Caterpillar Unveils AI And Autonomous Technologies At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026
- By MT Bureau
- March 03, 2026
Caterpillar, a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, has announced new technology, service solutions and products at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 aimed at productivity, safety and labour shortages. The company is demonstrating a single platform to connect operations through AI and autonomy.
The American company is showcasing the Cat AI Assistant, designed to help teams reach decisions via recommendations and data interaction. The company also debuted its first autonomous soil compactor, the Cat CS12 and Collision Mitigation technology within the Cat Detect portfolio.
Key technological integrations include:
- Fleet Management: A collaboration with Geotab Inc. integrates on-highway data into the VisionLink platform, allowing management of both Cat and non-Cat assets.
- Remote Operation: Live demonstrations are featuring advancements in construction autonomy and remote equipment control.
- Power Solutions: Displayed units include high-horsepower C3.6 and C13D engines alongside connectivity tools for condition monitoring.
The company launched Cat Compact, a destination for small contractors to buy, rent and service equipment. Additionally, a refreshed Cat Rentals brand and digital solution have been introduced to assist customers in monitoring scaled equipment operations.
Caterpillar has updated its service commitments to include next-day parts and two-day repairs, supported by Cat Credits if these targets are not met.
The event serves as the venue for the Global Operator Challenge finals and the inaugural Global Dealer Technician Challenge, recognising the skills of equipment professionals.
Joe Creed, CEO, Caterpillar, said, “As jobsites become more complex, we’re rapidly innovating to simplify how our customers operate and grow – at any scale. This week, we’re demonstrating how a single platform connects the entire operation – empowering customers with AI and autonomy, redefining service and investing in the people doing the work every day.”
Rod Shurman, Caterpillar Construction Industries Group President, said, “Caterpillar is focused on the challenges customers are dealing with right now: labour, safety and productivity. From AI and autonomy in action to full-fleet connectivity to services commitments, everything we’re showing is built to work where and when customers need it most whether it's on the job, in the shop or at the office.”
Mahindra Truck And Bus Launches Blazo i-TRK Range
- By MT Bureau
- August 13, 2026
Mahindra Truck and Bus, a division of the Mahindra Group, has introduced the Mahindra Blazo i-TRK heavy commercial vehicle range in India.
The vehicle range features Mahindra's 320hp mPOWER engine and the iMAXX 2.0 fleet telematics platform.
The company says the new Blazo i-TRK delivers up to 10 percent higher fuel efficiency compared to previous models. Mahindra has also introduced a 48-hour uptime guarantee for the vehicle range, offering a compensation scheme of INR 10,000 per day in cases where service timelines are not met.
The telematics platform connects vehicle systems to provide fleet operators with operational data, remote monitoring capabilities and maintenance management tools. The integration of connected vehicle technology is intended to support freight movement and fleet productivity across Indian transport routes.
- Eicher Trucks & Buses
- VE Commercial Vehicles
- VECV
- Regional Competence Development Centre
- RCDC
- S S Gill
- Sumit Dewan
- DCRUST
Eicher Trucks & Buses Opens Competence Development Centre In Murthal
- By MT Bureau
- August 13, 2026
Eicher Trucks & Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), has inaugurated its 11th Regional Competence Development Centre (RCDC) at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology (DCRUST) in Murthal, Haryana. The facility was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini.
The centre was established in collaboration with DCRUST to provide technical instruction and skill training in commercial vehicle technologies. It covers 7,900 square feet and contains classrooms, workshops, vehicle practice bays, diagnostic tools and training platforms for light, medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. It features dynamic driveline models, engine sections, electrical laboratories, a vehicle inspection pit and VECV's mobile training unit.
S S Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “We are grateful to the Chief Minister of Haryana Nayab Singh Saini, the Government of Haryana and our partner, DCRUST, for their support in making this Regional Competence Development Centre a reality. At Eicher, we believe the future of the commercial vehicle industry will be shaped as much by skilled people as by advanced technologies. Through this collaboration, we are creating a strong foundation for future-ready talent and contributing to a resilient mobility ecosystem.”
