A Niti Aayog report recently said that India's trucking market is expected to grow over four times by 2050. This came as no surprise with a recent truck launch in Pune – not a regular truck launch, mind you, but a liquefied natural gas (LNG) one at that. The truck was launched by Blue Energy Motors last week at its plant in Chakan, Pune. The truck comes with a major focus on developing LNG as an alternative fuel. Its market entry is starting with the introduction of the 5528 4x2 truck as the first model. The truck was inaugurated earlier this month by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India.

Moreover, Blue Energy Motors has collaborated with FPT Industrial – a brand of Iveco Group dedicated to the design, production and sale of powertrains for on-road and off-road vehicles, as well as marine and power generation applications – for this truck. For example, the 5528 truck uses FPT Industrial’s multipoint stoichiometric combustion engine to ensure better fuel consumption and lower noise than diesel engines.

The truck was launched by Anirudh Bhuwalka, CEO, Blue Energy Motors. Sylvain Blaise, President of Iveco Group’s Powertrain Business Unit, and Prakhar Saxena, Chief Marketing Officer at Blue Energy Motors, were also present at the launch.

Sharing his thoughts, Bhuwalka said, “As individuals, it is our responsibility to do something about climate change. In my mind, there is an immediate need for decarbonisation. We have several alternatives for decarbonisation, like electric vehicles (EVs). However, EVs have some major issues, like range and cost. LNG solves all the major problems of technology that we talk about. It’s cheaper and cleaner. When the Honourable Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, was here, he said that LNG is the fuel of the future.”

Furthermore, throwing some light on the Blue Energy and FPT Industrial partnership, Bhuwalka cited, “Both the companies are committed to an active and swift decarbonisation path in the commercial transport segment and share the same strong belief that LNG trucks are a sustainable option for the market.”

Blaise said, “We are thrilled that FPT Industrial has joined Blue Energy Motors to begin this exciting journey towards advancing Indian commercial transport. India is one of the largest vehicle markets in the world and our cutting-edge technology and natural gas engines are key enablers of the ecological transformation and generating value for the transport operators.”
 

The 5528 4x2 truck is built at the Blue Energy facility. Giving more insights on this latest truck, Saxena informed, “The LNG truck is built with world-class aggregates. With a 990-litre truck tank onboard, one can get a range of 1,400 kilometres on a single fill. Plus, it comes with a one-of-its-kind service support, from an assured quality of repair and services to fully experienced and trained technicians.”

Saxena further added, “Due to connected trucks with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, there is a 75 percent reduction in breakdown events, 30 percent improvement in driver behaviour, 30 percent increase in asset availability and 10 percent reduction in maintenance cost.”

Blue Energy Motors has installed a capacity to produce 10,000 trucks/annum, which can be augmented further as the ecosystem matures and the demand ramps up. 

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Mahindra Group has announced plans to build its largest integrated manufacturing facility for automobiles and tractors in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The announcement was made during the Advantage Vidarbha industrial event.

The company has committed a total investment of INR 15,000 crore over a 10-year period to strengthen its footprint in the state. The project includes a 1,500-acre site in Vidarbha and a 150-acre supplier park in Sambhajinagar.

Upon completion, the facility will have an annual production capacity of 500,000 vehicles and 100,000 tractors. Production is scheduled to commence in 2028.

The location provides access to the Samruddhi Expressway and rail links for domestic and export distribution. The Sambhajinagar supplier park will provide components to this new plant as well as existing facilities in Chakan and Nashik to improve logistics and localisation.

The automotive unit will support the NU_IQ architecture and produce vehicles across internal combustion engine (ICE), electric vehicle (EV) and other powertrain technologies. The facility will utilise automation and digital systems. Additionally, Mahindra will acquire land in the Igatpuri-Nashik region to expand engine and product capacities for its technology business.

Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, “Mahindra’s decision to establish its largest integrated auto and tractor manufacturing facility in Maharashtra is a strong endorsement of the state’s robust industrial ecosystem and progressive policy framework. This landmark investment will generate significant employment, accelerate regional development in Vidarbha and surrounding areas, and further reinforce Maharashtra’s position as a leading manufacturing hub in India.”

Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO, Auto and Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “This facility represents a bold step forward in Mahindra’s manufacturing journey. Designed to support our next generation of vehicles and tractors, it brings together scale, flexibility and advanced technology within one integrated footprint. It strengthens our ability to deliver world-class products while staying true to our commitment to ‘Make in India for the World.’ We are proud to deepen our partnership with the state of Maharashtra through this transformative investment.”

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SANY India has expanded its national network with the opening of two new 3S dealerships, reinforcing its market presence and customer-first philosophy. In a strategic partnership with M/s. Avni Automobiles, the company inaugurated a facility in Indore designed to serve Madhya Pradesh. This location will provide comprehensive sales, service and spare parts support to customers in Indore and surrounding key areas, including Dewas, Pithampur, Sanwer, Hatod and Betma. Simultaneously, the company launched a second new 3S outlet in Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, which operates under a Company Owned and Company Operated model to directly enhance regional engagement and support.

