VE Commercial Vehicles (A Volvo Group and Eicher Motors joint venture) unveiled a range of future-ready mobility solutions from the Eicher and Volvo brands, at Auto Expo 2023 today. Under the banner of VECV’s vision of smart sustainability, the company showcased its expanded EV and natural gas portfolio. Also on show are a range of alternative fuel prototypes, building on VECV’s leadership in driving modernisation in bus and truck transport in India and the developing world, the company claims.

The Eicher brand unveiled India's longest 13.5m electric intercity coach and the Eicher Pro 2049 electric 4.9 T GVW truck. Built on Eicher’s proven EV platform, the Eicher Pro 2049 electric 4.9 T GVW truck is specifically developed for economical and clean last-mile applications, VE Commercial Vehicles states. Also on display is the Eicher Pro 8055 LNG/CNG truck, designed specifically for meeting needs for clean transport in long-haul applications. While managing longer range on LNG, the Eicher Pro 8055 is capable of transitioning to use CNG fuel by the simple turn of a switch, well suited to leverage the rapidly expanding CNG distributor network.

Volvo Trucks showcased the Volvo FM LNG 420 4X2 Tractor, which is undergoing extensive trials with leading e-commerce operators in long-haul hub-to-hub operations. The Volvo LNG solution is based on the unique diesel-cycle technology that provides 15-20 percent improvement in fuel economy over petrol or Otto-cycle technologies, states the company.

Volvo Buses presented its state-of-the-art 15m Volvo 9600 luxury coach. Built on the Volvo 9600 platform, the coach offers first-class luxury seating for an exclusive travel experience, as per the bus manufacturing company.

VECV also showcased prototype Eicher Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck and Hydrogen ICE technology engine at the Auto Expo 2023, claims the company. These next-gen technologies are aligned with the Government of India’s Green Hydrogen Mission and offer a promising path to zero tail-pipe emissions.

According to VE Commercial Vehicles, all Eicher and Volvo trucks and buses are supported with a wide variety of support solutions. Enabled by the industry-first 100 percent connected fleet and state-of-the-art uptime centre, these app-based smart support solutions ensure higher productivity and efficiency or trucks, buses, drivers and fleet managers, further reducing their collective carbon footprint.

Speaking on the occasion, Vinod Aggarwal, Managing Director and CEO, VECV, said, “As a successful Volvo Group and Eicher Motors JV, VECV was the first to build and introduce modern BS VI technology in India. Eicher and Volvo trucks and buses are backed by our 100 percent connected ecosystem, which helps deliver on our promise of productivity and uptime for our customers. The electrification of the CV industry has already started with buses, and we believe that a range of alternative fuels, including LNG, ethanol and hydrogen, are essential to lead decarbonisation of the CV industry. Under the banner of smart sustainability, VECV is well poised to harness this opportunity and play a transformative role for the Indian CV industry.”

Ashok Leyland, one of the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nagaland Rural Bank for a strategic vehicle financing partnership. The partnership will see Ashok Leyland get access to customised financial solutions from Nagaland Rural Bank.

The MoU was signed by C Neelakantan, Head -Treasury and Direct Taxation, Ashok Leyland and Velayutham Sadhasivam, Chairman, Nagaland Rural Bank.

Balaji K M, CFO, Ashok Leyland, said, “At Ashok Leyland, we are dedicated to continuously enhancing customer experience and delivering greater value in our products and services. Nagaland Rural Bank is a regional rural bank with a strong presence in the state. With this partnership in place, our customers in the region will have access to comprehensive financing solutions with specially curated easy repayment plans”.

Sanjeev Kumar, President – MHCV, Ashok Leyland, said, “Ashok Leyland is looking forward to collaborating with Nagaland Rural Bank to offer our customers highly attractive financing solutions. This strategic partnership not only strengthens our market presence but also reinforces our commitment to innovation and customer success. With cutting-edge technology and industry-leading total cost of ownership, our products are designed to drive profitability and value for our customers. We remain steadfast in our commitment to deliver exceptional customer experience and build long lasting relationships.”

