Lubricant and petrochemicals major, Shell, and Chinese commercial vehicle maker, FAW Jiefang have teamed up to launch the ‘Ace’ of green commercial vehicle called as the Starship 3.0 hybrid conceptual truck.

The truck – showcased at the recent IAA Transportation show in Germany – is currently on the tour of Europe. Combining the expertise of the two partners in terms of technology and innovation, the truck goes beyond ‘carbon reduction’ to set a new benchmark for the commercial vehicle industry by boosting energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and by transformation the description of a truck in China’s road transport sector.

As a powerful business tool, the conceptual vehicle achieved a fuel consumption figure of 23.3-litre per 100 km using Shell FuelSave Diesel and 22.7-litre per 100 km with Shell Diesel Renewable Blend.

It clocked these figures whilst fully laden and travelling on two expressways. Doing stints of up to 230 km on either expressway, the vehicle – highlighting significant fuel consumption savings over the fully laden truck in China of similar size and specs at 32.5-litre per 100 km on an average – the Starship 3.0 Hybrid achieved 140.3 tonne-km per litre with Shell FuelSave Diesel and 144.1 tonne-km per litre with Shell Diesel Renewable Blend.

This marked a 39 percent improvement over the fully laden Chinese truck of similar size and spec that does an average of 103.4 tonne-km per litre.

Achieving lower coefficient of drag through vehicle design, power systems and energy consumption, the Starship ensures that every drop of fuel is used to its fullest potential.

Reflecting the partnership between Shell and FAW Jiefang that dates back 10 years, the conceptual truck is the result of a joint research centre of the two that has to its credit initiatives like the ‘Rainbow Bridge’, a mechanism that is aimed at fostering innovation through regular talent exchanges and joint training programmes between them both.

Shell and FAW Jiefang have been jointly researching and developing long-life engine, transmission and axle oils. Their efforts until now have resulted in a new benchmark in China with a 100,000-kilometer oil change cycle for these key components.

In 2018, the two partners facilitated the introduction of a 200,000-kilometre extended oil change technology. Deepening their strategic cooperation, the two in 2023 expanded their focus beyond traditional sectors to include new energy and international markets.

Other than to highlight the nature of collaboration between Shell and GAW Jiefang, the conceptual truck, through its European tour, is highlighting China's industrial strength and commitment to environmental sustainability as well.

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Delhi-NCR-based electric commercial vehicle manufacturer Euler Motors has announced its revenue from operations reached INR 4.02 billion, up from INR 1.91 billion in FY2025, supported by a significant acceleration in sales volumes.

The company sold 7,576 electric vehicles in FY2026, up 181 percent YoY, albeit a low-year ago base. The Turbo EV 1000 gained substantial traction with 2,084 units sold, allowing the company to capture a 25.9 percent market share in this category.

In terms of segment-wise performance, the company sold 3,088 units of 3W cargo, 2,728 units of 4W cargo and 1,760 units of 3W passenger vehicles.

Growth was primarily driven by logistics and e-commerce operators focused on vehicle uptime and earnings potential.

For FY2026, total income reached INR 4.33 billion, which includes INR 310 million in non-operating income following a Series D fundraise. EBITDA margin improved from 119 percent in FY2025 to -62.9 percent in FY2026. Net loss for the period was INR 3.08 billion, which marks 61 percentage points reduction in losses as a percentage of revenue. Expenses was reduced to INR 1.84 per rupee of revenue, compared to INR 2.42 in the previous financial year.

During the fiscal, the total costs rose to INR 7.41 billion as the company invested in manufacturing and infrastructure: Material costs came at INR 3.56 billion, tracking the increase in sales volumes. Employee benefits rose by 40 percent to INR 1.04 billion to support headcount additions for aftersales and manufacturing.

Going forward, the company plans to expand its distribution and service network to over 200 touchpoints in FY2027. Euler Motors projects that volumes across its portfolio will grow by at least 40 percent YoY, with an increasing contribution from the 4W cargo EV segment.

Saurav Kumar, Founder & CEO, Euler Motors, said, “FY26 marks our transition from early adoption to early scale, with revenue more than doubling and EBITDA margins improving meaningfully as unit economics strengthen. While absolute losses have increased in line with our investments in scale, the underlying efficiency of the business has improved significantly. In 3W Cargo EV, we have built a strong foundation, with over 10,000 HiLoad EVs sold cumulatively. We are also expanding thoughtfully into the 3W passenger EV segment — focusing on understanding customer needs while shaping a differentiated value proposition. In the 4W cargo EV market, despite being a relatively late entrant, we are now seeing clear product-market fit. The Turbo EV1000 has validated that demand in this segment is real, scalable, and repeatable. Our focus now is to deepen this advantage — by expanding distribution, strengthening service infrastructure, and scaling manufacturing — to build a durable leadership position in India’s emerging electric commercial vehicle market.”

