SWITCH Mobility Ltd has secured an order for 70 buses from Stagecoach, one of the UK’s leading bus and coach operators. The order consists of 10 SWITCH Metrocity 9.5 m electric buses, which will operate on Route W11 in London and 60 Slimline Solo 8.5 m, Euro 6 certified buses sold under the Optare brand, presently integrated into SWITCH Mobility. 

The Solo 8.5 m long buses will support Stagecoach in replacing part of their significant fleet of Solo buses across the country. The Metrocity products will go into operation in early 2024 and the Solo’s during the first half of 2024.

Equipped with the latest NMC battery technology, the SWITCH Metrocity is one of the most efficient electric buses in its class, that has been recently upgraded to deliver improved efficiency and increased range of up to 273.5 km. The Optare Solo is one of the UK’s most recognisable buses, with over 4000 produced till date. The slimline variant will be manufactured to Stagecoach’s exacting specification and provide seating for 28 people.

Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, SWITCH Mobility Ltd, said, ‘’We are delighted to continue to expand our relationship with Stagecoach. Stagecoach’s repeat order for the Metrocity electric bus, following the recent delivery of 20 buses in London, is testament to the efficiency and versatility of the Metrocity. Whilst our focus at SWITCH is on engineering and delivering the world’s most efficient electric buses, we recognise operators such as Stagecoach are continuing to look for ways to reduce the environmental impact and improve the efficiency of their fleet. For this reason, we have taken the decision to re-start production of our renowned Solo product and support Stagecoach in replacing part of their existing Solo fleet.”

Sam Greer, Chief Operating Officer, Stagecoach, mentioned, “We are pleased to be welcoming a further 70 low emission vehicles to our fleet which will help us with our sustainability targets of reaching zero emissions by 2050 and a fully electric bus fleet by 2035."

By adding 10 advanced Metrocity electric buses and 60 innovative Slimline Solo Euro 6 certified buses to their fleet, both companies show their dedication to improving public transportation efficiency. As these cutting-edge vehicles take to the roads in London and beyond, both companies pave the way for an evolving future of the transportation sector. This collaboration not only highlights Stagecoach's dedication to staying at the forefront of innovation but also underscores SWITCH Mobility's role in shaping the landscape of next-generation mobility.

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MAN Truck & Bus is adding an AI-supported assistant to its digital fleet management service – Perform. The new tool uses Perform's vehicle usage data and driving style analyses, alongside a knowledge database, to create performance analyses and recommendations for fleet managers.

Following a launch in Austria in spring 2025, the feature is now available to Perform customers in Germany, with other European countries set to follow.

The chat function allows fleet managers to formulate analysis requirements in everyday language. When asked questions such as ‘Which drivers have room for improvement?’ or ‘What recommendations can I give to drivers?’, the AI immediately provides evaluations and concrete recommendations that can be passed on to drivers.

Karl-Maximilian Strobel, Head of Product Management Services, MAN Truck & Bus, said, “Imagine you have a personal assistant who simplifies your everyday life and revolutionises it, like AI does when planning trips or shopping online. An assistant who saves you time and money and gives you new ideas. This is exactly the added value we are now bringing to fleet management with the Digital Fleet Assistant.”

The Digital Fleet Assistant is claimed to provide up to three times faster evaluation of the information. The AI analysis tool evaluates data, including driving behaviour, fuel consumption, use of assistance systems and technical information such as downtime and wear.

This data is linked to a continuously updated knowledge database containing training materials, technical manuals and practical experience. Fleet managers receive evaluations directly in the chat, including recommendations for action tailored to the fleet, such as tips for more economical driving.

Perform is one of MAN's used digital services. The service on the RIO platform accesses data from vehicle use in near real time, providing overviews of vehicle utilisation, driving style and the severity of transport tasks for individual vehicles or entire fleets.

Managers can use this information to draw conclusions about untapped efficiency potential or unnecessary vehicle wear and tear. The data is provided in a neutral and comparable format, enabling an assessment of driver and vehicle performance. Thanks to the interaction between Perform and the MAN Driver App, drivers can also access their individual performance data to improve their driving style independently.

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Tata Motors has announced strong commercial vehicle sales for Q2 FY2026, with total domestic and international sales reaching 94,681 units. This marks a substantial 12 percent increase compared to the 84,281 units sold in Q2 FY2025.

The surge was particularly pronounced in September 2025, which saw a 19 percent YoY increase with 35,862 units sold, up from 30,032 units in September 2024. The company's international business grew significantly with a massive 75 percent growth for the quarter.

Across the second quarter, several segments reported double-digit growth. Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) Cargo and Pickup grew 11 percent to 34,732 units in Q2 FY2026 (up from 31,399 units in Q2 FY2025). This portfolio saw exceptional performance in September 2025, recording a 30 percent YoY increase.

Intermediate and Light Commercial Vehicle (ILMCV) Trucks also performed strongly, with sales rising 15 percent to 16,845 units for the quarter. The heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) trucks segment posted a modest 5 percent growth, selling 24,056 units in Q2 FY2026. Passenger Carriers grew 5 percent for the quarter, reaching 11,428 units.

Overall domestic sales for commercial vehicles rose 9 percent to 87,061 units in Q2 FY2026, up from 79,931 units in Q2 FY2025.

Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, acknowledged the volatile market conditions but expressed optimism about the company's swift response and future outlook.

“Q2 FY2026 was a mixed quarter for the commercial vehicles industry, start marked by subdued market conditions and ending with a promising resurgence in demand. While July faced headwinds due to monsoon and August reflected cautious sentiment ahead of the GST 2.0 rollout, the onset of the festive season and lower GST rates from late September brought a good recovery in sales, bookings and sentiment," Wagh stated.

He further elaborated on the strategies that led to the strong September performance.

"Following the GST reduction announcement, we acted swiftly and decisively to capture the growth in demand—by enhancing product availability, sharpening our pricing strategy, and intensifying market activations. These initiatives helped us unlock demand across segments, making September our best-performing sales month in FY2026, driven by a strong 30 percent YoY growth in our SCV and PU portfolio led by the new launches, Ace Pro and Ace Gold+. Overall, in Q2 FY2026, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles delivered sales of 94,681 units, registering a growth of 12 percent over the same period last year. We continue to build strong differentiation for our expansive range of trucks that now offer higher power output of up to 320hp. With smart engineering and a relentless focus on operational efficiency, our trucks remain the preferred choice for fleet owners seeking better performance, higher profits and long-term value.”

Looking ahead, the company anticipates continued growth, driven by key economic indicators and product pipeline.

"Looking ahead, with the festive season underway, improving consumption, and the full impact of GST reforms yet to unfold, we anticipate a strong second half for FY2026. Construction, infrastructure and mining activities will gain momentum, further fuelling demand for trucks and tippers. With a robust pipeline of upcoming launches, and a richer, more customer-aligned product portfolio, we are well-positioned to accelerate this momentum and drive meaningful, broad-based growth across all commercial vehicles segments,” Wagh concluded.

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Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) has announced it will participate in the Japan Mobility Show 2025 (JMS 2025), set to run from 30th October to 9^th November 2025, at Tokyo Big Sight.

Under the theme ‘Future Together: A new era of trucks begins – run together with Fuso,’ the commercial vehicle manufacturer plans to showcase its vision for the future of transportation, focusing on advanced solutions to tackle current logistics challenges.

The centrepiece of MFTBC's exhibit will be the world premiere of the COBODI (Connected Load Body) concept, which will be featured on its all-electric light-duty truck, the eCanter.

Described as a unique 'smart body' and 'digital solution' concept, COBODI aims to revolutionise logistics by connecting human-centric body design with Wise Systems, an AI-based automated routing and dispatching solution. This integration is designed to optimise route planning and parcel loading, significantly reducing the burden on drivers, shortening unloading times and enabling more efficient fleet management. MFTBC plans to conduct demonstrations of the COBODI workflow at the show.

In addition to the COBODI concept, MFTBC's booth will feature:

• A World Premiere Vehicle: Details on a new concept vehicle will be announced at a later date.
• Fuso Services & Solutions Area: A display of various solutions supporting logistics efficiency and the transition for businesses to adopt EV trucks.
• Sustainable Future Activities: The company will host interactive activities, including a workshop to create keychains from recycled plastic and an AI chatbot for visitors to learn about carbon-neutral vehicles.

MFTBC’s participation underscores its push to introduce cutting-edge technologies to enhance the efficiency of commercial vehicles and logistics as the industry shifts into a new era.

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Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), the world's largest tractor company by volume, is selling its entire stake in its wholly-owned Finnish subsidiary, Sampo Rosenlew Oy, to Tera Yatirim Teknoloji Holding Anonim Sirketi (TERA). The agreement was executed via a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA).

Upon completion of the transaction, Sampo Rosenlew will cease to be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra.

This divestiture marks a strategic move for Mahindra & Mahindra, aligning the company's focus with opportunities that are best positioned to deliver long-term success.

Sampo Rosenlew, which became part of the Mahindra group in 2016, has played a significant role in advancing Mahindra’s capabilities. According to the company statement, some of the technologies developed by the Finnish firm have been ‘instrumental’ in building Mahindra’s farm machinery capabilities.

By transferring ownership to TERA, Mahindra believes it is empowering Sampo Rosenlew to pursue new pathways for innovation and growth. The move is expected to allow the manufacturer to build upon its rich heritage and deep understanding of the Finnish and European markets under new ownership.

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