Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), the world's largest tractor company by volume, is selling its entire stake in its wholly-owned Finnish subsidiary, Sampo Rosenlew Oy, to Tera Yatirim Teknoloji Holding Anonim Sirketi (TERA). The agreement was executed via a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA).

Upon completion of the transaction, Sampo Rosenlew will cease to be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra.

This divestiture marks a strategic move for Mahindra & Mahindra, aligning the company's focus with opportunities that are best positioned to deliver long-term success.

Sampo Rosenlew, which became part of the Mahindra group in 2016, has played a significant role in advancing Mahindra’s capabilities. According to the company statement, some of the technologies developed by the Finnish firm have been ‘instrumental’ in building Mahindra’s farm machinery capabilities.

By transferring ownership to TERA, Mahindra believes it is empowering Sampo Rosenlew to pursue new pathways for innovation and growth. The move is expected to allow the manufacturer to build upon its rich heritage and deep understanding of the Finnish and European markets under new ownership.

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Montra Electric eM&HCV, the electric commercial vehicle brand of the Murugappa Group, made a significant stride in India’s clean mobility transition today with the launch of its new 55-tonne electric truck – the Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT.

The unveiling took place at the company’s new eM&HCV manufacturing facility in Manesar, Haryana. The event also marked the inauguration of India's first all-women monitored, fully Automated Battery Plant and a new eM&HCV conveyor line equipped with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs).

The new Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT is designed for long-haul freight and will be available in two variants: one with a standard fixed battery pack and another offering a battery-swapping option. The fixed-battery variant is priced at INR 11.5 million (ex-factory).

The most crucial announcement was the commercial launch of the 'Battery Swap' solution for the Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT and the existing 6x4 TT models. This technology aims to tackle one of the primary hurdles in commercial EV adoption: charging downtime. The company claims the swap process takes less than 6 minutes, a stark contrast to the over one hour required for conventional fast charging.

The battery swap station boasts a 7+1 configuration and advanced automation, built to handle over 160 swaps per day at peak utilisation. Its drive-through design allows tractor-trailers to move in and out seamlessly, enhancing operational efficiency for large fleets.

The new 55-tonne e-truck is powered by a 282 kWh LFP battery, delivering 380 HP and 2000 Nm torque, with a claimed range of nearly 198 km on a single charge under standard test conditions. The vehicle features a 6-speed AMT transmission and is backed by an extended 10-year/900,000 km AMC contract, including a 95 percent uptime guarantee.

M A M Arunachalam (Arun Murugappan), Chairman, Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility), said, "At Montra Electric, we are building products and services that directly address the biggest hurdles in commercial EV adoption. With innovations like battery swapping for heavy-duty trucks and purpose-built platforms across segments, we are making clean mobility seamless, reliable and economically viable for fleet operators. This approach strengthens our vision of building a full-spectrum sustainable mobility ecosystem. Each step we take is designed to accelerate India’s shift towards cleaner logistics, ensuring that sustainable mobility becomes the norm rather than the exception."

The expansion builds on the success of Montra Electric’s first heavy-duty electric truck, the 6x4 TT, which has already clocked over 12 million kilometres in two years.

Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility), said, “It is a milestone in Montra Electric’s journey of putting India firmly on the global map of sustainable mobility with the introduction of battery swapping technology. Launch of the Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT, in one of the largest industry segments, demonstrates our commitment to innovation, localisation and sustainability.”

“All the new additions to our manufacturing facility, automated battery plant, battery swap technology and the conveyor line integrated with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), will collectively unlock greater efficiency, reliability and localization. These advancements position India to take significant strides in driving innovative, technology-led, clean freight solutions. With the government’s thrust through initiatives like the PM E-DRIVE scheme, the adoption of e-trucks is set to accelerate rapidly,” added Gupta.

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In a major move to advance sustainable logistics, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has launched India's first fleet of heavy-duty electric trucks with swappable batteries.

The initiative, flagged off by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, establishes JNPA as the country's port with the largest electric vehicle truck fleet. The launch event also included the commissioning of a heavy-duty battery swapping station and a significant signing ceremony.

The induction of these state-of-the-art EV trucks marks a pivotal step in JNPA's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. The port authority has set an ambitious goal to convert 90 percent of its internal fleet of approximately 600 heavy trucks to electric power by December 2026. The initial rollout includes 50 trucks, with plans to expand the fleet to 80 by the end of the year.

