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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NEMBHARAT, a zero-commission ride-hailing platform, has formalised a welfare framework for its commercial driver partners. The scheme includes an INR 1.5 million insurance cover and an employment guarantee within the company's mobility ecosystem.

The insurance is designed to support drivers and their families in instances of accident, illness, or death. World Economic Mobility Limited (WEML), the operator of NEMBHARAT, stated the initiative aligns with the New Labour Laws of 2025 regarding social security for gig and platform workers.

To qualify for the insurance coverage, drivers must operate commercially registered vehicles and complete the National Mobility Star Training Programme. This training is part of a broader effort to standardise service quality across the platform.

NEMBHARAT is introducing non-ride monetisation channels to provide income stability. Drivers who can no longer operate vehicles will be offered roles in sectors linked to the platform, such as: tourism services, inter-city mobility and hospitality logistics.

Governed by the NARAYANIHITI Trust, NEMBHARAT operates on a prepaid, cashless system. The platform does not charge subscriptions or commissions to its drivers. This model is intended to provide clarity on earnings for drivers and predictable fares for passengers.

Dr Kanchi Sharma, Director and COO, WEML, said, “India’s labour laws have laid an important foundation for strengthening worker welfare. In line with this vision, NEMBHARAT aims to support driver partners by enabling financial protection and promoting income stability. As part of expanding earning opportunities beyond ride-based trips, NEMBHARAT is also introducing non-ride monetization channels for its driver partners. Drivers who are unable to continue operating vehicles will be offered alternative roles within sectors linked to the mobility ecosystem. These roles include work across tourism services, inter-city mobility support and hospitality logistics connected to the platform’s network.”

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German automaker Mercedes-Benz Trucks has announced a series of investments in its company-owned retail and service network (Own Retail), including the construction of a new commercial vehicle centre in Koblenz. The project is part of a broader strategy to increase the manufacturer's own retail presence by more than 60 percent by 2030.

The dismantling of the existing 1963 logistics hall at the Friedrich-Mohr-Strasse site will begin in spring 2026, with construction of the new facility scheduled for autumn 2026. The centre is expected to be operational by early 2028, offering 4,000 square metres of floor space for the sales and service of Mercedes-Benz trucks, as well as service for Mercedes-Benz and Setra buses.

To optimise land use, Daimler Truck has partnered with the Kestenholz Group. While Daimler Truck develops the southern portion of the site for heavy commercial vehicles, the Kestenholz Group will construct a facility for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and vans on the northern section.

The Koblenz workshop will include 3,000 square metres of technical space, featuring high-voltage workstations to support battery-electric models such as the eActros, eEconic and eCitaro. A specialised roof workstation will be installed to facilitate maintenance on bus batteries and truck cabs.

The facility also maintains a dedicated role in the defence sector, serving as the central hub for Mercedes-Benz truck spare parts for all German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) locations in Germany and specialising in military engine maintenance.

Stina Fagerman, Head of Marketing, Sales and Services at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said, “The truck business is characterised by a high level of complexity, intensive consulting requirements and strong customer relationships. Through our company-owned retail operations and locations, we maintain close dialogue with our customers and continuously develop products and services. That is why we are convinced that our Own Retail operations will continue to be decisive for our success in the future. We plan to expand our Own Retail network by more than 60 percent by 2030. The complete renewal of existing locations, such as now in Koblenz, also plays an important role in our strategy.”

Volker Huntrup, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Own Retail, Europe, added, “In addition to acquisitions in our European core markets, such as France, we continue to invest in Germany. The expansion of our manufacturer-owned sales network continues steadily. In doing so, we are consistently implementing our strategy.”

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Ashok Leyland has announced a partnership with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as an Official Sponsor for the upcoming IPL (Indian Premier League) season. The Ashok Leyland logo will appear on the front right chest of the CSK jersey.

The agreement continues a relationship between the Hinduja Group and the IPL franchise, following a 15-year collaboration with another group entity, Gulf Oil. The partnership was finalised at Ashok Leyland’s headquarters by Chairman Dheeraj Hinduja and MD & CEO Shenu Agarwal, alongside CSK Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and India’s 2026 U-19 World Cup-winning captain, Ayush Mhatre.

The event included the unveiling of the team's jersey for the 2026 season. Additionally, Ashok Leyland introduced a vehicle specifically designed for the ‘Whistle Podu’ fan base. This ‘Fan Bus’ is intended to facilitate fan engagement and transport during the tournament.

Dheeraj Hinduja, said, “We are delighted to join hands with the Chennai Super Kings, a team that embodies excellence, consistency, and a winning spirit. Through this partnership, we celebrate our shared values of resilience and high performance. We are proud to support a team that has brought immense pride to our home city.”

KS Viswanathan, Managing Director, Chennai Super Kings, added, “We are excited to welcome Ashok Leyland to the Chennai Super Kings family as our Official Sponsor. Ashok Leyland is an iconic brand with deep roots in Chennai and a legacy of excellence that mirrors CSK’s own journey. This partnership brings together two institutions built on performance, resilience, and a strong community connect.”

Shenu Agarwal, stated, “Our brand strategy has always focused on building strong emotional connections with our audience. This partnership is not just about a logo on a jersey—it is about being part of the journey of champions and engaging with millions of fans who value quality and reliability.”

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Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation has opened a new centre of competence in Chennai called the Fuso Technical Centre India. The development reflects the passion to drive the Fuso brand of commercial vehicles to new heights post the global development of separation of Fuso brand from the Daimler brand. Mitsubishi Fuso and Toyota’ Hino are now under Archion brand, which was announced in mid-2025. Archion as a separate entity – a new Japanese holding company formed by the merger of Daimler Truck's Mitsubishi Fuso and Toyota's Hino Motors – is set to launch on 1 April 2026. 
The development also reflects the role of the Chennai facility of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles in nurturing the Fuso brand since 2013. The facility has produced Fuso brand of commercial vehicles besides three other brands (BharatBenz, Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz) since 2013.  Against this backdrop, the new Fuso tech centre in Chennai has come up on a tight schedule and will have hundreds of new engineers among others. 
If this would beg to ask how the arrangement will be in the future and whether Fuso trucks will continue to be made in the Chennai facility, which is essentially a Daimer Trucks property, the fact is, the connection of Fuso trucks goes a long way with India and its commercial vehicle market. 
Since 2013, the Daimler Oragadam facility on the outskirts of Chennai has produced Fuso trucks for 100 percent export. It has been instrumental in changing the image of the Japanese commercial brand from one that would make light vehicles to the one that makes heavy-duty ones. 
 

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