Hendrickson has introduced air and mechanical suspensions as well as axles for trailer applications in India. These include a severe duty suspension, TA 14 heavy duty air suspension, MS 16 heavy duty mechanical suspension and a single heavy-duty axle. Present in India since 2006 (by entering India as a joint venture with Tata AutoComp), the company has been catering to trailer and commercial vehicle manufacturers in the country. It is providing them medium and heavy-duty suspensions that are mechanical, elastomeric and pneumatic in nature. 

Establishing Watson & Chalin India Pvt Ltd in 2011 as a 100 percent subsidiary by incorporating Hendrickson India and Hendrickson Commercial Vehicle Systems India, the company is following a dual brand strategy of presenting premium products under the Hendrickson brand and cost-effective, locally manufactured products under the Watson & Chalin brand.  

With sales and distribution facilities and/or state-of-the-art manufacturing and research and development centres in countries like USA, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Austria, Romania, Poland, Turkey, India, China, Japan, Thailand, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Hendrickson has a rich legacy of 110 years in driving technology, design and innovation. 

Into integrated and non-integrated axles and other parts/systems for commercial vehicles predominantly, Hendrickson’s new products will be made in India as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Indian Government. They will offer a superior payload and operating efficiency, and have been designed and developed for the Indian terrain. Adhering to the company’s commitment for excellence, they have been designed and developed by keeping in mind an annual demand of about 40,000 trailers in the Indian market. 

The Hendrickson Severe Duty Suspension (HSDS) suspension for example, is a premium offering that can deliver rugged performance and outstanding reliability. Providing highest payload capacity and reliability, the suspension is available in capacities varying from 12-tonne to 14-tonne for the Indian market.  

The TA 14 heavy duty air suspension on the other hand, comes in top and low mount variants. It is designed for Indian application and road conditions and offers numerous options to customers based on the nature of the load or cargo they are carrying. Lightest suspension among its peers in the market, the TA 14 offer higher payload capabilities and is technologically advanced (includes friction and robotic welding).  

Designed for Indian and global markets, the single heavy-duty axle could be coupled with any air and tandem or tridem mechanical suspension system. It is manufactured using a high-strength alloy steel tube to ensure better durability and long service life. It uses friction welded spindles (a manufacturing practice only adopted by Hendrickson and Watson & Chalin in India for trailer axles) that result in low weight and superior product life. 

Rated at 16-tonne capacity, the MS 16 heavy-duty mechanical suspension is designed to meet the diverse needs for on-road and off-road applications. It provides superior load-carrying capability and is available in tandem and tridem configurations and features a heavy-duty leaf spring assembly. 

Japanese pick-up truck specialists Isuzu Motors India has topped the list for exporting the highest number of made-in-India commercial vehicles for FY2025 as per the latest data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

The company currently manufactures LHD (Left Hand Drive) and RHD (Right Hand Drive) models at its Sri City facility and exported 20,312 units in FY2025, up 24 percent YoY, as against 16,329 units for the same period last year. At present, Isuzu Motors India's made-in-India pick-up trucks are sold in the Middle East and Asia markets.

On the other hand, Tata Motors slipped to the second position with exports of 18,164 units, registering a flat growth, as compared to 17,677 units shipped last year.

Mahindra & Mahindra clocked a 38 percent YoY growth with export of 17,959 units, as against 13,011 units last year.

It is also important to note that FY2025 also marked a record milestone year for Isuzu Motors India, when it rolled out its 100,000^th unit from its Sri City facility.

Interestingly, a closer look at the top five commercial vehicles exporter reveals that cumulatively they sold 76,871 units, up 22.81 percent YoY, as against 62,591 units last year. This translates to an average yearly growth of 26 percent amongst them.

NueGo, a leading intercity electric bus brand by GreenCell Mobility in the country, has announced that it has integrated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology across its entire electric bus fleet consisting of over 275 e-buses.

The company began its operations in 2022 and focusses on providing clean mobility solutions along with integrating various industry-first technology in its fleet.  