Sumit Dewan, Senior Vice-President, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, "Through our partnership with DCRUST, we are creating a platform that enables students, faculty and dealership professionals to gain hands-on exposure to advanced commercial vehicle technologies and evolving industry practices. Students from the centre will have the opportunity to serve in their communities through Eicher’s nationwide network of dealerships across Delhi-NCR, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. The centre will strengthen technical capability across our service network, enhancing customer experience through improved vehicle uptime and operational efficiency.”
The curriculum covers areas including electric vehicles, mechatronics, powertrains, automated transmissions, vehicle electronics, diagnostics, telematics, emission control systems, driver assistance systems and alternative fuels such as CNG and LNG.
The Murthal facility will support the training needs of nearly 50 dealerships across Delhi-NCR, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. Approximately 150 engineering students from DCRUST will use the facility annually, while the mobile training initiative is expected to reach 600 students per year across technical institutions in the region.
- Daimler India Commercial Vehicles
- BharatBenz
- Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu Conclave
- Daimler AG
- Torsten Schmidt
Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Plots INR 40 Billion Investment In Tamil Nadu
- By MT Bureau
- August 13, 2026
Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG and manufacturer of BharatBenz trucks and buses, has inked a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu at the Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave.
As per the understanding, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles plans to invest INR 40 billion to further strengthen its business in India. Once finalised, the total investment by DICV in the country will exceed INR 145 billion and create an additional 400 jobs, since it started operations in 2012.
Till date, the company has sold over 220,000 trucks and buses in the country, which find applications across freight movement, construction, mining, logistics and passenger mobility.
The company's primary manufacturing and R&D footprint consists of a 400-acre plant in Oragadam near Chennai, employing over 4,000 staff and utilising a network of more than 400 local suppliers that account for 92 percent of product value localisation. The brand's nationwide distribution and service setup comprises over 420 dealer touchpoints, complemented by a Parts Logistics Centre in Pune.
In addition to serving domestic requirements, DICV functions as an export hub within Daimler Truck's international network. The Chennai facility has exported over 75,000 commercial vehicles and 330 million parts to more than 70 markets, alongside supplying transmissions to Daimler Truck manufacturing locations in Germany.
Torsten Schmidt, Managing Director & CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said, "BharatBenz was built for India, and this investment reflects our confidence in the next phase of the country’s commercial vehicle growth. As infrastructure, logistics, mining, construction and passenger mobility continue to expand, Indian customers need trucks and buses that deliver higher uptime, safety, reliability and operating efficiency. Through BharatBenz, we are strengthening products, localization, service readiness and parts availability for India, while also reinforcing the country’s role as an important manufacturing and supply base within Daimler Truck’s global network."
Ashok Leyland Partners Drivn To Provide EV Financing Solutions
- By MT Bureau
- August 10, 2026
Ashok Leyland, the commercial vehicle manufacturer and flagship company of the Hinduja Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Drivn, a financing and leasing provider for electric commercial vehicles. The agreement aims to offer financial solutions to customers purchasing Ashok Leyland electric vehicles.
The agreement was signed by Niruban M, Head of Alternate Energy at Ashok Leyland and Alpna Jain, CBO and Co-Founder of Drivn.
As per the understanding, Drivn will supply end-to-end financial solutions, including financing, leasing, and fleet ownership structures. The initiative seeks to lower initial capital expenditure for buyers and support the adoption of electric commercial vehicles across business sectors.
Sudip Dhali, Head of Marketing at Ashok Leyland, stated: “Ashok Leyland is delighted to partner with Drivn to offer attractive and accessible financing solutions to our EV customers. This strategic partnership will further strengthen our market presence by making our innovative range of electric commercial vehicles more accessible to businesses across the country. Backed by cutting-edge technology and delivering an industry-leading total cost of ownership, our products are designed to maximize customer profitability. We remain committed to providing best-in-class mobility solutions and an exceptional ownership experience for our customers.”
Alpna Jain added, “We are pleased to partner with Ashok Leyland to offer seamless electric vehicle financing solutions. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to supporting businesses with accessible, tailored financial solutions that simplify vehicle ownership and enable growth. We aim to make electric commercial vehicle ownership simpler, more accessible, and more rewarding for our customers.”
Ashok Leyland continues to expand its portfolio of electric trucks and buses, targeting zero-emission commercial mobility within the Indian market.

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