGIPL, M-108, Punj House, IInd Floor, Above Bank of Baroda, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001, India. All rights reserved. The writing, artwork and/or photography contained herein may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of MMGIPL and DICV .The views and opinions expressed or implied in Smart Trucking are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of BharatBenz (DICV) or MMGIPL. All efforts to be accurate have been made while compiling the content of this magazine, but we assume no responsibility for the effects arising there from.

FOR ENQUIRIES | MMGIPL Tel: +91-11-47411100 Fax: +91-11-23730511 www.maxposure.in

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. Unit 301 & 302, 3rd Floor, Campus 3B, RMZ Millennia Business Park, No 143, Dr. M.G. R. Road, Perungudi, Chennai-600096, India

January-March 2012 Powered by BharatBenz

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Contents Rise of the Modern TruckA new breed of modern commercial vehicles is all set to hit the highways

Super Highways: Almost ThereTaking a look at the development of Indian highways and what we can expect in the future

Efficient Fleet ManagementHow these latest processes and technologies can help in smart fleet management

BharatBenz: Committed to Power You AheadIf you’re driven to lead, BharatBenz is the brand for you

Survival of the FitTESTTrucks have to undergo major endurance tests before they are stamped OK to step out into the real world

Tale of the First TruckTaking you back in time to 1896 — when the first truck was made

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We're living in exciting

times full of promise

and progress. India,

the second largest

growing economy in

the world, is driving

on — steady and determined — on the road

to development. According to various reports

and projections, it is all set to overtake the

Chinese dragon in just a few years to become

the No. 1 growing economy in the world. This

phenomenal growth is being fuelled by rapid

advancement in core industrial sectors such as

cement, steel, infrastructure, consumer goods,

mining and petroleum. To sustain and support

this growth, it is essential for the road network

and transport system to keep pace. Even

though cutting edge technology is resulting in

high productivity in these sectors, an efficient

logistics system is vital for it to translate into

high profitability. Which is why super highways

and super-efficient commercial vehicles are the

need of the hour.

For instance, today, a cement manufacturer

who aims to increase his output, needs his

logistics and distribution network to handle

the increased output. Companies which used

to take a week to deliver cargo to remote

locations now need to do the same in as little

as two days. Steel manufacturers, wanting

to increase their profits, are looking to their

logistic partners to manage their fleet in an

organised, efficient manner to bring down

transportation costs.

How it affects the Transport IndustryThis economic progress is demanding a high

level of efficiency and faster turnaround time

from the logistic solution providers, at the same

Rise of theThe reign of boxy, bulky, smoke-spewing trucks is coming to an end. A new breed of modern commercial vehicles that are efficient, high on performance, safe and comfortable is all set to rule Indian roadswords Hari Govind NairModern Truck


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>>Where a driver in a traditional truck was covering 450 km in a day, in its modern avatar, he can cover upto 20-25 per cent more


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time also giving a much-needed impetus to

our highways. Today most of our highways are

in top-notch condition. The government has

already announced the completion of the Golden

Quadrilateral — the mammoth highway network

which connects the four major metro cities —

in January this year. Due to this development,

it is now possible for transport operators to

cater to the increased demands of the core

sectors of our economy. These super-fast, four

to six lane highways, have the capability to

take on the might of a transport system which

is better, faster and more efficient than the

conventional one. And seeing this need, most

of the Commercial Vehicle (CV) manufacturers

have come out with trucks that are equipped

with state-of-the-art features leading to efficient

operations. These modern trucks help drivers in

comfortably achieving greater distances in less

time, which in turn helps fleet owners to earn

more and maximise profits.

Birth of the Modern TruckThe current period is being considered by

everyone connected to the world of CVs as a

major revolution. With Indian manufacturers

like Tata, Ashok Leyland and Eicher introducing

improved vehicles, it's time for the goods

transporters to give a new and efficient look to

their old fleet. Apart from Indian manufacturers,

global brands have also recognised the potential

of the Indian CV industry, and now we have CVs

from Navistar, MAN, Scania, Volvo and Mercedes-

Benz. What makes this scenario further

interesting is the introduction of BharatBenz — a

new brand specially created for India by Daimler

— which heralds the beginning of a new era in

the Indian trucking industry.