The strategic move will see NueGo e-buses come with Automated Emergency Braking (AEB), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Driver Drowsiness Detection.

In addition, the company has already mandated driver breath analyser test, reserved ‘PINK’ seats for women, real-time GPS tracking, AI-powered driver monitoring system, rigorous safety & service training, 24x7 dedicated women’s helpline, high-definition CCTV surveillance, clean & hygienic mid-point stops and 24x7 command control centre to ensure a safer experience for its users.  

Devndra Chawla, MD & CEO, GreenCell Mobility, said, “At NueGo, guest safety is deeply embedded in our DNA. We were among the first in the industry to integrate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) across our entire fleet –setting a new benchmark for intercity travel. Our unwavering commitment is to deliver a journey that is comfortable, sustainable, and above all, exceptionally safe”

Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Bank to provide finance facilities for its M&HCV dealers.

Through the cooperation, Ashok Leyland's M&HCV dealers will have easier access to finance solutions, enabling them to improve company operations and effectively manage their working capital. Dealers may grow their operations with ease thanks to Indian Bank's customised financing alternatives, which offer better liquidity, quicker loan approvals and competitive interest rates. This partnership underscores Ashok Leyland's dedication to empowering its dealer network and promoting sustainable growth in the commercial vehicle sector by guaranteeing increased financial flexibility.

C Neelakantan, Head of Treasury and Direct Taxation at Ashok Leyland, and Saurabh Dalmia, Head of Cash Management at Indian Bank, signed the MoU in the presence of Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head of MHCV at Ashok Leyland, Ashutosh Choudhury, Executive Director, Roopali Singh, DGM-CMS Vertical, and Munash Dalal, AGM-CMS Vertical, who were representatives from Indian Bank.

Balaji K M, CFO, Ashok Leyland, said, “Ashok Leyland is delighted to partner with Indian Bank to offer customised finance solutions to our valued M&HCV dealers. With Indian Bank’s expansive network of 5,880 branches across India, we can cater to our dealers in every region. This strategic partnership will strengthen Ashok Leyland's market position. We remain committed to delivering exceptional experiences to our customers.”

Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head – MHCV, Ashok Leyland, said, “The strategic collaboration with Indian Bank will deliver exceptional financing solutions to our valued dealers, extending our market reach and reinforcing our commitment to innovation and partner success. This partnership will provide tailored financing solutions designed to meet the unique requirements of our dealers. We remain dedicated to fostering long-lasting relationship with our dealer network.”

Ashutosh Choudhury, Executive Director, Indian Bank, said, “Indian Bank is pleased to partner with Ashok Leyland to provide their dealers seamless and tailored financing solutions. This collaboration reaffirms our commitment to supporting the diverse financial requirements of businesses in the commercial vehicle sector. With Indian Bank’s best-in-class processes, we are confident that more dealers will benefit from this partnership, enabling them to scale their operations and drive business growth.”

Ashok Leyland, a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has inaugurated its 22nd Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) dealership in Uttar Pradesh. The new 3S facility located in Chunar, Mirzapur will further strengthen the company’s presence in North India.

The company’s LCV portfolio includes Saathi, Dost, Bada Dost, Partner and MiTR targeted for a wide range of customers and applications.

Viplav Shah, Head – LCV Business, Ashok Leyland, said, “Recognising immense potential of Uttar Pradesh as a key market for us, we are thrilled to strengthen our presence in the region. Our new dealership in Chunar (Mirzapur) would go a long way in reinforcing our presence in the state. The phenomenal success of our ‘Dost’, ‘Bada Dost,’ and the new ‘Saathi’ range underscores the robustness of our products - thanks to their best-in-class mileage, superior performance, and higher payloads. We take immense pride in our exceptional service retention levels, with nearly 70% of our customers returning to our dealer workshops even beyond the warranty period. This new dealership marks yet another milestone in our journey to provide the best possible experience to our valued customers.”