Commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland recently held a mini expo at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Kolkata to showcase a range of its medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCV). The two-day expo from August 21 offered opportunity for visitors to experience not only the latest vehicles but also the comprehensive services and solutions that Ashok Leyland offers.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event to Motoring Trends, Ashok Leyland M&HCV President Sanjeev Kumar said, “Kolkata and other Eastern markets offer a vibrant business environment, a sizable customer base and a welcoming environment for investments. Recognising these factors, we have undertaken market analysis and strategic planning to ensure growth in this promising region. Our long-term vision is to become a market leader in the region and provide exceptional products and services.”

He added, “The state has planned new infrastructure projects like Rastashree to strengthen and improve the connectivity in the state. These new projects are expected to boost the demand for the commercial vehicle industry in the region. We want to support the growth story of the state with our robust and rugged M&HCV products best suited for the state.” 

Commenting on how does the company see the adoption of medium and heavy trucks in Bengal given that small transporters are leaving the sector, he said, ‘The M&HCV market is currently undergoing a significant transformation, where sustainability, connectivity, consumer-centric approaches and adaptability to global economic changes converge seamlessly. As the industry continues to evolve, these trends are likely to shape the landscape, influencing the production, and operation of commercial vehicles in the foreseeable future.”

“The growth of the M&HCV segment is propelled by a convergence of key factors. Urbanisation and industrialisation are driving increased demand for efficient freight transportation, fostering the need for medium and heavy commercial vehicles. Technological advancements, including features like advanced telematics and electric or hybrid options, contribute to both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, aligning with current market trends,” he added. 

He also noted that changing consumer preferences and stringent regulatory standards influence manufacturers to invest in research and development, producing compliant and technologically advanced M&HCVs. Additionally, economic stability, rising incomes and infrastructure development projects globally contribute to a heightened demand for commercial vehicles. 

Hence the growth of the MHCV market in Bengal and across India is driven by a combination of urbanisation, technological innovation, changing consumer demands, regulatory standards and economic factors. Manufacturers' adaptability to these dynamic elements remains crucial in meeting the escalating demand for efficient, sustainable and technologically advanced commercial vehicles.

Ashok Leyland showcased a diverse line-up of vehicles at the expo including the AVTR 5525AN 4X2 AC, AVTR 4825HN AC, AVTR 4825TN HD AC, AVTR 3532TN 8X4, AVTR 1925 TN 10.5, Partner Super 914 14FT, Boss 1915 22FT, Oyster Vi School (53-seater), Oyster Vi Staff (40-seater), 15 M bus chassis, and AVTR 55T EV.

The company has organised expos in 11 exclusive locations across India to showcase the latest innovations in the M&HCV sector. 

Speaking from the podium, Kumar said, "The mini expo in Kolkata marks a significant milestone as we continue to lead the way in the commercial vehicle segment. West Bengal and Eastern India at large, has been a key market for us. We have always recognised the potential this region has and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in this geography. The expo is an opportunity for customers to experience our capabilities in driving the future of mobility. We are confident that our vehicles, coupled with our extensive aftermarket solutions, will demonstrate our dedication to providing comprehensive transportation solutions to our customers. We look forward to engaging with our customers and stakeholders at Kolkata."

Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has opened a new dealership for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) in Siliguri, West Bengal. With this new facility, which happens to be the fifth LCV dealership in West Bengal, the company now has a robust LCV distribution network with more than 800 touchpoints.

Located at Eastern Bypass Road, SBM Warehouse, Eastern Bypass, Bhaktinagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, the new dealership will be managed by channel partner Happie Trucking. The main workshop facility (service and spares) is also strategically located at Debgram, Ware House, Thakur Nagar, New Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Equipped with advanced tools, quick service bays and sophisticated infrastructure, the facility is all set to ensure superior customer experience.

Viplav Shah, Head – LCV Business, Ashok Leyland, said, “We are excited to further strengthen our presence in this region. West Bengal and Eastern India, at large, have been a key market for us. We have always recognised the potential this region has, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in this geography. We have been working on creating a strong foothold in the region, and the new dealership in Siliguri will bolster our presence in this geography. The overwhelming success of our ‘DOST Range’ and now the ‘BADA DOST’ can be attributed to the robustness of our products and the extensive reach of our network. All our products have been receiving great responses from our customers, thanks to their best-in-class mileage and class-leading performance, backed by extensive sales and aftersales support. We are extremely proud that our track record of service retention levels is exemplary, with close to 70 percent of our customers returning to our dealer workshops even after the warranty period. We, as always, would remain committed to maintaining and even enhancing the level of customer service and satisfaction. This new dealership is being opened to further strengthen our reach, in line with our commitment.”

VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), recently hosted Jan Thesleff, the Ambassador of Sweden to India, at its manufacturing facilities in Pithampur. He was accompanied by Markus Lundgren, Counsellor and Head of Trade section, Embassy of Sweden and Sofia Hogman, Swedish Trade Commissioner, Business Sweden.

The CV maker states that its VE Powertrain plant is a successful symbol of India-Sweden collaboration. The facility leverages India’s skilled workforce and technical expertise while positioning VECV as a hub for development and manufacturing that meets global standards. Notably, VEPT has been producing Euro 6 (BS VI) compliant engines since 2013, supplying over 40 countries.

Jan Thesleff said, “Currently, more than 280 Swedish companies operate in India, contributing to sectors ranging from automobiles and communications to healthcare and defence, directly generating over 240,000 jobs. The Eicher-Volvo joint venture exemplifies the strategic benefits of this partnership by harnessing the strengths of Sweden and India and fostering mutual growth and technological advancement. I am thoroughly impressed by the advanced technology products and sustainable manufacturing processes I witnessed today at VECV. Their remarkable achievements epitomise the shared innovation, growth, and sustainable development that Sweden-India partnership continues to deliver for the benefit of both nations.”

Vinod Aggarwal, Managing Director & CEO, VECV, said, “We are honoured to welcome His Excellency Ambassador Jan Thesleff and the team from the Swedish Embassy to our Pithampur facility. Over the past 16 years, the VECV joint venture has not only driven the modernisation of India’s commercial vehicle sector but has also enabled Volvo Group to source world-class engines and components, made in India, for its global requirements. The success of this joint venture is rooted in the principles of trust, mutual respect, and win-win collaboration, combining Volvo Group's technology leadership with Eicher’s deep understanding of the Indian market. VECV looks forward to building on this success in the future”.

At present, the company sells CNG, LNG, electric and diesel trucks and buses in India under the Eicher and Volvo brands.

Manba Finance, a leading non-banking finance company (NBFC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Piaggio Vehicles (PVPL), the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Piaggio Group, to provide tailored financing solutions to Piaggio three-wheeler customers.

As per the understanding, the partners are set to form a dedicated central coordination team to oversee the implementation. They will focus on key areas such as product structuring, interest rate optimisation, resource allocation, centralised communication, and training to ensure the efficient execution and monitoring of the tie-up.

The MoU was signed by Diego Graffi, CMD, Piaggio Vehicles and Monil Shah, CBO & Director, Manba Finance, in the presence of Amit Sagar, EVP of Sales and Retail Finance, and Nilesh Arya, Head of Retail Finance, Piaggio Vehicles.

The partners state that the collaboration comes as electric three-wheeler sales saw a record high of 65,700 units in October. With this electric three-wheelers are just 16,856 units away from surpassing the CY2023 total of 583,597 units.

“We are proud to collaborate with one of India’s leading three-wheeler manufacturers, a trusted brand among aspiring entrepreneurs across the country. This partnership strengthens our footprint in the three-wheeler segment while enabling us to provide seamless digital lending solutions to our customers," said Shah.

German automotive component supplier Mahle has bagged a new contract from MAN Truck & Bus to supply components for the hydrogen engine of its ‘MAN hTGX’ truck.

The hydrogen truck uses a direct-injection engine with 6 cylinders, 16.8-litre displacement, which produces 383 kW power. Mahle will supply the hydrogen power cell unit, consisting of piston, piston rings, piston pin and cylinder liner. It will also supply components to be used in the valve train.

Interestingly, MAN aims to build around 200 units of the hydrogen truck for selected markets from 2025.

Dr Roger Busch, member of the Mahle Management Committee and Head of Sales, said, “Mahle has successfully transferred its 100 years of expertise in engine components into the future. Our state-of-the-art pistons and other parts make the internal combustion engine fit for hydrogen and thus climate-neutral. Today, we are able to fulfil our customers’ expectations in terms of performance, efficiency and service life.”

The component supplier says it has successfully tested its engine components to meet the specific requirements of hydrogen operation.

The company claims that the Mahle hydrogen power cell unit, in particular the oil consumption of the motor and the so-called blow-by, i.e. the leakage of hydrogen gas into the crankcase, can be reduced to a minimum. This enables a robust and failure-free operation of the motor.

Mahle at present is working on around 30 hydrogen engine projects for customers in the on- and off-highway sector, with more series launches from its customers being planned in 2025.