Intelligent DesignThe first thing that strikes you about these

new-age trucks is how intelligently and

aerodynamically they have been designed.

Booting away the earlier boxy styles, everything

in these trucks — from the headlamps to the

indicator, to the fenders and grills — has been

designed to gel with the modern look. This

offers not only better speed and fuel-efficiency,

but also gives the driver more space to live,

work and store, making his driving experience

comfortable and productive.

Performance is the KeyWith the kind of refinement one sees in

modern trucks, they are able to achieve

better gradeability; their increased speed

assists in quicker turnaround, and to top it

all, they provide better fuel-efficiency than

basic trucks. For instance, on plains where

a driver in a traditional truck was covering

about 450 km in a day, in its modern avatar,

he can cover upto 20-25 per cent more.

These modern trucks are also equipped with

better aggregates — powertrain, chassis and

What Fleet Owners Say Ramandeep Singh, Okara Roadways

"I have a fleet of around 400 trucks from various manufacturers such as Tata, Ashok Leyland and Eicher. I am very interested in the new-age trucks as they promise to be much more productive than what we have been using. Currently our drivers do an average of 450 km in plains, and I expect that trucks with the new technology would do at least 25 per cent more than this distance. When we go to buy a truck our priority is in this order: fuel efficiency, drivability, driver comfort and then safety. We have no doubt about the technology of foreign brands, but everything hinges on the matter of efficiency. We are more than happy to invest in better technology as long as we get our returns."

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>>Modern trucks are equipped with better aggregates — powertrain, chassis and suspension — which enhance the reliability and life of these vehicles


Enhanced Safety Features There was a time when safety features were unheard of in trucks. The passenger cars were crammed with the latest that was available but these were over-looked in trucks. But now, due to the introduction of modern designs and technology, trucks are also getting their fair share of much-needed safety features

Anti-roll BarAnti-roll bar ensures that the tyres are in constant touch with the road, for better road grip and stability of the vehicle, especially during cornering and lane-changing at high speeds.

Global Positioning SystemKeeping a track of your fleet gets a lot easier with these devices — as from a central control room you can locate your trucks to the exact metre. Some manufacturers have also added an SOS feature to the GPS system wherein the driver can call-in for assistance in the event of any mishap.

Anti-lock Braking SystemAnti-lock Braking System (ABS) enables improved vehicle control and decreases stopping distance on wet and slippery surfaces, ensuring safety.

Crash-tested CabCrash-tested cab ensures survival space for the cabin crew in the unfortunate event of a collision.

suspension — which enhance the reliability

and life of these vehicles. These features have

also improved several aspects of the truck,

namely, steering, acceleration, braking, etc.

Comfort and Safety FeaturesWith the advent of modern trucks which

adhere to international levels of comfort and

safety, the job of a truck driver is no longer

considered uncomfortable and dangerous. For

him, his vehicle is his home — for as many

days as he is on the road. These modern

trucks have seats that can be adjusted to

suit several sitting positions. The bunk beds

are cushier, bigger and can be folded away

when not in use. There are interestingly

thought of cubbyholes to keep everything

from petrol bills to driving documents to

personal driving kits, and the entire cabin also

gets an efficient lighting system. Designed

to enhance the driving experience, the cabin

ergonomics ensure ease in operation and

comfort even after long and continuous hours

on the road. The instrument cluster gives out

information which keeps track of data like trip

mileage, maintenance warnings, tyre pressure

indicators, etc.

Apart from having factory-fitted seatbelts with

pre-tensioners, the modern-day trucks come

with a host of technologically advanced safety

features. Many trucks these days offer side-

impact protection, stability control, Anti-lock

Braking System and reinforced and crash-tested

cabin designs to minimise impact on collision.

