Known for its engines, engine components and generators, Cooper Corporation has commissioned a modern tractor plant in Satara, Maharashtra. The plant will produce the Cooper Tractor NDC Series, which is designed to revolutionise farming with its superior performance, fuel efficiency and innovative engineering. 
A part of the company’s mission to innovate and provide superior machinery for the agriculture sector, the new plant attracted an investment of approximately INR 500-600 million. The initial capacity of the plant is to produce 2,000 tractors per month in low, mid and high horsepower segments. 
To be sold initially in Maharashtra, the Cooper Tractor NDC Series tractor – made at the Satara plant – is designed for tough terrains and heavy-duty operations. It comes with an array of innovative features, such as high fuel efficiency, ergonomic design and lower maintenance costs. 
Developed in collaboration with renowned global engineering firms such as Magna Steyr for design, Ricardo UK for engine development, Carraro for transmission and Mita for hydraulics, the Cooper Tractor promises superior performance and savings in fuel, service and operational costs and is tailored for Indian farming needs. 
Speaking about the development, Farrokh N Cooper, Chairman and Managing Director, Cooper Corporation Pvt. Ltd., expressed, “Today marks a historic milestone for Cooper Corporation as we step into the agricultural sector with the launch of our first-ever tractor. The Cooper Tractor NDC Series is a result of years of research, innovation and dedication to delivering a product that truly serves the needs of Indian farmers. Built with global expertise and local insights, this tractor is designed to enhance productivity, reduce operational costs and withstand the toughest farming conditions. As a company deeply rooted in Satara, we are proud to contribute to the growth of Indian agriculture and the prosperity of our farmers.”
The tractor – featuring dual-clutch transmission, power steering and a low turning radius of 3 m – is powered by a superior fuel-efficient four-valve engine with a bed plate design, HLA, Bosch Fuel System, ceramic-coated rings, piston cooling Jet and long-life compacted graphite cylinder head, 
Highlighting the tractor’s superior performance is its ability to deep plough, to low RPM drop during fieldwork and a quick forward and reverse shuttle lever. 

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Montra Electric M&HCV, part of the Murugappa Group, has announced a major milestone for its Rhino 5538EV heavy-duty electric trucks, which it claims has collectively travelled over 12 million kilometres on Indian roads in just two years. The fleet of 350 trucks has been primarily deployed in critical sectors like steel, cement and port logistics.

This achievement highlights the growing viability of electric heavy-duty transport in India. According to Montra Electric, the fleet has helped companies reduce an estimated 3.79 million tons of CO2 emissions since its launch.

Jalaj Gupta, MD, Montra Electric, said, "This milestone is a powerful validation of India's transition to clean mobility. With the Rhino 5538EV, we are proving that electric heavy transport isn’t a distant future, it’s already a reality on Indian roads."

The Rhino 5538EV trucks have maintained an uptime of over 98 percent, demonstrating their reliability in demanding industrial environments. The company shared that customers have reportedly placed repeat orders for the trucks, citing significant savings on fuel and maintenance costs. Montra Electric is providing 24x7 on-site service on its fleets to ensure maximum productivity.

The Rhino EV is powered by a 282 kWh LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery and a PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor), delivering 380 horsepower and 2000 Nm of torque. The trucks support fast charging, which can bring the battery from 20 percent to 100 percent in just one hour. The company plans to expand its Rhino lineup to include a 4x2 tractor-trailer and a 6x4 tipper configuration.

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Pune-headquartered alternative fuel commercial vehicle manufacturer Blue Energy Motors has appointed Anand Mimani as CEO of its EV & New Energy Business.

Mimani will be responsible for the company’s focused vertical on integrated clean freight ecosystem. The automaker is working on accelerating expansion across electric heavy-duty vehicles, energy-as-a-service platforms and green corridor infrastructure.

He comes with over 26-years of experience in mobility, energy and clean tech. Till recently, he was the CEO of GreenLine Mobility Solutions, where he led the deployment of India’s largest fleet of LNG-pwoered trucks.

In his new role, Mimani will lead the EV & New Energy division’s business strategy, operations, product rollout and partner ecosystem — with a sharp focus on scaling zero-emission trucking solutions. He will report directly to Anirudh Bhuwalka, Founder & Managing Director, Blue Energy Motors, who continues to steer the company’s overall mission, strategic direction and group-level leadership.

Bhuwalka, said, “As we scale rapidly, it’s critical to bring in focused leadership for each of our high-growth verticals. Anand’s appointment as CEO of our EV and New Energy Business significantly strengthens our execution capacity in the electric mobility and infrastructure space, while advancing our broader vision for a zero-emission freight future.”

The Pune-based automaker is working on clean freight platform combining battery-electric, LNG and energy-as-a-service solutions under one integrated ecosystem. With EV and energy infrastructure representing a critical pillar of its scale-up, it is now strengthening leadership in this vertical to:

- Ramp up deployment of electric truck platforms

- Scale battery swap and charging hubs across key freight corridors

- Deepen partnerships with energy providers, logistics firms, and OEMs

Anand Mimani, said, “I’m excited to join Blue Energy at such a pivotal time. The opportunity to lead the EV & New Energy vertical – while working closely with Anirudh and the leadership team – is incredibly energising. Together, we aim to build a freight ecosystem that is clean, efficient, and future-proof.”

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David Hanna has been named Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, effective 1 October 2025. He brings extensive two-decade automotive industry experience from both manufacturer and retail perspectives.

Hanna originally joined Volkswagen Group UK in 2014 and has since cultivated deep brand knowledge through significant roles within the Audi, Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles divisions, including Head of Network Sales at Volkswagen Passenger Cars UK. This strategic appointment marks a return to the light commercial vehicles sector for Hanna, where his proven leadership and historical involvement are expected to drive the brand's future growth and strengthen its market position.

Damien O’Sullivan, Managing Director, Volkswagen Group UK, said, “I am delighted to welcome David to the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group UK in his new role as Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.  I’m sure he will bring strong leadership and considerable experience to this important role.”

Hanna said, “Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is a fantastic brand with class-leading products and an incredible history. It also has one of the best team of retailers in the UK through its Van Centre Network. I’m excited to be able to lead the team in the UK, and am very much looking forward to working with them and the network again in order to continue the success of the brand.”

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Tata Motors, one of India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers, has launched the all-new Tata LPT 812, its latest offering in the Intermediate, Light and Medium Commercial Vehicles (ILMCV) segment.

The LPT 812 builds upon the company’s capabilities and is claimed to be India’s first 4-tyre truck with a 5-tonne rated payload. It is built on the company’s LPT platform, which is claimed to provide the ruggedness of a 6-tyre vehicle, while offering the efficiency, agility and lower maintenance of a 4-tyre truck. It is available in multi-load body options for customers operating across industrial goods, market load, F&V and courier applications, among others.

Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, “The launch of the Tata LPT 812 sets a new benchmark in customer profitability in the segment. This category-defining truck addresses the growing need for improved productivity, while delivering superior fuel efficiency, ease of operations and maximum uptime. It reflects our commitment to understanding evolving market requirements and developing advanced solutions that drive long-term business growth for our customers.”

In terms of performance, the LPT 812 comes with 4SPCR diesel engine, producing 125hp and 360Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed gearbox and a booster-assisted clutch for smooth gearshifts. The truck comes with parabolic front suspension with an anti-roll bar, full S-Cam air brakes and tilt & telescopic power steering.

Tata Motors is providing a 3-year/300,000 km warranty as part of its aftersales assurance.

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