Daimler India appoints Andamuthu Ponnusamy Head of its bus business

Hyderabad: Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG ("Daimler Truck"), announced the appointment of Andamuthu Ponnusamy as Head of Bus Business, effective July 1, 2024. Andamuthu began his journey with DICV in 2011 and brings over 35 years of experience in the automotive (passenger and commercial vehicle) industry, specialising in operations management., according to a company media release.

Satyakam Arya, Managing Director & CEO of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, stated, "The bus industry in India is witnessing healthy growth and is poised to become a vital part of the growing CV industry volume in the medium term. Bus is an important part of our business and Andamuthu is the most able person in our organization to take our bus business to the next level. I am confident that he will drive the development and execution of strategic initiatives, focusing on product innovation and operational excellence in our bus business."

He was instrumental in setting up DICV’s truck assembly operations right from the start given his expertise in leading diversified manufacturing teams and his solid comprehension of operational excellence and cost management pivotal to the company’s growth over the last decade. In 2016, he became Head of Cab Production and Truck Operating Systems, where he significantly improved operational excellence in DICV truck operations. Notably, he spearheaded the end-to-end operational planning and execution of the BharatBenz BS6 truck range at the time of the implementation of the regulation in India.

In 2021, Andamuthu was appointed as Head of Bus Production, a role in addition to his role as Head of Truck Cab Production, when he successfully integrated the bus business with truck operations and spearheaded a capacity ramp-up for fully built buses, leading to a significant increase in cumulative production. His continuous efforts towards cost savings in bus production, through strategic initiatives and fostering collaboration with procurement, manufacturing and engineering teams, have been substantial.

Commenting on his appointment, Andamuthu said, "I am honored to be chosen to head the bus business at DICV. With our global DNA and the strong foundation that we have built here at DICV over the past decade, I am confident that we will achieve significant growth and set new industry benchmarks in the bus industry. As we navigate this exciting growth period, my priority will be to sharpen our competitive edge, contribute to the sustainable development of BharatBenz buses, and deliver value to our customers and stakeholders."

Over the last decade, DICV has set high standards for safety and efficiency in the commercial vehicle industry. Recognised for industry-leading total cost of ownership, BharatBenz buses have become synonymous with reliability, comfort, and safety. In 2023, the company rolled out over 1,000 fully-built buses in a single year, showing our commitment to excellence and the ability to meet the growing demands of the market. The BharatBenz brand focus remains on delivering top-quality products that ensure a superior travel experience, while contributing to the sustainable development of the transportation sector.