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Pune-headquartered automotive company Force Motors has introduced the new Force Traveller N Range, which includes specific applications for ambulances, school buses and delivery vans. This new series is designed to replace the current-generation Traveller entirely, with all future production transitioning to the new range. The Traveller currently maintains a segment share of over 70 percent in India.

The Force Traveller N Range features several upgrades intended to provide a more contemporary experience for drivers and passengers.

The commercial vehicle introduces a car-like cockpit featuring a digital instrument cluster and a 9-inch infotainment screen.

In terms of passenger comfort, it gets ergonomically designed seats, an updated HVAC system for improved cooling, and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels for a quieter cabin.

The exterior features a new front fascia with Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and LED turn indicators, as well as a redesigned rear. The company says the sheet metal structure has been re-engineered to reduce the number of body joints, improving structural integrity and build consistency.

In terms of performance, the Force Traveller N range is powered by the FM 2.6 CR engine, which complies with BS-VI Stage 2 emission norms. To assist fleet operators, the vehicles are equipped with two support systems:

• Force Care: This service package offers extended and parts warranties, roadside assistance and accidental repair support.
• iPulse: An integrated system that provides real-time vehicle tracking and diagnostic capabilities.

Force Motors says it has applied manufacturing processes and quality systems learned from its Urbania model to the new Traveller N Range, utilising advanced technologies such as robotics and automated door hemming. Bookings for the new range will open at dealerships across India starting in mid-May 2026.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, “The new Force Traveller N Range builds on the strong trust the Force Traveller has earned over the years, while making it more refined, capable, and better suited to today’s customer expectations”.

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Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the nation’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has expanded its presence in Odisha with a new light commercial vehicle dealership in Rourkela. This facility represents the company’s seventh LCV outlet in the state, reinforcing a nationwide distribution network that now exceeds 945 customer touchpoints. The product range available includes BADA DOST, DOST, SAATHI, PARTNER and MiTR.

The newly appointed channel partner, SteelEx India, operates a 3S facility covering sales, service and spares at Brahmani Tarang in Vedvyas, Rourkela. Strategically positioned to serve local demand, the site features 12 quick service bays alongside modern infrastructure aimed at delivering a superior customer experience.

With this inauguration, Ashok Leyland continues to strengthen its light commercial vehicle footprint in eastern India, leveraging a robust service backbone to enhance vehicle uptime and owner support in the Rourkela region.

Viplav Shah, Head – LCV Business, Ashok Leyland, said, “Odisha has always been an important market for us, and we are excited to further strengthen our presence in this region. 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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Pune-headquartered automotive major Force Motors has announced its strongest-ever annual financial performance in FY2026, driven by significant growth in the domestic market and improved operating leverage.

The company reported a 13 percent YoY growth in revenue at INR 91.67 billion, EBITDA at INR 15.93 billion, up 39 percent YoY and a net profit of INR 12.11 billion, up 51 percent YoY.

It attributed the growth to broad-based expansion across primary vehicle platforms, maintaining its dominant position in the van segment while doubling its presence in the premium mobility sector. Force Motors continues to remain a zero-debt company, highlighting a disciplined approach to capital allocation and financial prudence.

The company reported a 20 percent growth in overall domestic wholesales compared to the previous fiscal year. Performance across key platforms includes the Traveller maintaining a consistent 70 percent market share in the core van segment. Urbania recording over 100 percent growth, established as a leader in premium shared mobility.

Trax volume grew by over 70 percent, successfully expanding the company's reach into rural and semi-urban markets. While, demand for specialised vehicles strengthened through institutional and defence portfolio, fulfilling key orders for specialised applications for the Indian Armed Forces.

The record profitability is attributed to an improved quality of earnings and a more balanced product mix. Higher volumes allowed for better absorption of fixed costs, while a focus on higher-margin premium segments, such as the Urbania, bolstered the bottom line.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, “We have been a segment creator since our inception, and we are now pioneering and leading the premium shared mobility segment with Urbania’s strong presence, while platforms like Traveller and Trax continue to deliver scale and reach across markets. At the same time, our engagement with institutional and defence customers reflects the depth of our engineering capabilities and our ability to deliver in demanding and ever‑evolving environments.”

“FY2025–26 marks an unprecedented year in our journey, where consistent execution across quarters has translated into our strongest-ever financial performance. This has been driven by a clear focus on the segments where we believe we can lead and also create new segments, supported by improved operating leverage and a more balanced product mix. As we look ahead, we remain focused on building the business with consistency and discipline. Staying closely aligned to customer needs, while continuing to strengthen our product, technology and innovation capabilities, will remain central to how we approach the next phase of growth,” he added.

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