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Daimler India has unveiled eight new models for 2021 in view of increasing its reach in the Indian market.

Deepti Thore

Highlighting the premise of lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has unveiled eight new models for 2021.

These include six trucks and two buses. The two buses include an updated form of its popular nine-meter long bus and the front-engine 12 m long bus. Called the 1017 bus with a 50 seating capacity, the updated bus is aimed at staff, school and college application. Over the 2020 model, it is now being offered with a wider body to ensure there is more passenger space at the disposal of the operator to help adhere to the bus operating guidelines like social distancing in a post-Covid environment. The 12 m long bus, based on the 1624 model of 2020 has been updated to aim at city and mofussil transport with the inclusion of a parabolic suspension, according to Karl-Alexander Seidel, CEO and India head, Daimler Buses. Averred Seidel that the 2021 model 1624 bus would help the company to turn its attention towards state transport corporations and city bus corporations for their mofussil and inter-city passenger transportation needs. To them, he added, the updated bus model offers among the lowest TCO in its class, and a bus that is reliable and comfortable. The bus could be had with pneumatic suspension too. In fact, until now, the 1624 bus was offered with a pneumatic suspension only and aimed at private inter-city and mofussil bus operators.

An interesting element concerning the eight new models for 2021 from DICV is the inclusion of a ‘BSafe’ pack as standard. On the bus side, this pack includes infection-proof fabric seats and curtains, and a physical separation between the driver and passengers. The pack also includes a Covid safety kit with an N95 mask for the driver, hand sanitiser and surface disinfectant spray. Could be extended by including a disinfection fogging machine and a UV sanitiser box, the ‘BSafe’ pack also offers a touch-less entry with pneumatic doors, an auto sanitiser at dispenser point, auto temperature sensor at the entry point, disposable seat fabric, a UV filter and a fresh air circulation kit. On the truck side, the ‘BSafe’ pack includes a disposable seat fabric, a Covid safety kit with an N95 mask for the driver, hand sanitiser and surface disinfectant spray, and more.

SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY