The SAEINDIA International Mobility Conference (SIIMC 2022), the tenth edition of the Society of Automotive Engineers INDIA’s (SAEINDIA) flagship event, kicked-off on Wednesday, which is being hosted at Bengaluru, India. The three-day event will bring together the mobility ecosystem, with a phygital event to be held between 12 October to 14 October, 2022.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Sustainable Multi-Modal Mobility Ecosystem”, which takes forward SAEINDIA’s commitment on advancing and promoting mobility engineering. Dr Murugesh Nirani, Minister of Large and Medium Industries, Government of Karnataka, was the chief guest of the inaugural session. Along with the inaugural session, there was also an exclusive press meet.

Sharing his thoughts on sustainable multi-modal solutions, Mahesh Babu, SIIMC 2022 Conference Patron, and CEO at Switch Mobility India, said, “A robust mobility framework is the need of the hour to mitigate the impact of growing emissions and rapid urbanisation. Sustainable multi-modal solutions will help de-carbonise 100 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030. SIIMC 2022 is a platform where all three stakeholders – the government, the industry and the communities have come together to make sustainable multi-modal mobility a reality.”

How is SIIMC 2022 different?
At the press meet, K Venkataraj, Deputy Director General, SAEINDIA, put across that with the tenth edition of the conference, each edition enhances itself. “This is because the transportation sector has gone through so much of transformation,” he remarked and continued, “We are actually living through the mobility sector transformation era. In order to address the present-day challenges, SAEINDIA’S duty is to bring in experts to the knowledge-takers and knowledge-givers. It’s a K2K business we are in. So, we bring in worldwide experts, who present it in terms of number of papers.”

All for the need for sustainability
Munirathinam Dhananjayan, Chair-Organising Committee, Founder and MD of Focus Group, said that the SIIMC 2022 three-day event will see over 700 mobility experts, including industry leaders and professionals from research and development, manufacturing, and services come together and network under one roof. “The key highlight of the tenth edition of the SIIMC 2022 is going to be the presentation of more than 180 papers and 543 abstracts on engineering innovations, with a focus on promoting sustainable and multi-modal mobility in the country. SIIMC 2022 will see a host of panel discussions and individual presentations, putting the spotlight on trends and innovations shaping the future of mobility,” he mentioned.

Some of the key sessions of the conference will see speakers coming together and discussing themes, states SAEINDIA. Some of these themes include the role of the automotive industry in meeting the challenges of global warming, the design and development of low cost electric microcars for urban commuting, edge-computing for multi-modal and intermodal mobility, building globally connected car platforms – unearthing complexity, balancing energy efficiency, driving excitement and comfort in battery electric vehicles, and if battery swapping is a viable alternative to accelerate the electric vehicle adoption in India.

Talking about the focus areas and theme of the SIIMC 2022 conference, Venkataraj said, “This year’s conference theme, “Sustainable Multi-Modal Mobility Ecosystem”, resonates well with the present-day reality, where mobility is considered to be playing a big role in achieving sustainable development by promoting goals, like a clean and green environment and equitable livelihood.”

Venkataraj went on to assert, “We are in a very critical and early stage of production of sustainable solutions in mobility. Which is why, this year’s conference is going to help technocrats, stakeholders, etc, where they can learn from one another about what is happening in other countries. This way, India and other nations can gain knowledge from this conference.”

Additionally, while at the event, Suhas Gopinath, CEO, Globals Inc., inaugurated TechHive, claimed SAEINDIA. TechHive is a one-stop shop for start-ups to showcase their products and services to the global and Indian automotive market. It works towards facilitating networking and supporting new business opportunities, by bringing together start-ups, the automotive industry and investors.

The government’s role
When asked about the Government of India’s initiatives to set up multi-modal logistics parks across the country, Rashmi Urdhwareshe, President, SAEINDIA, cited that the government is addressing this in multiple ways. “One is improving the infrastructure by way of private connectivity,” she informed and went on, “The second is working on efficient goods transformation – we have even seen in one of the presentations how important it is to address goods transportation across the country. The third initiative is to look at greener solutions – not at just electrification but others, too, like LNG for example, which has great opportunity.”

