Ayush Lohia with the newly launched Youdha EPOD

Lohia Auto has launched the Youdha EPOD at INR 270,000, marking its maiden entry into the competitive L5 electric vehicle segment.

The newly launched EPOD is equipped with a 6-kilowatt motor delivering 50 Nm of torque and is powered by an 11.8 kWh LFP battery. It offers a certified range of 227km on a single charge (upto 180-190km of real-world claimed range) and gets dual driving modes – City and Boost. Built with Indian road conditions in mind, the EPOD also features a 300mm water-wading capacity and a ground clearance of 155-160mm. It also gets an auxiliary battery at the rear which helps the primary battery ‘wakeup’ for a start. 

At present, Lohia Auto’s manufacturing facility in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, has an installed annual capacity of 100,000 units. Through passenger and cargo EVs, the company targets a revenue milestone of INR 10 billion by 2030.  

Ayush Lohia, CEO, Lohia Auto, said, “The Youdha EPOD reflects values of sturdiness, reliability, aspiration and affordability. It is meant to be sold to drivers, fleet owners and entrepreneurs, reflecting success and independence that is driven by the future. We are not just offering a vehicle – we’re offering economic empowerment.”

To begin with the electric autorickshaw will first be rolled out in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam, with a phased expansion planned over the coming quarters. The geographies are said to be chosen on the basis of high three-wheeler usage density, high EV adoption potential and a quickly growing base of self-employed drivers seeking efficient mobility solutions.

In line with the above, he spoke about the epod blending robust performance with aspirational identity while keeping the driver’s needs at the centre, reflected in Yodha’s tagline “Chalao Aan Se, Kamao Shaan Se (Drive with victory, earn with pride).”  

CASE Construction Equipment, a brand of CNH, has inaugurated new premises in Faridabad within the National Capital Region (NCR) to expand its customer support and service infrastructure.

The 6,000 sqft facility features double the parts storage capacity of the previous setup, a workshop capable of servicing 10 to 12 machines simultaneously and a dedicated equipment display area showcasing four CASE machine models.

The facility will serve customers across northern India, supporting parts availability and machine maintenance operations. During the inauguration event, which was attended by approximately 40 customers, the company completed two machine handovers and three parts invoicing transactions.

CASE has maintained operations in Faridabad since 2018, when it opened its first company-owned, company-operated showroom in India in the city.

Ravindra Ashtekar, Head of Network Development, CASE Construction Equipment, said, "NCR is an important market for construction equipment, with demand shaped by ongoing infrastructure development and a diverse range of customer requirements. Strengthening our presence in the region is therefore an important part of our efforts to remain accessible to customers and provide dependable support. The new premises bring together enhanced parts storage, workshop capacity and a dedicated machine display area, enabling us to further strengthen our service capabilities and customer engagement."

JBM Electric Vehicles has launched its all-electric city bus, the ECOLIFE e12, at Singapore Urban Mobility Week 2026. The vehicle was unveiled by Dr Shilpak Ambule, High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Singapore, alongside Nishant Arya, Chairman of JBM Electric Vehicles. The launch marks the first introduction of an electric bus in Singapore by an Indian manufacturer.

The ECOLIFE e12 features an aluminium monocoque body structure and incorporates an Intelligent Transport System compliant with Singapore regulatory standards. The vehicle is equipped with telematics for vehicle health monitoring, an Advanced Driver-Assistance System (ADAS), forward collision warning systems, lane departure warnings, pedestrian and cyclist collision detection, blind-spot monitoring, driver drowsiness detection, a 360-degree camera and a fire detection and suppression system.

To support its regional operations, JBM Electric Vehicles has established its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore to handle sales, marketing, aftersales and operational activities. The company maintains an annual production capacity of 20,000 buses at its manufacturing facility in India and holds an order book of 10,000 electric buses for global deployment over the next two years.

Nishant Arya, Chairman of JBM Electric Vehicles, said, "Our mission is to decarbonize public transport by creating new and sustainable global benchmarks. At JBM EV, we believe that the future of green mobility lies in creating vehicles that seamlessly blend innovation, sustainability and user-centric design. Our electric mobility solutions are not just about reducing carbon footprints, they are about elevating the quality of life for individuals and communities by making transportation smarter, safer, and more accessible. We believe in the power of partnerships and collaboration to continuously improve, listening to the needs of our customers to develop solutions to address their pain points. We constantly evolve to provide new ideas and solutions in the e-mobility world. We invest to better support our customers by thinking global and acting local in meeting the challenges of today and tomorrow."

Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) has partnered with Daimler India Commercial Vehicles to launch a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at training and certifying 240 Heavy Commercial Vehicle drivers across Assam, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh.

The programme focuses on expanding the pool of commercial vehicle drivers, improving road safety standards, and providing employment opportunities for candidates.

Under the implementation agreement, 60 candidates in each of the four states will participate in a residential training programme featuring classroom instruction, practical driving and simulator learning.

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles is providing training, residential facilities, meals, licensing support, assessments, certification, insurance and impact studies. ASDC will oversee industry linkages and placement support for certified drivers, alongside conducting three months of post-placement follow-up to track employment retention rates.

Vinkesh Gulati, Chairperson, ASDC, said, "Skilled commercial vehicle drivers are essential to India’s logistics network and economic growth. Skilling for road safety must be an integral part of their preparation, equipping drivers with defensive driving techniques, an understanding of traffic rules and the ability to handle heavy vehicles responsibly. Through this partnership with Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, we aim to prepare 240 young people for professional driving careers by combining practical training, recognised certification and employment assistance. Our goal is to create livelihood opportunities while developing competent, safety-conscious drivers who contribute to safer roads for everyone."

Torsten Schmidt, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said, "At DICV, we believe drivers are the backbone of India's economy, keeping goods moving and communities connected across the country. As the transport sector evolves, professionally trained, safety-conscious drivers are more important than ever. Through this initiative with ASDC, we are investing in skills that not only improve employability but also foster a culture of responsible driving and road safety. By equipping aspiring drivers with the right knowledge, practical expertise and a safety mindset, we are helping build a stronger logistics ecosystem while contributing to safer roads and a more resilient nation."

John Deere India has sold over 100,000 tractors in India within a single Deere fiscal year, marking an operational milestone in its domestic business.

The achievement reflects the expansion of farm mechanisation across Indian agriculture and the adoption of the company's equipment across varied agro-climatic conditions and crop applications.

In addition to serving domestic requirements, John Deere's Indian operations act as an export hub, supplying tractors and machinery from India to over 110 countries. The company has maintained an operational presence in India for more than 28 years, supported by tractor manufacturing facilities in Pune and Dewas, engineering and enterprise technology centres in Pune, IT hubs in Pune and Bengaluru, parts distribution centres in Nagpur and Indore, and financial services operations in Pune.

Rajesh Sinha, Managing Director and Country Manager of John Deere India, and Strategic Advisor to the President, Construction & Forestry Worldwide, said, "Selling more than 100,000 tractors in a year is not just a business milestone; it is a reflection of the confidence that Indian farmers and channel partners place in John Deere. We remain committed to supporting farmers with reliable equipment, advanced technology and solutions that help improve productivity, profitability and sustainability."