Tata Motors Launches Ace Gold+ XL As Iconic ‘Chhota Haathi’ Turns 21
- By MT Bureau
- May 05, 2026
Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, has marked the 21st anniversary of its iconic Tata Ace by launching the all‑new Ace Gold+ XL. This milestone in last‑mile mobility introduces a thoughtfully evolved variant designed for higher payloads and longer body applications. The Ace Gold+ XL extends the legacy that originally reshaped small cargo movement in India while continuing to support a growing and diverse base of entrepreneurs.
To celebrate 21 years of the Chhota Haathi, Tata Motors has also rolled out a nationwide campaign titled Ikkis Saal Bemisaal. This initiative focuses on entrepreneurs who have built their livelihoods around the Ace. Customer‑centric measures include additional benefits of up to INR 21,000 for women entrepreneurs, reinforcing the company’s longstanding commitment to inclusive growth.
Engineered with an eight‑foot load body and a one‑tonne payload capacity, the Ace Gold+ XL enables higher cargo volume per trip to improve owner profitability. The vehicle uses advanced Lean NOx Trap technology, eliminating the need for Diesel Exhaust Fluid and thereby reducing operating complexity and maintenance effort. A 700-cc turbocharged diesel engine delivers 22 PS of power and 55 Nm of torque, offering a lower total cost of ownership, improved uptime, and dependable performance for demanding last‑mile logistics.
Supported by Tata Motors’ comprehensive small commercial vehicle ecosystem, the Ace Gold+ XL joins a portfolio that spans diesel, petrol, CNG, bi‑fuel and electric powertrains for payloads from 750 kilogrammes to two tonnes. The company’s Sampoorna Seva 2.0 lifecycle support programme, along with over 2,500 service and spares outlets and the Star Guru network of trained technicians, ensures assistance at every stage of ownership. Through this latest variant, Tata Motors continues to power entrepreneurial growth and strengthen last‑mile logistics across the country.
Pinaki Haldar, Vice President & Business Head – SCVPU, Tata Motors Ltd., said, “With the launch of the all‑new Ace Gold+ XL, Tata Motors advances the next chapter of India’s most transformative commercial vehicle – one that continues to evolve to meet the needs of modern intra‑city and last‑mile logistics. Extending the Ace’s relevance into higher‑load applications, the Ace Gold+ XL is designed to deliver greater efficiency, reliability, and pride of ownership for today’s entrepreneurs. Launched in 2005, the Tata Ace pioneered India’s four‑wheel small commercial vehicle category and redefined last‑mile logistics by enabling entrepreneurship at scale. The Ace’s enduring relevance is reflected in an industry‑first milestone: for 21 years, one Ace has been sold every 4.25 minutes – earning the trust, respect, and loyalty of over 2,600,000 owners across the country.”
- Prawaas 5.0
- BOCI
- Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India
- Prasanna Patwardhan
- Rotary International District 3080
- BOCI Naari
Prawaas 5.0 Concludes In Gandhinagar
- By MT Bureau
- July 18, 2026
Prawaas 5.0, an event focused on the public transport industry, concluded on 11 July 2026 at the Helipad Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The three-day event marked the 10th anniversary of the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI).
The event recorded 20,129 registrations and hosted 227 exhibitors, 20 startups and 120 speakers across 15 sessions. It saw participation from 31 states and union territories, as well as 11 countries.
During the event, two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed. The first, between Rotary International District 3080 and BOCI Naari, aims to support the skilling and employment of women as drivers. The second, between Rotary International District 3080 and BOCI, addresses the mental well-being of drivers and road safety.
Prasanna Patwardhan, President of the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), said, "As BOCI completes ten years, Prawaas 5.0 reflects how collaboration, innovation and progressive policymaking are shaping the future of passenger mobility in India. Over the past three days, the exhibition has brought together operators, policymakers, manufacturers, technology providers and entrepreneurs on a common platform to exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore solutions for the sector's evolving needs. The participation and enthusiasm witnessed this year reaffirm our collective commitment to building a safer, smarter and more sustainable passenger transport ecosystem that supports the vision of Viksit Bharat."
The Bharat Prawaas Awards 2026 honoured 72 recipients, including 50 BOCI Excellence Awards and 22 redBus People's Choice Awards. The event was organised by BOCI, hosted by the Akhil Gujarat Pravasi Vahan Sanchalak Mahamandal, and curated by MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications.
Tata Motors Partners UCO Bank For Commercial Vehicle Financing
- By MT Bureau
- July 14, 2026
Tata Motors, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UCO Bank for financing solutions.
