On the sidelines of IAA Transportation 2026 in Germany, we had the privilege of having a conversation on the future of commercial vehicles in India with Mr. Torsten Schmidt, CEO and Managing Director of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV). This is Schmidt’s second stint in India. He was previously associated with Mercedes-Benz India as its CFO between 2006 and 2009, before returning to the country almost two decades later in a much larger role. His current position also places him at the centre of DICV’s growing role within Daimler Truck’s global operations.
India to Drive the Next Phase of Daimler Trucks
DICV will serve as the anchor entity for the newly established ISEAA customer region, bringing India, South East Asia and Australia Pacific under one structure. The region covers 42 countries and nearly 2.8 billion people, giving India a larger role in Daimler Truck’s regional operations.
DICV has already established India as an important manufacturing, engineering and export base, having exported more than 75,000 trucks and buses and over 330 million parts to more than 70 markets. Its Chennai facility also supplies medium duty transmissions to Daimler Truck plants in Germany.
The company is also preparing for another phase of investment in India. DICV has committed approximately ₹4,000 crore in additional investment in Tamil Nadu, taking its cumulative investment in India beyond ₹14,500 crore. The investment will support manufacturing capacity, research and development infrastructure and future technologies. DICV currently has 92% localisation and works with more than 400 local suppliers.
Technology at the Centre of DICV
Technology was one of the key subjects during our conversation with Mr. Schmidt. DICV is looking at technologies that can reduce driver tiredness and improve safety, while also improving the overall working environment inside the truck. The company is working on features that can help reduce driver fatigue and improve comfort, with the larger objective of supporting vehicle availability and reducing downtime for fleet operators.
The Torqshift Automated Manual Transmission was another important part of the discussion. Introduced with the HX range for the construction and mining segments, the AMT has received a positive response from customers. DICV is now working on further improving the transmission and its efficiency, while also looking at expanding the technology to other models in its portfolio.
Electric and Hydrogen Technologies
We also discussed the future of electric and hydrogen fuel cell trucks in India. Mr. Schmidt explained that the introduction of these technologies will largely depend on customer requirements and the specific needs of the market.
Daimler Truck is following a dual track approach, continuing to develop internal combustion engine technology while also investing in alternative energy solutions. Electric and hydrogen technologies are part of this approach, alongside conventional powertrains, with Daimler Truck showcasing all three technology paths at IAA Transportation 2026.
Expanding DICV’s Reach
DICV is also planning to expand its nationwide service network from the current 430 touchpoints to 600 by 2030, with a particular focus on northern, eastern and north eastern India.
With increased investment, higher localisation, new technologies and a larger regional responsibility, DICV is entering an important phase of its operations in India. For Schmidt, the focus is on building technology and products around the requirements of Indian customers while using Daimler Truck’s global expertise to support the next stage of growth.