Ashok Leyland has delivered an LNG powered haulage truck –AVTR 1922 – to Mahanagar Gas Limited in Hosur (Tamil Nadu) marking yet another significant development in sustainable mobility in India. 

The LNG powertrain of the truck was developed in-house and is BS VI Stage II compliant. The truck, the AVTR 1922 is based on the modular AVTR platform and shares a high degree of commonality with Ashok Leyland's existing diesel truck range.  The result of this is an amount of familiarity in terms of ease of service.   

Stating that Ashok Leyland’s steadfast commitment revolves around the dynamic needs of customers in the ever-evolving world of sustainable transportation, Sanjeev Kumar, President – MHCV, Ashok Leyland, mentioned that innovations in alternate energy space will not only provide eco-conscious solutions, it will also ensure long term profitability for our esteemed customers. 

Of the opinion that a local supply chain must gear up for progress in the field of alternative fuels, Dheeraj Hinduja, Executive Chairman, Ashok Leyland, referred to the strong performance of the company in the second quarter of FY2023-24.

Emphasising that the robust all-round performance of Ashok Leyland during the respective quarter exemplifies its technological and cost leadership, he expressed, “While International business globally is challenged owing to the conflicts across the globe, we are intensifying our expansion strategy in our focus markets of Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Company continues to build its capabilities in alternative energy and shall be soon coming up with some exciting products and solutions.”

Confident that the rest of the two quarters of the FY2023-24 will bring further growth on the back of strong macroeconomic factors, Hinduja informed that their MHCV, ICV and bus segments have recorded good performance. 

For Q2 FY2023-24, Ashok Leyland has reported revenues of INR 96.38 billion vis-a-vis INR 82.66 billion in Q2 FY2022-23, marking a growth of 17 percent. Profit After Tax (PAT) of INR 5.61 billion for the quarter grew 181 percent over same period last year.

The CV maker’s domestic MHCV volume at 29,947 units grew by 18 percent as compared to the Q2 FY2022-23 volume. LCV volumes during Q2 FY2023-24 were 16998 units – almost the same as Q2 FY2022-23 (17,040 numbers). Export volumes for the quarter (MHCV & LCV) were 2901 units, four-per cent higher despite socio-political challenges across the globe.

Witnessing good movement in the MHCV space, Ashok Leyland saw a significant increase in its bus market share making us the Number 1 bus manufacturer in India.

EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) for Q2 FY2023-24 was INR 10.80 billion (11.2 percent) as compared to INR 5.37 billion (6.5 percent) in Q2 FY2022-23. Net Debt at the end of the quarter stood at INR 11.39 billion with a Debt Equity at 0.1 time.

All other businesses of Ashok Leyland posted good growth in the current quarter.  The company expanded its MHCV range by launching new products in tipper, tractor and MAV categories. The focus on expansion of distribution network continued with further addition of 47 touch points in the quarter – especially in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country.

The Board of Directors of Ashok Leyland in their meeting held today, have approved an investment of INR 12.00 billion in Switch Mobility as equity through its holding company Optare PLC, UK.  The funds infused will be used for capital expenditure, R&D and meeting operational requirements both in UK and India. The funds will be infused over the next few months after necessary statutory approvals in one or more tranches.

Switch Group of Companies (Switch Mobility Ltd - UK and Switch Mobility Automotive Ltd- India) house the Electric Mobility initiative of Ashok Leyland with a focus on e-buses and e-LCVs. 

Over the last few years, Switch India has had major success in garnering orders from State Transport Undertakings. As on date Switch in India and UK has over 800 buses plying successfully and has an order book of over 1200 buses. 

Switch India had a successful launch of India’s only Double Decker e-Bus last year. In September 2023, the Ashok Leyland subsidiary launched its state-of-the-art e-LCVs. The company has signed MoUs of over 13000 vehicles for its much-awaited e-LCVs which it will start delivering from the fourth quarter of the current fiscal.

“Electric Vehicles especially in buses and light trucks have a very bright future as Governments and private customers are driving the green agenda. We are very happy with the progress made by Switch, and we will continue to invest on building its capabilities. We are confident that Switch will grow further in the European markets with the launch in 2024 of our new E1 12 m bus developed specifically for the European market. Our portfolio of electric buses will cover value and premium segments meeting all price points for many global markets,” Hinduja commented. 

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TVS Motor Company has announced the launch of ‘TVS KING Ka Vaada 3.0’, an expanded value-added scheme for its three-wheeler portfolio. The initiative extends beyond vehicle maintenance to include financial security and protection benefits for customers and their families.

The updated programme introduces personal and family protection measures alongside traditional vehicle support.

Personal accident coverage for up to INR 1 million in the event of death or permanent disability. Education support of INR 100,000 per child for up to two children in the event of death or permanent disability. Hospitalisation income of INR 4,000 per day for up to 30 days during medical confinement. Three free services and roadside assistance across the range.

The scheme applies to both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric Vehicle (EV) models in the passenger and cargo segments.

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In what is seen as a global energy crisis on the back of the ongoing war between Iran and USA-Israel, is now also expected to have an impact on the Indian transport sector.

Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor & Former President – All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), has called for proactive government measures to protect the economy and the road transport sector from the effects of escalating tensions in the Middle East. The warning follows a surge in crude oil prices to nearly USD 95 per barrel and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz as of late February 2026.

The road transport sector is experiencing a slowdown due to reduced industrial output. Industry observations indicate a decline of up to 50 percent in certain segments, with projections suggesting this could reach 70–80 percent if current disruptions persist.

Furthermore, it can also lead to rising prices for fuel, lubricants, tyres and AdBlue (urea). He has expressed concerns over driver migration due to fewer work opportunities and the closure or price increases at highway eateries.

The ‘energy war’ scenario is impacting the wider MSME ecosystem, leading to higher production costs and operational challenges for small businesses and trading establishments.

Singh has urged the government to implement policy support to maintain economic stability, emphasising that the transport sector serves as the lifeline for domestic trade.

Proposed interventions include:

• Deferment of Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs).
• Introduction of soft loan schemes.
• Targeted tax relaxations for transporters and MSMEs.

Bal Malkit Singh, said, “The current geo-political developments are an early warning signal for our economy. The road transport sector, being the lifeline of trade and commerce, is already experiencing stress due to reduced movement and rising operational costs. If timely interventions are not considered, the situation could escalate significantly in the coming weeks. It is essential to support MSMEs and transporters through relief measures such as deferment of EMIs, soft loan schemes, and tax relaxations to ensure business continuity and economic stability.”

Image credit: Samuel Wolfl/Pexels

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Euro NCAP has announced that Allianz has joined the Safer Trucks programme as an Associate Member, which combines vehicle safety assessment with commercial risk data.

The Safer Trucks programme, launched in 2024, provides safety ratings for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). In its first two years, the initiative has assessed 30 truck models and identified safety gaps in the freight sector. Data indicates that in collisions involving HGVs, 90 percent of fatalities are occupants of other vehicles or pedestrians and cyclists. Freight transport accounts for the movement of 95 percent of goods across the EU.

Allianz operates in 70 countries and will contribute expertise on risk trends and claims data. The Allianz Center for Technology will serve as the centre for automotive technology and traffic safety to promote vehicle safety.

The involvement of insurers in safety assessments aims to inform manufacturers and fleet operators about areas for improvement. According to the programme, avoiding accidents reduces repair costs and downtime, which can lead to lower insurance premiums for fleets.

Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development, Euro NCAP, said, “We are delighted to welcome Allianz to the Safer Trucks programme. Their expertise in risk and casualty analysis adds a valuable new dimension to our multi-disciplinary approach. Safer Trucks is designed not only to benchmark safety performance but also to catalyse improvements in truck design and technology. By integrating risk insight from Allianz with our independent testing data, we aim to accelerate safety innovation across the commercial vehicle sector.”

Matthias Trustedt, Head of Global P&C, Allianz SE, said, “Joining Euro NCAP’s Safer Trucks initiative aligns with our commitment to reducing road risk through evidence-based insights. We believe that independent safety ratings, tied to real-world risk data, can influence both purchasing decisions and the development of safer vehicle technologies. Allianz is proud to support this important work, to help fleet operators make informed choices that protect drivers and other road users, and to offer them tailored and risk-based insurance solutions.”

Christian Sahr, MD, Allianz Center for Technology, said, “Our accident research shows that modern safety systems in trucks can significantly reduce the number of serious accidents. In addition to protecting life, avoiding accidents brings economic benefits for fleet operators because a fleet with lower repair and downtime costs is more efficient, offers better working conditions for drivers, and has significantly lower insurance premiums. Through our cooperation with Euro NCAP, we see excellent opportunities to use our combined expertise to improve the market penetration of safety systems that are already available and that contribute to accident prevention.”

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Piaggio Vehicles (PVPL), a subsidiary of the Piaggio Group, has secured an order for more than 100 units of its Ape Xtra Bada 700 cargo three-wheeler from HeidelbergCement India.

The three-wheelers will be deployed across 53 districts in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. This order marks the entry of the new diesel cargo model into industrial applications.

The Ape Xtra Bada 700 features a 700 DI diesel engine, a 7-foot cargo deck and a payload capacity of 750 kg, which is the highest in the three-wheeler cargo segment. The vehicle is equipped with 12-inch radial tyres, a digital instrument cluster with a 3.5-inch LCD and an optional rear sensor for reversing.

The vehicle architecture includes a chassis and suspension geometry designed for stability and load distribution. The cabin is engineered for long-distance operation and the engine is tuned for torque and pickup. Piaggio offers a five-year warranty on the model. The company positions this three-wheeler as a replacement for entry-level four-wheeler small commercial vehicles (SCVs) due to its operating economics.

Amit Sagar, Executive Vice President, CV Domestic Business & Retail Finance, Piaggio Vehicles, said, “This flagship order from Heidelberg Cement India Limited is a strong validation of the Ape Xtra Bada 700’s disruptive capabilities. At Piaggio India, we have always believed in pushing the boundaries of innovation in the last-mile mobility segment. The Ape Xtra Bada 700 sets new industry benchmarks in engine capacity, deck size and payload, and is designed to empower customers with more productivity and superior earnings. Breaking into applications traditionally dominated by 4-wheeler SCV marks an important milestone in our journey of offering better TCO and profitability to our customers.”

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