Through this collaboration, customers will have access to interest rates, loan approvals and processing. The agreement includes loan-to-value funding options and repayment tenures. The partners will coordinate across branches and dealerships to reach customers in urban and rural markets.
Shashikant Kumar, General Manager & Zonal Head – Mumbai, UCO Bank, said, “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Motors Limited marks another significant milestone in UCO Bank’s commitment to delivering innovative and customer centric financing solutions. Through this strategic partnership, we aim to provide seamless, competitive and timely financing for TATA Motors commercial vehicles, enabling entrepreneurs, fleet operators and businesses to expand with confidence.”
Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Ltd., said, “We are pleased to partner with UCO Bank to further strengthen the financing ecosystem for our commercial vehicle customers. Access to organised and competitive financing is a key enabler for our customers' growth, and UCO Bank's strong nationwide presence makes them an ideal partner in this endeavour. This MoU reinforces our commitment to delivering end-to-end solutions, from world-class vehicles to organised financing that empower our customers to grow their businesses with greater confidence and convenience.”
At present, Tata Motors’ product portfolio ranges from 1-tonne to 55-tonne cargo vehicles and 10-seater to 51-seater mass mobility solutions. The company provides services through its Sampoorna Seva 2.0 initiative, the Fleet Edge platform and a network of over 4,500 sales and service touchpoints.
Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper Coach Launched At Prawaas 5.0
- By MT Bureau
- July 09, 2026
Volvo Buses India, a business unit of VE Commercial Vehicles, has unveiled the Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper coach at the Prawaas 5.0 exhibition in Gandhinagar. It is designed to combine seating and sleeper configurations in a single platform for intercity, tourism and pilgrimage routes.
The 15-metre coach accommodates 51 passengers, featuring 24 upper-deck sleeper berths and 27 lower-deck seats equipped with calf support. It is powered by the Volvo VEDX8 engine and utilises an I-shift transmission. The interior includes an integrated kitchenette, an onboard toilet, mobile charging points and entertainment systems.
S S Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “India's bus industry is evolving rapidly, with rising passenger expectations for premium travel experiences and operators seeking higher productivity and operational efficiency. At Volvo Buses India, we continue to shape the future of mobility by combining globally proven engineering with innovations that address evolving needs of the Indian market. The Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper expands our premium coach portfolio with a flexible solution that meets customer expectations for safety, comfort and luxury."
Suresh Chettiar, Executive Vice-President – Bus Division, VE Commercial Vehicles, added, "The Volvo 9600 platform has been widely appreciated for setting new standards in luxury, safety and passenger comfort. Building on that success, we are introducing the Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper to meet the growing demand for more flexible premium travel solutions. Featuring 24 upper sleeper berths and 27 premium lower-deck seats with calf support, the new coach enables operators to efficiently cater to both short- and long-distance routes while delivering an elevated travel experience for passengers."
The vehicle introduces safety features, including a 360-degree camera system and camera-based electronic rear-view mirrors. It also includes a tyre pressure monitoring system, a driver state monitoring system to detect fatigue and an alcohol interlock system. The coach is equipped with a telematics solution for real-time monitoring of vehicle location, performance and fuel consumption.
- Prawaas 5.0
- Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India
- BOCI
- Tata Motors
- VE Commercial Vehicles
- Daimler
- JBM
- Force Motors
- EKA Mobility
- Switch Mobility
- Sun Mobility
Prawaas 5.0 Exhibition Opens In Gandhinagar
- By MT Bureau
- July 09, 2026
The Prawaas 5.0 exhibition, an event focused on the public transport industry, has opened at the Helipad Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Scheduled from 9–11 July 2026, the exhibition is organised by the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) to coincide with its 10th anniversary.
The event, held under the theme ‘Towards Safe, Smart & Sustainable Passenger Mobility,’ brings together manufacturers, technology providers, and operators. Exhibitors include companies such as Tata Motors, VE Commercial Vehicles, Daimler, JBM, Force Motors, EKA Mobility, Switch Mobility and Sun Mobility, among others.
The exhibition showcases a range of technologies and solutions across the transport value chain, including electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, fleet management systems and digital platforms. The event aims to serve as a platform for industry stakeholders, including fleet owners, state transport undertakings and policymakers, to discuss developments in the sector.
The inauguration was led by Miraben Patel, Mayor of Gandhinagar and Kaushik Jain, MLA of Dariapur. Over the three-day programme, the exhibition will host product launches, conferences and business meetings intended to facilitate collaboration within the passenger transport sector.

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