Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has formally announced its participation in the Global Toyota Ekiden Relay Race 2024 to be held on 8 December at Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan. This year marks a milestone for TKM at the event because of the inclusion of 10 women participants in its 20-member team.

Participants from several TKM departments make up the 20-member team, which exemplifies the company's collaborative culture. Additionally, the team's equal representation of female players highlights TKM's continuous efforts to establish fair opportunities and acknowledge the critical significance of gender diversity. Toyota's philosophy that a healthy body and mind are essential to a better life and a productive workplace is reflected in the team's months of intense training, which included time trials and practice runs to improve their fitness, endurance and collaboration.

Originating in Japan, the Ekiden relay race represents cooperation, resiliency and unity – values that are fundamental to Toyota's culture. TKM has followed this custom since 2005 in an effort to motivate staff to put collaboration and health first. The women's squad consists of Meghana S Acharya, Kavana N R, Ranjitha K, B L Chaithra, Saritha, Lavanya D N, M Shendure Madhavi, Soumya Jammihal, Aishwarya D J and Deepika K. They are joined by male participants Madhu K M, Siddaraju C, Darshan A, Gagan B R, Ramesh Hanamant Singadi, K Sharanappa, Kishor M K, M Y Sandeep Kumar and M Uday Kumar. 

G Shankara, Executive Vice President – Finance and Administration, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “The Ekiden relay race is a shining example of the power of teamwork and inclusivity. We are immensely proud to see our employees represent TKM on this prestigious global platform. This year’s increased participation of women is a significant milestone for TKM, reflecting our commitment to gender diversity and our belief in creating opportunities for all. At TKM, we recognise that an inclusive team not only strengthens our organisational culture but also drives innovation and excellence. Ekiden embodies our philosophy that a healthy body and a healthy mind are essential for personal and professional fulfilment. By fostering a culture of well-being and equality, we create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute meaningfully.”

Sonalika Tractors, India's top tractor export brand, has kicked off 2025 on a positive note with its best-ever January total sales of 10,350 tractors.

While making sure that every farmer has access to strong, dependable and efficient farm equipment to take their farming experience to new heights, Sonalika has been continuously setting new standards in the tractor sector. Sonalika, a reputable brand in more than 150 nations, is steadfast in its resolve to guarantee client happiness, which motivates even more extraordinary accomplishments.

Raman Mittal, Joint Managing Director, International Tractors Limited, said, ‘We have always lived up to our belief and three core philosophies – providing the best products and services, looking after the interests of our stakeholders and doing business ethically without any shortcuts. It has always inspired us to push our limits to set new performance benchmarks in the tractor industry and enabled us to start the 2025 journey with our highest ever January overall sales of 10,350 tractors. We have continued to grow in volume and gain market share in the domestic market as well as beaten industry growth in January 25. Water reservoir levels surged significantly, surpassing the 10-year average LPA in the southern, western and central regions. Moreover, favourable La Nina conditions are expected to further enhance Rabi crop acreage. As we look ahead to achieve even greater milestones in 2025, we are committed to deliver customised tractors and continue to drive farmer’s prosperity in every region.”

Tata Motors has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Government of Maharashtra to restore 1,000 water bodies in over 20 districts in the water-stressed regions of the state.

By utilising the ‘Gal Mukt Dharan Gal Yukt Shivar Yojana’, a community-based de-siltation programme, in collaboration with the Maharashtra government's Soil and Water Conservation Department, NAAM Foundation, and local communities, Tata Motors successfully revitalised 356 water bodies in Maharashtra in 2024. Approximately six million cubic metres of silt were excavated as a consequence of the initiative in 10 districts: Pune, Palghar, Thane, Satara, Dhule, Solapur, Chandrapur, Ahmednagar, Beed and Latur. In addition to helping 7,000 farmers, this cooperative effort has greatly increased the water table and enhanced access to drinkable water in rural Maharashtra, creating a capacity of almost seven billion litres of water.

Tata Motors now plans to expand the water conservation programme to more than 20 districts throughout the state, including the water-scarce areas of Marathwada and Vidarbha. In Amravati, Latur, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Nanded, Parbhani, Akola, Gadchiroli, Yavatmal, Dharashiv, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Ahilya Nagar, Sangli, Solapur, Pune, Palghar, Thane and other districts of the state, the planned partnership seeks to revitalise and revitalise a thousand water bodies. The programme's implementation partner will be NAAM Foundation.

Gal Mukt Dharan Gal Yukt Shivar Yojana gives farmers with preapproved funding for silt delivery to their farms, hence improving soil fertility. The end-to-end digital monitoring method assures project agility and transparency throughout. The success and effect of water body rehabilitation in Maharashtra demonstrate Tata Motors' commitment to long-term development and rural community upliftment.