Both state-of-the-art facilities feature a modern showroom, a dedicated service bay and an organised spare parts section, all structured to ensure a seamless customer experience and efficient access to SANY’s extensive range of construction, mining, road, logistics and energy equipment. The Indore inauguration was marked by the presence of Rahul Tiwari, Regional Manager of SANY India, alongside senior officials from both SANY and Avni Automobiles. Similarly, the Thiruvarur opening included T Ravishankar, Regional Manager, and Karthik M, COCO Head of SANY Trichy, with other senior SANY India leaders.

These inaugurations represent significant milestones in SANY’s growth trajectory, aimed at supporting regional infrastructure development. The expansions underscore the company’s commitment to delivering world-class products and unmatched after-sales support through localised excellence, thereby strengthening its nationwide network to meet growing customer needs across India.

Rangasami S, Head – Mini & Small Excavator, SANY India, said, “Madhya Pradesh has always been the frontier of infrastructure growth in central India, driven by rapid growth and increasing investments in Bharatmala, mining and urban development projects. Our partnership with M/s. Avni Automobiles for this 3S dealership marks a significant step towards strengthening our service network and enhancing customer accessibility. With this addition, we aim to deliver not only superior products but also prompt support and holistic solutions to our customers in the region.”

Abhishek Jain, Founder, M/s. Avni Automobiles, said, “We are excited to partner with SANY India, a brand known for its engineering excellence, customer satisfaction and commitment to innovation. Through this 3S dealership, we are committed to offering end-to-end solutions from sales to service and spare parts. This partnership reinforces our commitment to provide reliable & timely support to customers in and around Indore. We are dedicated to supporting the infrastructure growth of the region in collaboration with SANY India.”

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The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a rating system for commercial driving. The partnership aims to establish a framework for driving standards, insurance assessments and background checks.

The project focuses on creating a technology stack to support a digital public infrastructure for a nationwide rollout. This initiative addresses the current difficulties in monitoring commercial driver performance, safety and well-being, which are often affected by inconsistent standards and limited accountability.

The system will use data-driven approaches, leveraging smartphone inputs and vehicle sensor data to evaluate driving behaviour. The goal is to provide fleet operators, insurers and government bodies with a tool to track performance and compliance in real time.

Prof Gitakrishnan Ramadurai, Project Coordinator at IIT Madras, said, “Trucks and truck drivers are the backbone of our country. This project provides them an aadhaar for their good work. The driver rating system rewards good driving and helps correct risky driving thereby saving lives, money and time for all stakeholders.”

The collaboration combines academic research with industrial application to translate data into scalable products. By incentivising responsible driving, the system is intended to improve employability for drivers and provide data for policymaking.

Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations at IIT Madras, said, “IIT Madras has been at the forefront of research in road safety and mobility, with the goal of building systems, processes, and infrastructure that ensure safer outcomes for our roads, drivers and commuters. Our partnership with Daimler is a testament to our shared commitment to this vision and also emphasises how industry-academia collaborations play a crucial role in translating research into impactful, scalable and ready-to-implement products and processes that deliver meaningful societal impact.”

For Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, the partnership aligns with corporate sustainability goals focused on driver professionalism and safety within the transport ecosystem.

Alexander Schoen, Chief Financial Officer, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, stated, “At DICV, road safety and responsible mobility are central to how we approach sustainability. This collaboration with IIT Madras reflects our commitment to using technology and data-driven innovation to create meaningful, scalable solutions that improve driver safety, professionalism, and well-being across the commercial transport ecosystem. By contributing to the development of a universal driver rating framework, we aim to support safer roads, stronger livelihoods, and a more accountable mobility system for India.”

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German technology company ZF Group has appointed Jake Morris as the Site Leader for ZF Hub UK, located in Solihull, effective from 1 January 2026.

Morris assumes responsibility for the leadership of the technical centre, which opened in 2021 to support the company’s research, development and manufacturing footprint in the UK.

He has spent over 25 years with ZF, holding positions in portfolio management, finance, purchasing and engineering. In addition to his new role, he will continue to oversee the global steer-by-wire strategy, a technology that replaces mechanical steering connections with electronic signals. His previous experience as Portfolio Director involved managing steering product strategies for mobility technologies.

At present, the Solihull facility serves as a centre for advanced engineering and testing across the automotive, industrial and aerospace sectors. The site has contributed to the development of autonomous driving systems and steer-by-wire technologies. It houses a testing facility used by both ZF and external customers to validate new technologies within the UK’s automotive sector.

Morris succeeds Bal Panaser, who is retiring following a career of more than 40 years in the automotive industry. Panaser was involved in the establishment and management of ZF’s operations in the UK. Morris will now focus on the site’s integration into ZF’s global technology roadmap and the delivery of engineering solutions.

“I am proud to take on this role and to lead the talented teams at the ZF Hub UK. The site has a strong legacy within both ZF and the automotive industry, with significant history of automotive technology development and testing. For instance, technologies including ZF’s autonomous driving and Steer-by-Wire technologies began life at the site. I look forward to working closely with colleagues and partners to continue delivering innovative technology solutions for our customers and supporting ZF’s long-term success,” said Morris.

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