Velayutham Sadhasivam added, “Nagaland Rural Bank is delighted to collaborate with Ashok Leyland to provide seamless vehicle financing solutions. This partnership underscores our commitment to meeting the diverse financial needs of commercial vehicle customers across the state. We are confident that this alliance will help us expand our reach and offer customized financing options, fostering the growth of businesses in the commercial vehicle sector.”

Eicher Trucks & Buses, a business unit of VE Commercial Vehicles, has announced that it successfully hosted the second Woman Transporters Delegation at its Bhopal plant.

The event saw women leaders in the transport industry exchange ideas, share insights and explore new business opportunities. The discussion revolved around a wide range of topics such as digitisation, alternative fuels and intelligent mobility solutions that provide challenges and opportunities.

The women leaders were given an exclusive tour of Eicher’s Bhopal plant, an interactive session with VECV Executive Management and test drive experience.

Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VECV, said, “At Eicher Trucks and Buses, we firmly believe that inclusivity and diversity strengthen businesses and drives growth. Technology and digital solutions are transforming the industry, making businesses smarter and more efficient. While we are taking steps to improve diversity and inclusion internally through initiatives like an all-woman assembly line in Bhopal, we thank you for working with us to foster innovative approaches in the commercial vehicle industry."

Bhagwan K Bindiganavile, EVP, Strategic Planning, Brand & Communications, VECV, added, “The Indian CV industry is transforming rapidly, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Seven Cs for mobility solutions: Common, Connected, Convenient, Congestion-free, Charged, Clean and Cutting-edge. We appreciated the women leaders focus on balancing the new technologies making logistics more efficient with a people-first approach.”

SS Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VECV; B Srinivas, COO, Eicher Trucks and Buses; Ramesh Rajagopalan, EVP, Customer Service, Retail Excellence and Network Development and Vimal Mulchandani, EVP- Manufacturing Operation, Eicher Trucks & Buses & Volvo Buses also engaged with the women transporters delegation.

Construction and off-road equipment major SANY has launched what it claims is India's first hybrid off-highway 100-tonne mining dump truck – the SKT130S – with localised manufacturing at its Pune factory.

The truck operates with a 925 kW engine, which generates 3200 Nm of torque, 100-tonne payload capacity and a 61 CuM heaped body capacity, designed for mining applications.

Deepak Garg, Vice-Chairman and MD, SANY India and South Asia, said, “The introduction of the SKT130S is a remarkable achievement in our journey towards driving innovation and self-reliance in India’s mining sector. As India’s first 100-tonne diesel-electric hybrid mining truck, the SKT130S demonstrates SANY India’s commitment to delivering high-performance, efficient and safe solutions to meet the evolving demands of the industry. Our focus on localisation not only supports India’s manufacturing vision but also ensures that we bring cutting-edge technology to enhance productivity in mining operations.”

The SKT130S is expected to achieve fuel savings of 20-25 percent compared to conventional mining trucks. A regenerative braking system enables the high-voltage battery to charge during downhill operation.

The truck includes an intelligent control module for operation management and a 10-inch central control screen for navigation and safety. The cabin meets FOPS/ROPS certification standards, aligning with global safety regulations.

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector has announced its wholesales of 424,641 units in FY2025, which marks a 12 percent increase compared to 378,386 units sold last year.

This includes 407,094 units in the domestic market and 17,547 units in exports, which marks a growth of 12 percent and 27 percent YoY respectively.

Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, said “We have sold 32,582 tractors in the domestic market during March’ 25, a growth of 34 percent over last year. The tractor industry has been witnessing good momentum on account of favourable weather conditions, good reservoir levels, strong rabi outlook and positive terms of trade for farmers. Harvest season has commenced in the northern regions and is expected to progress smoothly across the country. Delivery momentum picked up in the last week of March on account of festivities and momentum is expected to continue in Q1 FY2026 on expectation of very good Rabi crop harvest and improved cash flow in the hands of the farmers In the exports market, we have sold 2,352 tractors, a growth of 35 percent over last year.”

 “We have achieved our highest ever tractor sales in FY2025 with a growth of 12 percent. This is driven by very strong retail sales across the country and lowest ever dealer channel inventory,” added Sikka.