•        Unveils the BharatBenzTorqshift 1926 Heavy duty Bus chassis with globally proven Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), built for intercity and staff transport routes

•        Introduces the BharatBenz 917, an 8-metre fully built bus for India's fast-growing school and staff transport segment for enhanced driver productivity, fuel efficiency and lower operating costs

 

India – India's growing urbanization and increasing demand for feeder, last-mile and intercity connectivity are creating significant opportunities in the bus segment. With the country operating only about 24 buses per 100,000 people against a target of 60, the market has substantial headroom for growth. Addressing evolving customer needs for greater efficiency, driver productivity and passenger comfort, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, today unveiled the BharatBenzTorqshift 1926 AMT heavy duty bus chassis for intercity transportation and the BharatBenz 917, an 8-metre fully built bus designed for India's growing compact-bus segment.

 

Globally Proven Torqshift AMT technology

 

Intercity demand remains resilient, with the overall bus industry growing +5% YoY in CY2025 and expected to grow further in 2026 supported by replacement demand and expanding passenger mobility. The commercial passenger transport industry is increasingly challenged by a growing need to improve fleet productivity. In heavily congested operating conditions, frequent clutch and gear operation can contribute to driver fatigue and inconsistent driving performance. Driver availability continues to be a key industry challenge, accelerating demand for solutions that improve driver comfort and productivity. Fleet operators are also seeking solutions that maximize vehicle uptime, reduce driver turnover and lower overall operating costs. These trends are driving a gradual shift toward automated transmission technologies in commercial vehicles.

 

Technology adoption is becoming a competitive differentiator, with automation and connected features increasingly influencing purchase decisions. The BharatBenzTorqshift 1926 Heavy duty bus chassis is designed to reduce driver fatigue and improve fuel efficiency on intercity routes, particularly for travel distances up to 500 km, thereby reducing the need for deploying two drivers. Offering first of its kind features in its segment for the first time in India, the globally proven Torqshift AMT system coupled with German engineered 260 Hp engine automatically selects the optimum gear based on driving conditions, removing the need for continuous clutch and gear operation — a meaningful change on congested urban roads and difficult terrain, where manual shifting adds to driver strain over long shifts. This ensures instant acceleration beyond expectation.  Increased focus on safety with intelligent tyre pressure monitoring system with real-time temperature monitoring and globally proven 5 stage electromagnetic retarder.

 

Key Best in Class features:

●       Intelligent eco roll for smarter coasting and reduced fuel consumption

●       Multiple drive modes. One touch. Total control

●       Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) – With Temperature monitoring

●       Indigenous glide air suspension

●       Cruise control

●       Hill Start Assist

●       Clutch overload monitoring

●       No maintenance Unitised hub bearing

 

Speaking during the unveil, Andamuthu Ponnusamy, Head of Bus Business, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles said, “Fleet operators run on tight margins, and every hour a bus is off the road costs money. The BharatBenzTorqshift 1926 gives drivers an easier, more consistent ride while cutting downtime and lifecycle costs —this kind of improvement shows up directly for fleet operators margins.”

 

Growing demand for compact buses

Medium-duty buses continue to dominate the market, contributing nearly two-thirds of industry volumes, driven by school, staff and institutional transportation requirements. Urbanization and industrial expansion are sustaining demand for dedicated employee and school transport, particularly around manufacturing hubs, SEZs and IT corridors. Safety has become a key procurement criterion, with institutions placing greater emphasis on regulatory compliance and occupant protection. Medium-duty buses offer an optimal balance of capacity, maneuverability and operating costs, making them well suited for dense urban and semi-urban operations. Fleet operators are increasingly seeking reliable, low-maintenance vehicles that maximize uptime while reducing lifecycle operating costs. The BharatBenz 917 is designed to address this reality.

 

Commenting on the new BB 917 Andamuthu said, “For a school bus, safety is vital and is the reason a parent feels comfortable putting their child on board every morning. The BharatBenz 917 fully built bus is built to fit into roads a larger bus cannot enter, while still ensuring safety and comfort.”

 

Safety features:

●       Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

●       Electronic Vehicle Stability Control (EVSC)

●       Highest Roll-over angle offering best in class stability

●       Seat belts for all passengers

●       Largest emergency door in its segment

●       Highly reliable fire alarm and fire protection system

●       Optional PM2.5 air purification (Premium HEPA filter)

 

Comfort features:

●       Retractable lower footstep for easy ingress

●       Ergonomic and comfortable seating

●       Powerful Air-conditioning

●       Anti-skid flooring

●       Under-seat storage

BharatBenz redefining Passenger mobility in India

BharatBenz has been a trailblazer in the Indian commercial vehicle industry with respect to engineering, capability, safety, and comfort since its inception. Both these buses are available at 420+ authorised BharatBenz sales and service locations across India offering reach to customers within two hours. To make acquisition seamless, BharatBenz has partnered with 20+ leading banks and NBFCs offering competitive financing with interest rates starting at 7.5% per annum and other customised financing solutions.  With a continued focus on engineering excellence, safety, fuel efficiency and customer-centric innovation, BharatBenz remains committed to delivering reliable, profitable and future-ready mobility solutions for India's commercial passenger transportation ecosystem.