Daimler launches its Financial Services in India

     German luxury automobile Daimler AG has launched its Financial Services unit in India. The Daimler Financial Service is a 100% owned subsidiary of Daimler AG and is headquartered in Chennai.

     The Daimler Financial Services is formed with an initial investment of US $50 million. The investment is expected to be increased to US $500 million in the next five years. The company offers Finance and insurance offers to its customers and dealers.


     The company plans to launch a financial service to BharatBenz in 2012. BharatBenz is a subsidiary of Daimler AG aimed at commercial vehicles in India.


Official Press release:


Daimler AG today announced the official launch of its Financial Services unit in India. Headquartered in Chennai, Daimler Financial Services India is a 100% subsidiary of Daimler AG.


“Two out of five Mercedes-Benz cars and every fourth commercial vehicle of the Daimler group worldwide is financed or leased by Daimler Financial Services. We intend to replicate this success story in India as soon as possible”, commented Mr. Klaus Entenmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Financial Services AG. “Daimler Financial Services aims to reach a contract volume of USD 500 million in India in five years”, he added.


Daimler Financial Services operates in 40 countries worldwide. With a contract volume of Euro 63.7 billion at the end of 2010, it is one of the world’s largest automotive financial services providers for passenger cars and the world’s largest provider of financing for trucks, buses and vans. Furthermore it provides automotive insurance solutions with a contract portfolio of more than 1.8 million contracts. The new subsidiary in India is registered as Daimler Financial Services India Pvt Ltd. The company offers comprehensive finance, leasing and insurance products to customers and dealers of Mercedes-Benz cars in India under the brand ‘Mercedes-Benz Financial’ with immediate effect.


“In 2010, we sold more than 5.800 units in India, nearly double of our previous year’s sales figure. The luxury car market in India and Mercedes-Benz India in particular is on a dynamic growth path. With 75% of Indian car customers opting for vehicle finance, our financial services solutions and innovative products will be a catalyst in the purchase process. It is here that Mercedes-Benz Financial with seamless integration across all our dealerships will play a pivotal role”, says Mr. Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India.


By 2012, Daimler’s truck brand BharatBenz is expected to be operational. Daimler Financial Services will then also support sales with financial services for BharatBenz. Daimler Financial Services has announced an initial investment of USD 50 million as part of its market entry and has put in place an electronic point-of-sales system to deliver speedy loan approval decisions and contract processing across all Mercedes-Benz dealerships. With 50 experienced industry professionals already on board and more to join soon, Daimler Financial Services India has set out for itself an ambitious growth path and a robust business outlook. Right from the beginning Daimler Financial Services India will offer a motor insurance product that was developed together with the strategic partner Bajaj Allianz.


Mr. Sidhartha Nair, Managing Director of Daimler Financial Services India, elaborated further: “We want to be the first choice provider of financial services products for our dealers and customers in India in the near term. Our one-stop solution for customers who buy a vehicle and demand finance and insurance in a quick and efficient manner will differentiate us from others.”

BharatBenz – the new brand from Daimler for India

     German automobile giant Daimler AG has unvieled a new brand for India named ‘BharatBenz’. With the increasing demand of commercial vehicles in India, Daimler aims to gain maximum foothold with this new brand in the segment. The new brand BharatBenz will be limited to commercial vehicles like buses and trucks from Daimler Group in India.

     Under BharatBenz brand, Daimler has invested Rs 4,400 crore at a facility in Oragadam near Chennai which will manufacture 6 to49 tonnes commercial vehicles. Bharat Benz will compete with players like Sweden’s Volvo, Germany’s Man and America Navistar in India heavy vehicle segment.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG & Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars -

We would have liked to come to the country earlier but there was a slowdown. We are very clear that we want to take a leadership position in India. We have chosen a very promising product for this market.