What else to expect at the conference
SIIMC 2022 will see panel discussions that will be led by industry experts and researchers. As per SAEINDIA, the speakers will be from India’s leading automotive and technology organisations, as well as science and engineering institutes. The key organisations participating in the conference include Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Volvo, Ashok Leyland, Bosch, Indian Oil Corporation and Indian Institute of Science.

According to SAEINDIA, C V Raman, CTO at Maruti Suzuki, Vijay Nirani, Managing Director at MRN Group, Vinay Harne, CTO at TVS Motors, Brian McMurray, President at General Mortors, Korea, Dr Sri Srinath, President at SAE International and Prashant Doreswamy, President at Continental Automotive India are some of the prominent industrialists who will be delivering various sessions at the conference.

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Ashok Leyland introduced two advanced engine families designed for the off-highway and industrial sectors at EXCON 2025. The company, a prominent commercial vehicle manufacturer under the Hinduja Group, revealed its new P15 and H4 Unipack engines, both fully meeting the rigorous CEV Stage V emission standards. These powertrains are built for durability, high performance and operational efficiency.

The P15 engine, available in 49 and 55 horsepower options, suits compact equipment like skid-steer loaders, forklifts and mini compactors. Its lightweight and compact architecture provides substantial pulling power alongside lower fuel usage. This platform offers versatility through a high-speed non-emission variant for faster cycle times and a CNG option for cleaner energy needs.

Engineered for more demanding roles, the H4 Unipack series delivers 55 and 74 horsepower for applications such as backhoe loaders. It is built to endure challenging environments, featuring reliable cold-start capability and maintained performance at altitudes reaching 5,500 metres, all while complying with strict emission regulations.

Beyond these core engines, Ashok Leyland displayed a broader portfolio of innovative solutions at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre event. This included the heavy-duty 380 horsepower A6 Series CRS Engine and the future-focused H6 Series, which features hydrogen and flex-fuel capabilities. The exhibition also highlighted a 133 horsepower H6 engine, a diesel genset, a compact exhaust after-treatment system and simplified airless DEF tank solutions. These introductions underscore the company’s dedication to pioneering engineering and tailored customer solutions, manufactured in world-class facilities aligned with global quality benchmarks.

Amandeep Singh, President – LCV, International Operations, Defence & Power Solutions, said, "Our customers need solutions that keep their operations running smoothly and cost-effectively. The new P15 and H4 Unipack engines deliver higher power, better fuel efficiency and proven reliability. This launch strengthens our commitment to innovation and supports India’s ‘Make in India’ vision."

Sathyanandan M, Head – Power Solutions, said, "Our engineering expertise continues to drive innovation in the industrial engine space. We understand the challenges faced in the construction and industrial sectors. These new engines are versatile, durable and easy to integrate across various equipment categories. Our aim is simple: to help businesses work smarter and achieve more with solutions they can rely on."