These enhanced features not only boost the

driver’s confidence, but also give him and the

truck owner peace of mind. With these changes

in the industry, it is now imperative for the

progressive fleet operator to think about his

future business model and operating strategy:

Should he stick with conventional, basic trucks or

decide to upgrade to these modern trucks and

become a smart trucker? yz

InsIght

With ABS

Without ABS

Super HighwaysA highly efficient road network is the backbone of a growing economy like ours. We take a look at the current state of Indian highways and what we can expect in the futuresource Basic Road Statistics of India, a report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

The development of the highway

network is vital to the growth

of the Indian economy. Which

is why, clearly, it is high on the

government's agenda — as

reflected in the Union Budget

2012-13. The allocation for National Highways

is up by 14 per cent and a target of 8800 km

of tarmac to be laid out, has been set. Apart

from this, earlier this year, in January, with the

government announcing the completion of the

Golden Quadrilateral — the highway network

which connects the four major metropolitan

cities — we can say that the era of super

highways in India is almost there.

Current ScenarioAccording to a report by the Ministry of Road

Transport and Highways, the total road length

in India, which was 3.99 lakh km in 1951, has

increased to 41.10 lakh km by 2008. Of this,

surfaced road accounts to about 20.36 lakh

km, which has increased from 1.57 lakh km

during the same time frame. The total road

network in the country grew from 36.21 lakh

km in March 2004 to 41.10 lakh km in March

2008, reflecting an increase of 4.89 lakh

km — yielding a Compound Annual Growth

Rate (CAGR) of 3.2% over this period. The

total surfaced road length grew from 3,97,948

km (accounting for 43.5% of the total road

length) in 1971 to 20,36,063 km (accounting

for 49.5% of the total road length) in 2008,

reflecting a more than five-fold increase

in surfaced road length. Category-wise

classification of road length showed that

Almost There

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took place in the length of project roads which

increased from 1,30,893 km in March 1971

to 2,70,189 km by March 2008, resulting in a

growth of 106% and a CAGR of 1.98% only.

What it means for youWith many projects underway, it won’t be

long before the entire road network of India

will be at par with international standards.

This expansion and modernisation of the

highway network is fuelling a revolution in the

transportation industry where basic trucks are

giving way to new-age commercial vehicles.

With better engines and aerodynamically

designed bodies, these will be able to

cover greater distances, thereby generating

more revenue for fleet owners. While CV

manufacturers are all set with their advanced

vehicles, the question is: Is your fleet ready for

this grand transformation? yz

>>The length of National Highways in 2008 was 66,754 km, an increase of over 180 per cent from 1971

during this period, the length of National

Highways (NHs) increased from 23,838

km to 66,754 km – an increase of over

180% or CAGR of 2.8%. During the same

period, the length of State Highways (SHs)

increased from 56,765 km to 1,54,522 km

(an increase of over 172% or CAGR of 2.7%)

and the length of other PWD roads increased

from 2,76,833 km in 1971 to 8,63,241 km in

2008 (an increase of about 212% or CAGR

of 3.1%). Various categories of urban roads

together expanded in length from 72,120 km

to 3,04,327 km reflecting an increase of over

322% or CAGR of 3.97%.

The highest growth over these 37 years

took place in respect of rural roads which

increased from 3,54,530 km to 24,50,559 km,

registering an increase of nearly 591% and a

CAGR of 5.4%. The lowest growth, however,

Phase IApproved in December 2000, under this phase these activities were to be completed: a) The four-laning of National Highways comprising Golden Quadrilateral linking major metros, viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata having an aggregate length of 5846 km was to be completed; b) North-South and East-West corridors covering 981 km; c) Port connectivity by upgrading 356 km of NHs linking major ports in the country; d) Upgradation of 315 km of other National Highways. The total length of NHs for upgradation under Phase I was placed at 7498 km. And according to the latest government reports, the construction of the Golden Quadrilateral was completed in January this year.

Phase IIThis phase was approved in December 2003. The main thrust of this phase involved upgradation (four-laning) of: a) North-South (Srinagar to Kanyakumari) and East-West (Silchar to Porbandar) corridors covering a distance of 6161 km; b) Upgradation of 486 km stretch of other National Highways. The total length coverage for upgradation under Phase II involved 6647 km out of which 4465 km has been completed by 31st March 2010.

Phase IIIIt involves four-laning of 12,109 km of high-density stretches of NHs connecting

State capitals, important tourist places and places of economic importance through Public Private Partnership basis. Out of this, implementation of 4815 km on Build Operate Transfer (BOT) was approved under NHDP Phase IIIA. NHDP Phase IIIB involving implementation of the balance 7294 km was approved in April 2007. Till 31st March 2010, 1581 km of road length had been completed.

Phase IVThis phase involved improvement of 20,000 km of NHs to two lanes with paved shoulders.

Phase VSix laning of 6,500 km of existing 4 lane highways in October 2006 on Design Build Finance and Operation (DBFO) basis. This included 5,700 km of Golden Quadrilateral and 800 km of other selected stretches.

Phase VIApproved in November 2006, envisaged development of 1000 km of access controlled four/six lane divided carriageway expressways on DBFO basis.

Phase VIIThis phase was approved in December 2007 for construction of stand alone ring roads, by-passes (including improvements of NH links in city), Grade Separated Intersections, flyovers, elevated highways, Road Over Bridges (ROBs), underpasses and service roads on BOT Toll basis.

Various Phases for NHDP

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Managing your fleet intelligently is as important as managing your family. We take you through some smart processes and technologies that will go a long way in increasing your profitswords Sandip Sen

Efficient Fleet MAnAgEMEnT

A fleet of trucks, along with

their drivers, is like a big

Indian joint family. There

are bound to be problems

and issues which keep on

cropping up, and you as the

head of the family, have to constantly step

in and take care of them. If you introduce

effective fleet management techniques, then

these problems can not only be reduced but

also eventually be eliminated. In today’s time,

with so much advancement in technology,

there are many smart fleet management

solutions which can be customised according

to the size of your fleet. Be it five trucks or

five hundred, there are methods to efficiently

streamline your fleet.

The first step that one should take towards

fleet management is to set up a tracking and

monitoring system. And the best way to do so

is by installing remote-tracking devices in your


smart moves

>>The remote tracking devices help in reducing unscheduled side trips by the driver, while on-board sensors aid in detecting offloading of cargo

trucks. Nowadays, apart from just tracking

their real-time locations, these devices are

also equipped to collect and record data

related to the speed of the truck that is

travelling, the number of hours it took to reach

from point A to point B, etc. By using this

solution, as a fleet owner, you can track every

driver — which in turn fosters a greater sense

of accountability.

By keeping an eye on the vehicles remotely,

you can not only know their location but also

the status of their readiness to undertake new

jobs. These remote-tracking devices help in

reducing unscheduled side trips by the driver,

Benefits of Fleet Management

Feature Benefit Business Value

Speeding alerts Speed reduction Savings on fuel costs

Idle-time thresholds and alerts

Idle-time reduction Savings on fuel and maintenance costs

Unauthorised use detection

Improved productivity and lesser vehicle misuse

Reduced risk and savings on fuel

Efficient loading and dispatch

Increased fleet utilisation Increased profits

Two-way satellite communication

Quick response and direction Client satisfaction and time saving

while on-board sensors facilitate the detecting

of cargo and fuel offloading, or any other

improper activity.

When these devices are used with fleet

management software, it helps you in

maintaining centralised fuel logs that calculate

expenditure on fuel, lubricant, coolants and

spare parts like tyres, air filters, oil filters,

etc. Apart from cost per kilometre, they also

calculate the cost per quarter and cost per

year for each and every truck. This helps you

in understanding which drivers are efficient

and which need to be trained further. These

tracking devices and softwares will help you,

as a fleet owner, in ensuring better driver

accountability, route mapping, drive-time, fuel

consumption, inventory control and distribution,

and finally, risk management.

The main problem a fleet owner faces while

taking lucrative contracts in remote areas for

mining or construction is the maintenance and

accountability of expenses of his fleet. Most of

these kinds of projects like dam construction

are located in areas which have no cellphone

connectivity. By using these kinds of devices,

you can ensure uninterrupted communication

with your driver through satellites, and if any

emergency arises, he can easily contact you.

These devices also help in saving costs as

unauthorized overtime billing and misuse of

working time can be detected and eliminated

by comparing location and work status. Bloated

overtime bills is a major expense that fleet

owners have to meet these days and that can

be substantially reduced by the use of these

softwares and tracking devices.

An important use of these systems is to

conserve fuel and increase the efficiency

of your trucks. Most of these devices are

equipped with alert features which give over-

speeding, idle-time threshold and unauthorised

use alerts. So instead of bringing up these

issues when the driver returns, you can correct

their actions on the spot, thereby minimising

unwanted expenses.

As a smart fleet owner who wishes to cut down

costs and maximise profits, adopting these

technologically advanced fleet management

solutions can not only help in keeping a better

check on your fleet but also on your drivers. yz


smart moves

BharatBenzCommitted to Power You AheadYour trucks carry more than just cargo. They carry your dreams. If you’re driven to lead, BharatBenz is here to power you ahead

Innovation, Understanding, Excellence,

Commitment — at BharatBenz, these

are not just some words used to lend

gravitas, but our way of life. For over

a century, Daimler, our parent brand,

has constantly stepped up and led the

way towards development of Commercial

Vehicles. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of

the Board of Management of Daimler AG &

Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said while

unveiling BharatBenz, “We are sending a clear

message with our new truck brand: Daimler is

at home in India. Our BharatBenz trucks are

the right combination of Daimler’s DNA and

India’s market know-how. These trucks will be

developed and built in India, for India, and by

specialist employees from India”.

To get a better understanding of what

BharatBenz signifies, read on...

Power of InnovationAt BharatBenz, we believe in delivering nothing

but the very best. This brand is the result of an

ongoing process of innovations accomplished

over a period of 115 years. Well over a century

ago, when horse-drawn modes of transport

were the only known ways of mobility, Gottlieb

Daimler and Carl Benz came up with a

revolutionary idea of motorized movement. By

combining an engine with a cab-over-chassis

structure, they invented the first truck.

At Daimler, excellence is the driving force

behind our history of innovations that continues

into the 21st century. Our designers and

engineers have ensured that we have been at

the forefront of the trucking industry. Numerous


Brand Power

>>With BharatBenz, we have reinvented the concept of a truck according to the needs of the Indian environment

patents in automotive performance, safety and

eco-friendly innovations — some of which are

milestones in the history of the truck — are

eloquent testimonies to our commitment to

redefining mobility for the world.

Power of UnderstandingBefore launching our vehicles in the Indian

market, we have put them through rigorous

rounds of tests through various terrains

in India. From six-lane superhighways, to

treacherous Himalayan routes, to negotiating

hairpin bends and the deepest mines —

our vehicles have seen it all. Having faced

the varying logistical and geographical

complexities of India, we know what it takes

to build a formidable truck that can withstand

anything. It’s these unique Indian conditions

and the expectations of the Indian customer

that inspired Daimler to create BharatBenz

— a new brand for India. And now, as we

have deep-dived into the Indian environment,

we understand the nuances of the trucking

industry in India, their current needs and the

ones that will emerge tomorrow.

Power of ExcellenceWith BharatBenz, we have reinvented the

concept of a truck according to the needs of

the Indian environment. Our trucks have been

engineered to not only meet your expectations

but also exceed them. We put them through

the stiffest of challenges and the toughest of

tests, to ensure that you get the most reliable

and resilient of vehicles. Whatever you could

have wished for in a truck — and even some

things you didn’t know you wanted — have

gone into the making of BharatBenz, a truck

unlike any other.

With our range of light and heavy-duty trucks,

ranging from 6-49 tonnes, catering to a wide

variety of applications, Indian truckers will

benefit from these world-class vehicles that

offer superior value for money. Our heavy duty

trucks, built on the globally proven Mercedes-

Benz Axor platform, have been customised

to excel in Indian conditions. Our light duty

trucks, based on the Fuso Canter platform,

have been engineered to perform for the

demanding Indian customer.

Our vehicles' superior pulling power and

gradeability will make each trip back

from a deep mine faster and easier. Their

unmatched fuel-efficiency will make your

trips more profitable. You will no longer need

to worry about working in remote locations

as they require low maintenance and have

longer service intervals, which will also

result in increased vehicle uptime. They can

be operated at higher speeds with faster

turnaround times. No more crawling up the

ghats at a snail’s pace. You can earn more

by completing more trips than ever before. It

has been designed for your driver’s comfort.

And with a host of safety features to protect

the driver, it provides a stress-free and more

productive driving experience.

Power of CommitmentFor Daimler, the creation of BharatBenz brand

is an indication of our commitment towards

India. Our manufacturing and testing facility

at Chennai has been built over a period of

five years and we have already invested about

4̀400 crores in the Indian market. Instead

of simply importing our global products, we

chose to study the Indian market in-depth

and came up with solutions that will work for

this country.

And now, once we launch our products, you will

find our dealer and service network throughout

the country. With a service team that is

committed to make sure that your vehicle never

has to leave the roads, we will provide you with

never-seen-before support solutions. Finally,

with the backing of the BharatBenz Financial

service, all that you now need to do is pick a

vehicle that suits your need and drive down the

road to success.

Our class-leading vehicles will enable you to

generate higher revenues while also putting

you on the path to business expansion by

allowing you to single-mindedly focus on new

businesses. They will significantly enhance

your ability to offer better service, boost your

confidence and strengthen your customers’

confidence in you.

If you wish to drive out to embrace your future

and realise your aspirations, BharatBenz is the

brand to power you ahead. yz


Brand Power

Survival of the

FitTESTThe term 'testing' gets a whole new meaning at Daimler India Commercial Vehicles. Trucks have to undergo major endurance drills before they are stamped OK to step out into the real world

There is a story behind each

and every Daimler vehicle. A

gruelling tale of stress-filled

testing sessions, that if retold,

can thaw the coldest of hearts.

And it is only when these

vehicles pass successfully through these trials

by fire, that they are deemed fit to become a

part of your fleet. Now that we, at BharatBenz,

have launched our lineup of Commercial

Vehicles, let's give you a sneak-peek into

what our vehicles undergo during these

testing sessions and the age-old philosophy

behind them.

The Daimler Testing PhilosophyThe Daimler testing philosophy is a story

best told by tracing its roots to its founder

Gottlieb Daimler. Daimler was a perfectionist

and a stickler for inspection and high quality.

In 1883, he quit his job as the Technical

Director of Deutz Gasmotorenfabrik AG after

Brand Power

BharatBenz Test Track Fact File

Overall track length 5.93 km

Outer track length (high speed track) 1.55 km

Inner track length (rough road) 1.16 km


>>If a truck does the full 5.93 km circuit on our test track, it would have tackled all kinds of possible terrain one can find while travelling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari


and other facilities. High-mast illumination

through flood lights allows round-the-clock

testing of trucks which are further monitored

by supervisors from an elevated control tower

alongside the tracks.

Design and Thought ProcessOur test track was designed and created over

a period of nine months and the total cost was

approximately `25 crore. The entire thought

process behind the development of this

track was to duplicate Indian road conditions

accurately for the test track so as to get optimal

results for testing. We analysed various road

load data — on vehicles driven across the

length and breadth of the nation for a period

of 3 years — to come out with a track design

that would represent the full spectrum of roads

across India. In fact, if a truck does the full

5.93 km on our test track, it would have tackled

all kinds of possible terrain that one can find

while travelling from Kashmir to Kayakumari!

