Daimler Plans Indian Truck Brand

Daimler AG will begin selling a new brand of trucks in India next year, challenging former partner Tata Motors Ltd. as economic growth and new highways spur demand in that country, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

The Germany-based company will sell 6-ton to 49-ton vehicles under the BharatBenz brand, CEO Dieter Zetsche said.

Daimler may also consider exporting the trucks built at its Indian plant, he said in Chennai, India, where its facility is located, Bloomberg reported.

Daimler reported higher worldwide truck sales for 2010, and for the fourth quarter, in its annual earnings report released Wednesday.

Daimler AG is the parent company of Daimler Trucks North America, which makes Freightliner and Western Star trucks.