Vinod Kulkarni, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Tata Motors, said, “We are immensely proud to have strengthened our partnership with the Government of Maharashtra and NAAM Foundation to address the impact of droughts and water scarcity in the state. The successful rejuvenation and restoration of 356 water bodies in 2024 has encouraged us to scale up the programme to over 20 districts and reach many more villages in Maharashtra. This programme strives to raise the water table, provide access to potable water, make irrigation water available throughout the year, thus improving livelihood for villagers.”

Priya Khan, Officer on Special Duty – Chief Minister’s Office, Government of Maharashtra, said, “The Government of Maharashtra launched the 'Gal Mukt Dharan, Gal Mukt Shivar Yojana’ to increase water capacity of existing dams and water bodies. This programme has evolved into a people’s movement thanks to the invaluable support of our partner organisations like Tata Motors and NAAM Foundation. Together, we are not just restoring water bodies; we are fostering resilience and sustainability to reduce the impact of recurring droughts in the state.”

Ganesh Thorat, CEO – NAAM Foundation, said, “The NAAM Foundation began addressing Maharashtra's acute water shortage in 2015. Our partnership with Tata Motors and the Government of Maharashtra is a significant milestone towards these efforts. Last year we collectively expanded our work to 10 districts. We are happy to see that the positive impact of the water conservation efforts will now reach more districts.”

Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has secured the No. 1 global ranking in Sustainalytics' ESG Risk Rating for the Heavy Machinery and Trucks sector in Q3 FY25.

Ashok Leyland was evaluated by Sustainalytics on a number of ESG factors, including corporate governance, social responsibility and environmental management. Ashok Leyland's leadership in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles is demonstrated by this milestone, which emphasises the integration of sustainability into Business Operations, Product Stewardship, Corporate Social Responsibility and the wider ecosystem. The organisation's dedication to openness and improved disclosures solidifies its standing as a world leader in environmentally friendly corporate operations.

Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, “We are honoured to be ranked No. 1 globally in Sustainalytics' ESG Risk Rating for Heavy Machinery & Trucks. This prestigious recognition reflects our steadfast commitment to ESG excellence. Being acknowledged by a globally renowned platform is a testament to Ashok Leyland’s dedication as we accelerate towards our vision of being amongst the Top 10 global commercial vehicle player.”

Alok Verma, Head – Corporate Strategy & ESG, Ashok Leyland, said, “We are thrilled to secure the top global ranking in Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Rating. It is a testament to our relentless commitment to embedding sustainability into our core business strategy. At Ashok Leyland, we believe that integrating ESG into our core strategy not only strengthens our business but also ensures that we create long-term value for all our stakeholders. This recognition further motivates us to accelerate our journey towards a greener, more responsible future.”

Known for its engines, engine components and generators, Cooper Corporation has commissioned a modern tractor plant in Satara, Maharashtra. The plant will produce the Cooper Tractor NDC Series, which is designed to revolutionise farming with its superior performance, fuel efficiency and innovative engineering. 
A part of the company’s mission to innovate and provide superior machinery for the agriculture sector, the new plant attracted an investment of approximately INR 500-600 million. The initial capacity of the plant is to produce 2,000 tractors per month in low, mid and high horsepower segments. 
To be sold initially in Maharashtra, the Cooper Tractor NDC Series tractor – made at the Satara plant – is designed for tough terrains and heavy-duty operations. It comes with an array of innovative features, such as high fuel efficiency, ergonomic design and lower maintenance costs. 
Developed in collaboration with renowned global engineering firms such as Magna Steyr for design, Ricardo UK for engine development, Carraro for transmission and Mita for hydraulics, the Cooper Tractor promises superior performance and savings in fuel, service and operational costs and is tailored for Indian farming needs. 
Speaking about the development, Farrokh N Cooper, Chairman and Managing Director, Cooper Corporation Pvt. Ltd., expressed, “Today marks a historic milestone for Cooper Corporation as we step into the agricultural sector with the launch of our first-ever tractor. The Cooper Tractor NDC Series is a result of years of research, innovation and dedication to delivering a product that truly serves the needs of Indian farmers. Built with global expertise and local insights, this tractor is designed to enhance productivity, reduce operational costs and withstand the toughest farming conditions. As a company deeply rooted in Satara, we are proud to contribute to the growth of Indian agriculture and the prosperity of our farmers.”
The tractor – featuring dual-clutch transmission, power steering and a low turning radius of 3 m – is powered by a superior fuel-efficient four-valve engine with a bed plate design, HLA, Bosch Fuel System, ceramic-coated rings, piston cooling Jet and long-life compacted graphite cylinder head, 
Highlighting the tractor’s superior performance is its ability to deep plough, to low RPM drop during fieldwork and a quick forward and reverse shuttle lever.