There’s some good information here pertaining to DaimlerChrysler’s Indian ambitions. Tata would seem to be off Stuttgart’s radar, but both Ashok Leyland and Eicher are still very much in the frame as potential partners for DC’s truck operation. We continue to regard Eicher as the more likely – the fit seems good, and, more cynically, we’d observe that the smaller Indian OEM would be more readily amenable to accepting the role of junior partner. The launch of the Actros into the Indian market earlier this year would allow a DC-Eicher combination to cover the commodity end of the market with a local product, whilst offering a premium Mercedes-sourced offering to the upper end of the business. Moreover, both Volvo and Scania are interested in a stake in Ashok, and, given Iveco’s less-than-contented, and now terminated relationship with the Chennai-based OEM, there’s good reason to suspect that Eicher is DC’s preferred choice. Email the Author.