During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between JNPA and the Isaac Centre for Public Policy (ICPP) at Ashoka University, Delhi. This collaboration aims to create a standardised framework for port authorities to determine tariffs, using both cost and port benchmarking for various cargo types.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised the wider impact of the initiative. "When JNPA takes a decisive step in electrifying its fleet of logistics vehicles, it sends a message that India's ports are ready to embrace the future, ready to pioneer practices that will set benchmarks for sustainability, efficiency, and innovation," he stated. Sonowal also noted JNPA's consistent achievements, including its recent ranking among the top 25 global ports in the World Bank's Container Port Performance Index (CPPI).

Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairperson of JNPA, and CMD, VPLL, highlighted the initiative as a ‘paradigmatic leap’ toward a cleaner, greener future for port operations. "As custodians of India's largest container port, it is incumbent upon us to embrace innovation that reconciles economic dynamism with ecological responsibility," he said.

This project is a key component of India's broader logistics transformation, aligning with the PM Gati Shakti initiative and the National Logistics Policy (NLP). By deploying these EV trucks, JNPA is:

• Demonstrating alignment with India's national energy transition goals, particularly the commitment to achieve a net-zero target by 2070.
• Supporting the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) by showcasing a commercial-scale adoption of EVs in a high-throughput logistics environment.
• Reducing emissions, particulate pollution, and noise within the port.
• Establishing a model for other major and non-major ports in India to follow.

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  - Nandan Bhojraj September 26, 2025 15:38 PM

  Heartiest congratulations to Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal and Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairperson of JNPA, and CMD, VPLL for a environment saving Initiative! Heartiest congratulations to EIM - Energy in Motion- a great EV trucks company with Swappable batteries! EIM is India's most efficient and latest technology battery swappable truck company! Nandan Bhojraj BE MBA

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Swedish commercial vehicle major Scania India is reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market with the launch of the Super heavy-duty (HD) truck.

The introduction of its globally successful product range, the company said, will provide 10 percent better fuel savings compared to its predecessor’s, along with lower operating costs, reduced emissions, higher uptime and better earnings.

The Super truck features a new gear box that delivers torque ranging from 2800 Nm to 3800 Nm, smoother gear shifts and longer component life. Furthermore, the company has further optimised its fuel unit, with the Scania Super tank offering upto 97 percent fuel usability, which means longer drive time.

Silvio Munhoz, Managing Director, Scania Commercial Vehicles India, said, “Super is built around what matters most to you – over 10 percent fuel savings, higher uptime and clear cost advantages that strengthen your bottom line. To make sure you get the fuel benefit, we have designed a complete 360deg package that includes innovative service solutions along with flexible funding and financing options,”

The fully customisable Super truck is targeted at mining, construction and long-haul segments in India.

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Ashok Leyland, a flagship enterprise of the Hinduja Group and a prominent manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India, has expanded its retail network in Karnataka with the inauguration of a new light commercial vehicle (LCV) dealership in Bengaluru. This establishment, managed by the channel partner Sanvit Motors, represents the third such facility in the city and the 11th within the state. The new 3S facility, which encompasses Sales, Service and Spares, is strategically situated on Old Madras Road near the Hoskote Toll Gate. It features modern infrastructure, advanced tools and quick service bays designed to provide a superior ownership experience for customers.

The company’s LCV portfolio includes several models tailored to diverse market needs. The recently introduced SAATHI marks Ashok Leyland's entry into the sub-2-tonne segment. It is engineered with a 45 HP engine and boasts the largest loading area in its class, along with a payload capacity of 1,120 kg. For higher capacity requirements, the BADA DOST is built on a new platform with multiple variants, offering best-in-class power, mileage and payload to enhance profitability per trip. The DOST range, including the XL models, serves various market applications, while the PARTNER addresses the 4-tonne payload segment with fuel-efficient options. Complementing these goods carriers is the MiTR bus, available for both staff and school transportation, which emphasises fuel economy, safety compliance and passenger comfort.

This network expansion underscores Ashok Leyland's commitment to strengthening its presence in the light commercial vehicle segment, where over 600,000 of its vehicles are already in operation across India. The new Bengaluru facility aims to provide comprehensive support to this growing customer base.

Viplav Shah, Head – LCV Business, Ashok Leyland, said, “Karnataka has always been an important market for us. We are delighted to strengthen our presence here with the new dealership in Bengaluru. Our relationship with customers is built on trust, performance and shared growth. Our products are known for their superior mileage, reliability and performance. With a robust network and an industry-leading service retention, we take pride in the continued confidence our customers place in us. The opening of this new dealership marks another step in our commitment to delivering world-class products and unmatched service.”

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