Cooper Corporation Inaugurates A Tractor Plant In Satara, Maharashtra

Cooper Corporation Inaugurates A Tractor Plant In Satara, Maharashtra

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. 

Dongfeng Launches X9 Tractor In Vietnam

Dongfeng X9 - Vietnam

Chinese automotive major Dongfeng Motor Industry (DFMIEC) has launched the Dongfeng X9 fuel tractor in Vietnam.

The company showcased the X9 tractor alongside other models, including the X7 tractor, X3 tractor and various cargo trucks.

The event included technical briefings on the fuel performance and mechanical specifications of the X7 and X3 models. Currently, Dongfeng tractors rank among the top five CV players in the Vietnamese market. The introduction of the X9 is intended to expand the company's product matrix as the local government seeks to reduce logistics costs and transition towards high-quality transport infrastructure.

Wang Long, Chairman of DFMIEC, said, “Vietnam is one of the most dynamic and promising countries in the ASEAN region, with its industrialisation and urbanisation processes accelerating continuously, bringing broad growth space for the logistics industry. Driven by three major favourable factors – the expansion of infrastructure and logistics networks, the transfer of manufacturing industries and the rapid development of the digital economy, the market demand for logistics and transportation vehicles has maintained a steady growth. DFMIEC will move forward hand in hand with its partners to contribute to the development of Vietnam's transportation industry.”

The principal of the Vietnamese partner noted that the collaboration has reached a deeper level with the arrival of the X9. Dongfeng plans to continue its international strategy by investing in localised development and expanding its overseas footprint. The company intends to focus on resource investment to support the upgrading of the logistics sector in the ASEAN region.

Tamil Nadu SETC Inducts Volvo 9600 Coaches For Intercity Fleet

Volvo 9600 Coach Bus Flag Off

The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) of Tamil Nadu has launched its intercity transport service with the induction of 20 Volvo 9600 15-metre seater coaches. The fleet was flagged off by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin, at Island Grounds, Chennai.

The move is part of the state government's programme to upgrade public transport and provide long-distance travel options. The ceremony was attended by transport officials and government dignitaries, including the Minister for Transport, S S Sivasankar.

The Volvo 9600 coaches are manufactured at Volvo Buses India’s facilities and represent the current generation of the company’s bus range in the country.

The buses have a 51-seat layout designed for long-haul operations. Each unit is fitted with seats featuring calf support. It is engineered for ride quality, safety and operational reliability.

The coaches will operate on several major routes within Tamil Nadu and to neighbouring states, including:

  • Chennai to: Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Tiruppur, Salem, Thanjavur, Trichy, Nagercoil and Tiruchendur.
  • Inter-regional: Coimbatore–Bengaluru and Trichy–Tiruchendur.

Suresh Chettiar, Executive Vice-President – Bus Division, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “We are proud to partner with SETC and the Government of Tamil Nadu in strengthening Tamil Nadu’s intercity transport ecosystem with the induction of Volvo 9600 coaches. These buses are engineered to deliver world-class comfort, safety, and operational reliability, supporting SETC’s vision of providing a superior travel experience to passengers while raising benchmarks for public transport in Tamil Nadu.”

IVECO Delivers First Hydrogen City Bus To Lorient Agglomeration In France

Iveco GX 337 H2 LINIUM

IVECO BUS has delivered its first GX 337 H2 LINIUM hydrogen city bus to the Lorient Agglomeration in France.

The delivery is part of a project that will eventually see 19 hydrogen buses added to the IziLo Mobilités network fleet, with 10 further units scheduled for delivery during 2026.

The GX 337 H2 LINIUM utilises a 100-kW fuel cell powered by four hydrogen tanks, integrated with a 69-kWh FPT Industrial battery pack. The bus has a claimed operational range of 450 km, can accommodate up to 110 passengers and hydrogen consumptions is claimed to be around 20 percent lower than others. Furthermore, it also is equipped with a heat pump system for thermal management and also comes with IVECO ON services to monitor performance and ownership costs.

Fabrice Loher, President, Lorient Agglomeration and Mayor of Lorient, said, “With the introduction of this first hydrogen bus, Lorient Agglomeration reaffirms its ambition to lead a bold and transformative energy transition. This milestone marks the emergence of a local sector that fosters innovation and job creation and strengthens our collective ability to offer sustainable mobility solutions tailored to the daily needs of our residents.”

Giorgio ZINO, Head of IVECO BUS Commercial Operations in Europe, said, “We are proud to see Lorient host the first European delivery of our GX 337 H2 LINIUM hydrogen city bus, a tangible demonstration of our commitment to working alongside local communities for decarbonised collective mobility. This technology delivers a high-performance solution, combining autonomy, comfort and energy efficiency and plays an active role in building a more sustainable future.”

IziLo Mobilités serves 25 municipalities with a population of 207,000. The network operates over 140 bus and boat lines. The introduction of hydrogen technology is intended to support the transition to carbon neutrality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the fleet.

Caterpillar Introduces 2-Day Repair Commitment For Cat CVAs

Caterpillar - CVA

Caterpillar has announced that all Cat Customer Value Agreements (CVAs) will be eligible for an upgraded Services Commitment beginning in 2026. The programme is designed to provide equipment owners with specific timelines for maintenance and repairs.

Under the new terms, CVAs that include dealer labour will feature a Two-Day Repair commitment for common repairs. If the equipment is not returned to service within this timeframe, the customer receives a payment. Furthermore, the Parts Next-Day availability commitment covers maintenance, wear, and repair parts for pickup at a designated dealer location.

The CVAs provide 24x7 access to equipment health management tools, including VisionLink and Cat Inspect, to monitor asset insights. Agreements also include:

  • Support from local Cat dealers.
  • Delivery of Cat parts and fluids for planned maintenance at the customer's location.
  • Options for equipment coverage, portability, and transferability.

Ebban Clause, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Construction Industries Services Division, said, “Our new Services Commitment program with a CVA is all about offering the customer hassle-free, peace-of-mind equipment ownership. Customers dealing with downtime need to act fast, and they need parts to get the equipment up and running quickly. Our new Services Commitment delivers just that – Two-Day Repairs, Parts Next-Day, or the customer gets paid.”

The global rollout of CVAs with the upgraded Services Commitment will begin in the Q1 of 2026. The implementation will continue through 2027, depending on regional availability.