Schmitz Cargobull, a leading European semi-trailer manufacturer, has acquired a 27.5 percent stake in Sub Zero Insulation Technologies (SZIT), a leading producer of refrigerated and dry freight truck bodies in India.

This strategic investment marks a significant step in the German company's global expansion and its entry into India's growing cold chain logistics sector. The agreement includes an option for Schmitz Cargobull to increase its shareholding in the future.

The partnership aims to combine Schmitz Cargobull's engineering expertise with Sub Zero's market presence to deliver advanced transport solutions.

Andreas Schmitz, CEO, Schmitz Cargobull, said, “India’s cold chain sector is evolving rapidly and Sub Zero has demonstrated strong potential to lead this transformation. By combining Schmitz Cargobull’s engineering expertise with Sub Zero’s market reach, we aim to deliver high-quality, efficient transport solutions across India and beyond. This is not just about business growth; it’s about enabling infrastructure that can help reduce the 30-40 percent of perishable produce lost annually due to inadequate cold-chain facilities - losses that also contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.”

Deep Khira, Founder & CEO, Sub Zero, said, “This partnership represents a pivotal moment for Sub Zero and for India’s cold chain ecosystem. With Schmitz Cargobull as our partners, we are entering a new era of quality, technology and international standards. By improving cold-chain efficiency, we can drastically cut wastage, boost farmer incomes, improve food availability and significantly lower the carbon footprint from decomposing perishables. We remain committed to our customers and our mission to deliver best-in-class transport solutions across India and emerging markets.”

Both companies are family-led businesses with a shared focus on innovation and customer-centric values. Sub Zero, founded in 2015, continues the Khira family's legacy in vehicle body building, which dates back to 1949. The company currently produces over 1,500 units annually and is a key supplier for major OEMs like Tata Motors, Mahindra and Ashok Leyland.

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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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Chennai-based commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland has inaugurated its new light commercial vehicles dealership in Jajpur, Odisha, which also marks the sixth such facility in the state.

The new facility is equipped with advanced tools, quick service bays and to service its extensive range of LCVs including – Bada Dost, Dost, Saathi, Partner and MiTR.

Viplav Shah, Head – LCV Business, Ashok Leyland, said, “Odisha has always been an important market for us, and we are delighted to strengthen our presence here with the new dealership in Jajpur. Our relationship with customers in this region has been built on trust, performance, and shared growth. The success of our Dost, Bada Dost and now the Saathi range, known for their superior mileage, performance, and reliability, reflects the confidence our customers place in us. With a strong network and an industry-leading service retention rate, we are thankful for the confidence our customers continue to pose in us. This new dealership is yet another step in our commitment to offering world-class products and unmatched service.”

At present, over 550,000 Ashok Leyland LCVs are plying across India.

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Mumbai-headquartered commercial vehicle major Tata Motors has launched its all-new 9-seater Tata Winger Plus at INR 2.06 million.

The Winger Plus is aimed at customers looking to offer a premium mobility experience for staff transportation and growing tourist demands. It features such as reclining captain seats with adjustable armrests, personal USB charging points, individual AC vents and spacious leg room. Built on a monocoque chassis, it comes with wide cabin and large luggage compartment, at the same time providing car-like ride and handling, along with robust safety.

Anand S, Vice-President and Head – Commercial Passenger Vehicle Business, Tata Motors, said, “The Winger Plus has been thoughtfully engineered to deliver a premium experience for passengers and a compelling value proposition for fleet operators. With its superior ride comfort, best-in-class comfort features, and segment-leading efficiency, it is designed to drive profitability while offering the lowest cost of ownership. India’s passenger mobility landscape is evolving rapidly—from staff transportation in urban centres to the rising demand for tourism across the country. The Winger Plus is built to serve this diversity, setting new benchmarks in the commercial passenger vehicle segment.”

The Winger Plus is powered by a 2.2L Dicor diesel engine, which produces 100hp of power and 200Nm of torque. It is equipped with Tata Motors’ Fleet Edge connected vehicle platform that provides real-time vehicle tracking, diagnostics and fleet optimisation.

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