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Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has launched a 19.5 tonne front engine bus chassis called the BB1924. Designed specifically for India's rapidly expanding intercity passenger transport segment, the bus will suit the needs of operators seeking higher payload capacity, lower operating costs and enhanced passenger comfort. 
Entering a bus market that is valued at USD 51.09 billion and expanding at 5.36 percent CAGR through 2030, the new bus chassis will be available across BharatBenz's extensive network of 398 authorised touchpoints across India, ensuring convenient access and pan-India delivery support. 
To make acquisition seamless, BharatBenz has partnered with 15 plus leading banks and NBFCs including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Bajaj Finserv, offering competitive financing with interest rates starting at 8.5 percent per annum and flexible EMI tenures up to five years. DICV's commitment regarding the bus extends well beyond the point of sale through industry-leading after-sales support with every BB1924 bus chassis backed by a comprehensive six-year or 600,000 km powertrain warranty and 24x7 roadside assistance across the country. 
The company is guaranteeing 95 percent parts availability within 24/48 hours through its robust localised supply chain, minimising downtime and ensuring operational continuity. Operators can further enhance their fleet management through predictive maintenance enabled by IoT-based telematics, while comprehensive driver and technician training programmes are conducted in regional languages ensure optimal vehicle performance. 
Commenting on the launch, Andamuthu Ponnusamy, Head of Bus Business, DICV said,
“The BB1924 represents a paradigm shift in how we think about intercity mobility. By combining advanced safety features, industry-leading localization, and a focus on total cost of ownership, BharatBenz sets a benchmark for value and reliability in intercity mobility. Our extensive field trials with leading operators across routes like Mumbai-Pune, Delhi-Jaipur, and Chennai-Bangalore have demonstrated significant reduction in total cost of ownership compared to existing solutions.

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Solis, the flagship brand of International Tractors (ITL) has launched the Solis JP 975, which it said is developed on an entirely new technology platform.

The JP 975 is the first model in the new JP series and is powered by JP Tech 4-cylinder engine, which delivers up to 10 percent higher torque, peaking at 205 Nm.

This engine is paired with India’s first 15F + 5R Epicyclic Transmission in the segment, alongside side-shift gears for smoother handling and a minimum of five optimal working speeds suitable for every major application.

The tractor’s Smart Shuttle system ensures quick, jerk-free directional changes, enhancing operator efficiency in field and loader work. A ladder-type chassis ensures stability, lower vibration and reduced noise, which is crucial for longer working hours.

Raman Mittal, Joint Managing Director, International Tractors, said, “The launch of the advanced Solis JP 975 marks a decisive step in our mission to bring next-generation tractor technologies to Indian farmers. The JP 975 is the first model in our completely new JP series, designed on a future-ready platform that integrates intelligent engineering with the evolving needs of the progressive Indian farmer. With the powerful JP Tech 4-cylinder engine and India’s first 15F+5R transmission in its class, the JP 975 sets a new benchmark in power, comfort, and application versatility. Over the next 12 months, we will be introducing a series of advanced tractors built on this platform to unlock greater efficiency and productivity for our farming community.”

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European commercial vehicle major Traton and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed a EUR 500 million long-term loan agreement at favourable terms to support the Traton Group's research and development for the Traton Modular System (TMS).

The TMS is a global, cross-brand modular platform designed to harmonise vehicle development and production across Traton brands like Scania and MAN. Its standardised interfaces allow for economies of scale, reduce costs and enable specific solutions for customers. The system promotes scalability, cost efficiency and flexibility while supporting innovation and sustainability.

This funding is intended to drive the transformation of Europe’s heavy-duty vehicles sector and supports the goals set out in the European Green Deal, including making transport cleaner and helping manufacturers meet carbon reduction rules.

Dr. Michael Jackstein, CFO and CHRO, Traton Group, said, “The partnership with the European Investment Bank is a major milestone in Traton Group’s financial strategy and underlines our strategic direction and innovative strength. By further diversifying our financing access, we are ensuring the financial stability and flexibility needed to drive innovation and support our customers throughout the industry’s transition to a more electrified and sustainable future.”

Nicola Beer, Vice-President, European Investment Bank, said, “Investing in sustainable mobility and cutting-edge digitalization is vital for Europe’s long-term competitiveness. By financing industry leaders like Traton, the EIB ensures that European innovation translates into real-world impact – creating high-quality jobs, reinforcing resilient supply chains and driving the continent’s leadership in the green transition. This agreement unlocks momentum for the Group to drive industry transformation, marking a decisive move in the shift to scalable, digital, and electrified mobility solutions for Europe and beyond. Together, EIB and Traton are charting a course towards more sustainable, digitally integrated transport ecosystems – reinforcing Europe’s industrial leadership for generations to come.”

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