High Speed Outer TrackThe high speed outer track of 1.55 km with

three speed lanes permits the prototypes to

attain a maximum speed of 80 kmph, where

the vehicle endurance is tested with the help

of tow dynamometers and other performance

measuring equipment. Negative parabolic

camber design permits the trucks to be driven

hands-free at 60 kmph around the sweeping

a major disagreement with Nikolaus August

Otto over the future of the Otto engine. While

Otto wanted to produce bigger engines after

the initial success of the prototype, Daimler

wanted further testing and research before

any horsepower upgradation. In 1885, Wilhelm

Maybach, who was the design head and his

colleague at Otto’s manufacturing unit, also

quit and joined Daimler in the DMG factory at

Stuttgart — that went on to produce the first

4-stroke gas engine automobile a year later.

The seeds of product inspection enforced

personally by Gottlieb Daimler ensured that

the testing of each vehicle was carried out

religiously at the Daimler works. Since the

early days, each truck produced was rigorously

tested by carrying bricks on rough terrain for

months before being invoiced. It also ensured

that the brickworks industry became the early

users of Daimler trucks due to their ruggedness

and dependability.

The BharatBenz Test TrackThe culture of product-testing with extensive

on-road trials has been turned into a fine

art today at Daimler plants. Like most other

Daimler truck factories worldwide, our

BharatBenz unit at Oragadam near Chennai

houses a state-of-the-art test track. The

sprawling 47 acres testing arena comprises

3 different segments: outer track, inner track

Brand Power

Segments of the BharatBenz Test Track• The super elevated test track which resembles a high speed expressway, tests the ability of the

engine and gearbox to perform optimally in different speed and load conditions

• At the cobblestone track, trucks undergo various tests for structural durability of the suspension and cab mountings to ensure they perform reliably even on the most bumpy roads

• The articulation track has projections that check the strength of the suspension and the ability of the torsion frame and stabilisers to ensure stability of the vehicle

• The pothole track tests the robustness of the axles, cab mounting and their ability to withstand huge shocks

• The water trough tests the cooling patterns of the chassis, tyres and suspension and how the truck behaves in wet monsoon and flooded road conditions

• The inspection ramp is where dedicated engineers carry out over 70 checks for any wear & tear and anomalies to ensure that the performance of the trucks are superior

>>Having tested our trucks on this track for over 50 lakh km, we are confident that their performance will be unparalleled


also used for Noise Test and the Jump Test

for checking the driving stability and steering

checks for jump impacts.

Strategic Ingredients for the Inner TrackThe most critical part of the construction

was laying of the 1.16 km track with 40,832

cobblestones of pre-determined sizes — each

squared and leveled to the right elevation and

angle to match the exact design configuration.

With 3 different sizes and heights, it is designed

to test the axles and suspension for severe

load conditions and to check the chassis frame

for torsion effects. The purpose of this high-

precision exercise is to ensure optimal test

loading for the axle, the cabin, the powertrain

and the undercarriage to create an economical,

efficient as well as a rugged vehicle.

Other FacilitiesApart from these tracks, the other tests that

happen at this facility include the water trough

where prototypes have to tackle depths up to

1.2 m. The rough-road tests are followed by

the cooling of tyres. At our inspection ramp,

engineers carry out over 70 tests to check

for any wear & tear and anomalies to ensure

superior on-road performance.

