Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, has announced the appointment of Andamuthu Ponnusamy as the new Head of Bus Business. This change, effective immediately, marks a significant development in the company’s strategic direction for its bus division.
Andamuthu Ponnusamy, who has been with DICV since 2011, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. With over 35 years in the automotive industry, Ponnusamy has a deep expertise in operations management, which will be pivotal as he leads the bus business forward. His previous roles include overseeing DICV’s truck assembly operations, where he played a crucial role in setting up the operations from the ground up and driving the company’s growth.
Under his leadership as Head of Cab Production and Truck Operating Systems since 2016, DICV witnessed significant improvements in operational excellence. He was instrumental in the launch of the BharatBenz BS6 truck range and has been a key figure in enhancing production efficiency.
In 2021, Ponnusamy took on the additional role of Head of Bus Production, where he successfully merged bus operations with truck operations, boosting production capacity and driving cost-saving initiatives. His appointment to lead the bus business now aims to capitalize on this momentum and accelerate growth in the bus sector.
Satyakam Arya, Managing Director & CEO, DICV, expressed confidence in Ponnusamy’s new role, stating, “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 organisation 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.”
Reflecting on his new responsibilities, Andamuthu Ponnusamy, Head of Bus Business, DICV, shared, “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.”
This appointment comes at a time when the Indian bus industry is expected to grow significantly, and DICV is positioning itself to leverage this growth with enhanced strategic focus and innovation under Ponnusamy’s leadership.