Daimler Truck has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, Daimler Commercial Vehicles Manufacturing Indonesia (DCVMI), in the Cikarang Industrial Area. This significant IDR 500 billion (approximately USD 30 million) investment marks a major step in Daimler Truck’s regional expansion strategy, solidifying its long-term commitment to meeting the evolving mobility needs of Southeast Asia.

The expansive 15-hectare greenfield facility boasts an annual production capacity of 5,000 Mercedes-Benz trucks and buses. It's poised to become a central hub for vehicle assembly and distribution across key Southeast Asian markets, underpinning Daimler Truck's regional growth ambitions and strengthening Indonesia's commercial vehicle industry.

What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is its collaborative foundation, blending the precision of German engineering, the manufacturing prowess of India and the crucial market insights from Indonesia.

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), located in Chennai, will play a pivotal role by supplying high-quality Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits to the new Indonesian facility.

Satyakam Arya, Managing Director and CEO, DICV, said, "India remains a cornerstone of our global export strategy. Leveraging Indonesia for the ASEAN region is about expanding our reach, not shifting our focus. As DICV becomes further integrated into Daimler Trucks’ global manufacturing network, we will play a key role in building capabilities in Indonesia—transferring knowledge, developing talent, and strengthening the regional ecosystem. The integration of India’s advanced manufacturing capabilities into our Southeast Asian operations highlights our unified global approach. By combining German engineering excellence with India’s production strength and deep Indonesian market understanding, we are creating a robust platform for long-term success in the region."

Sankaranarayanan Ramamurthi, President Director, DCVMI, said, “This plant is not merely an addition to our infrastructure—it is a manifestation of our vision to make a tangible contribution to Indonesia’s economy, empower local communities and build a stronger industrial ecosystem. Each unit produced here reflects not only engineering excellence but also the spirit of collaboration and our confidence in Indonesia’s future. We are committed to continually creating job opportunities, innovating and contributing to growth in and for Indonesia.”

The opening of the DCVMI factory is a tangible realisation of Daimler Truck's ‘Bigger and Better’ vision. Beyond just expanding facilities, this move is set to enhance agility, streamline workflows, and improve the resilience of solutions offered to Indonesian customers. The company is committed to providing commercial vehicles that precisely meet local market demands, focusing on production efficiency, service reliability, and continuous innovation.

The DCVMI plant in Cikarang features an integrated manufacturing system for efficient production. It's equipped with a test track to simulate diverse road conditions and an advanced paint booth, both adhering to Mercedes-Benz's rigorous global manufacturing standards.

The facility will continue to produce popular Mercedes-Benz Axor Trucks models, including the 2528 CH, 4928 T, 4028 T, 4023 T, 2528 RMC, 2528 CX and 2528 C, as well as Mercedes-Benz bus chassis like the OH 1626 L and OH 1626 S, all specifically designed for the Indonesian market.

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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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