Having invested so much effort to create all the

road conditions that one would find in every

part of India, and having tested our trucks on

this track for over 50 lakh km, we are confident

that their performance will be unparalleled in

the real world. And as the global market leader,

we feel it is our responsibility to raise the bar of

vehicle-testing to such an extent that they will

never test you. yz

Brand Power

curves of the oval test track. Nearly 20

prototype vehicles ply the tracks 7 days a week

for a 9-month test cycle, logging 9,000 to

10,000 km a day on which various assemblies

under consideration are tested. This track is

Tale of theFiRST TRuCkLet's go back in time to 1896, when the first truck was builtwords Sandip Sen

About 115 years ago, on 1st

October 1896, the following

was entered in the production

records of Daimler-Motoren-

Gesellschaft (DMG) in

Cannstatt near Stuttgart:

"Motorised goods vehicle, order No. 81, vehicle

no. 42, four hp two-cylinder engine, weight

of the complete vehicle: 1,200 kilograms for

carrying a load of 1,500 kilograms, invoiced to

British Motor Syndicate Ltd. London." And that's

the description of the first truck ever built.


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Gottlieb Daimler Carl Benz

The Pioneers of Motoring

The first diesel engine with compressed-air injection for trucks, 1923

>>Daimler supplied trucks in 4, 6, 8 and 10 hp versions, with payload capacity ratings between 1,500 and 5,000 kg and top speeds up to 12 kmph

Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach present a truck with a payload of 5 tons in Paris, 1898


a bonnet above the front axle — and the

conventional truck was born.

Similar InventionsIn those days at Mannheim, Carl Benz was

pursuing much the same ideas as Daimler.

Benz's three-wheeled Patent Motor Car and

Daimler's motorised carriage had appeared

on the scene at almost the same time, ten

years earlier. Benz built the first bus in 1895.

Wilhelm Maybach were not content with the

rear-engine configuration. In subsequent

models, the engine was installed in the frame

underneath the driver's seat and the rear axle

was driven by means of a chain. Power was

conveyed by a gearwheel transmission, and

the engine was cooled by Wilhelm Maybach's

tubular radiator and started by means of

low-voltage magneto ignition. In the next

generation, the engine was placed under

The First TruckThe world's first truck looked like a

horse-drawn cart without a drawbar. The

driver was seated on the coach-box ahead of

the front axle, out in the open air — which

means the truck was a cab-over-engine

unit. The engine installed in the rear was a

Daimler "Phoenix" two-cylinder mill which

developed 4 hp from a displacement of 1.1

litres. Power was transmitted to the rear axle

by a belt system, a design resembling that of

the planetary hub reduction axles introduced

decades later.

Rapid Progress in EngineeringInitially Daimler supplied the truck in 4, 6, 8

and 10 hp versions, with payload capacity

ratings between 1,500 and 5,000 kg and

top speeds of up to 12 kmph. However,

Gottlieb Daimler and his collaborator

In 1896, the two automotive pioneers again

worked on similar ideas: Daimler launched

his first truck while Benz presented his

"combination delivery vehicle" — the first light-

weight truck which today would fall into the

category of vans. Benz fitted a box body on the

frame of his "Velo" car. The payload of the four-

wheeled vehicle including the driver amounted

to 300 kg. Its single-cylinder engine with a

displacement of 1045 cm³ developed 2.75 hp.

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>>BharatBenz, a new brand by Daimler, has launched a slew of modern trucks built for India — in India

32 | SMART TRUCKING | JAN-MAR 2012

Mercedes-Benz truck, L 4500

A year later, the "delivery vehicle" was already

capable of carrying 300 kg plus two people,

thanks to its new 5 hp single-cylinder engine

with a displacement of 2650 cm³.

About 50 years after the first truck was

developed, India’s tryst with trucking started

when the Benz trucks were launched in

collaboration with Tata Motors. And now,

over a century later, BharatBenz, a new brand

by Daimler, has launched a slew of modern

trucks built for India — in India. With efficient

engines, highly reliable aggregates and

various cutting-edge technologies built into

the vehicle, BharatBenz trucks are the epitome

of progress, development and a symbol of

Smart Trucking. yz

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Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. Unit 301 & 302, 3rd Floor, Campus 3B, RMZ Millennia Business Park, No 143, Dr. M.G. R. Road, Perungudi, Chennai – 600 096, India.Ph: +91 44 4599 6000, Website: www.bharatbenz.com

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