Commercial Vehicles in India: News & Updates


Akash1886

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Ashok Leyland showcases BS-VI trucks and buses
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04th November, 2019, Chennai:
Reaffirming commitment towards sustainable transportation, India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group showcased its wide range of Bharat Stage (BS) VI trucks and buses. After receiving the certificates, confirming compliance to BS-VI emission standard, from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Ashok Leyland becomes the first Indian OEM to meet the BS-VI emission norms across the full range of heavy duty trucks (GVW of 16.2T and above).
Ashok Leyland has consistently stayed at the forefront with innovations. In the past, when emission norms were upgraded, Ashok Leyland were the first to come up with indigenous and innovative technology that not only addressed the requirements, but also catered to the needs of customers. In continuation to its commitment to innovation, again with its indigenous technology, the company has come out with a mid-NOx technology for BS-VI vehicles. Ashok Leyland has addressed the requirement for the new norms with a relevant and customized approach once again. Along with this, Ashok Leyland will be introducing the Modular Vehicle Platform that will efficiently cater to the diverse needs of the customers.

Commenting on the new BS-VI vehicles Mr. Dheeraj G. Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland, said, “Ashok Leyland has a rich legacy of technological innovations that has set the benchmark for the industry. Be it the in-line pump for BS-III or the iEGR for BS-IV, at Ashok Leyland, we have consistently stayed ahead of the curve. In focus with our aspirations of being amongst the top ten global Commercial Vehicle maker, we have yet again come up with an innovative technology to address the BS-VI norms. We are the first OEM to get BS-VI certification for our complete range of heavy duty trucks. This will be introduced with the new Modular Vehicle Platform which will provide customised solutions to address our customers’ specific needs.”

Mr. Anuj Kathuria, Chief Operating Officer, Ashok Leyland, “We are extremely proud of our new range of BS VI vehicles, which have been designed with precision and attention, and represents the best of our technological expertise and sophisticated R&D capabilities. Additionally, we have developed an entire new modular vehicle platform for this range and are confident of meeting the increasingly dynamic customer requirements, with multiple options of Loading Spans, Cabins, Suspensions, and, Drivetrains. These combinations would be offered to the customers through a custom built product configurator. With the highly competent line-up we are offering, we are also enhancing the competency of our sales and service workforce through rigorous internal training and dealer mechanic training.”

Dr. N. Saravanan, Chief Technology Officer, Ashok Leyland, said, “Our BS-VI trucks and buses are a hallmark of excellence and the new range has adapted many innovations to suit Indian conditions. We have effectively met the BS-VI emission limits through a combination of proven iEGR and a Best-in-Class SCR system, while making minimal changes in the engine. All this ensures that we build upon our dependable engine platforms and deliver better TCO to our customers. Our priority is to provide efficient, clean, safe, accessible, and an affordable value proposition to our customers. We have been testing this new technology and have successfully covered over 5 million kilometres of field running.”

Ashok Leyland today offers a comprehensive range of trucks and buses catering to an entire gamut of day-to-day commercial vehicle needs - from intercity light commercial vehicle to 49-tonne long haul trucks and wide range of buses, to safe transport and driver-friendly choices. Ashok Leyland has pioneered technological innovations in the truck and bus segment, and is fully equipped with a range of buses powered by alternate fuels aimed at reducing pollution and promoting an eco-friendly transport system in India. The company has also developed a range of mobility solutions to meet the future transportation needs of the ‘Envisaged Smart Cities’.
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Akash
 

Nairrk

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Maruti Suzuki Super Carry Deckless Variant Launched; Priced At ₹ 3.94 Lakh



Maruti Suzuki has launched a new deckless variant of its Super Carry light commercial vehicle which has been priced at ₹ 3.94 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. However, the Super Carry deckless variant will be available only with a petrol engine and can get the CNG option at a later date, both being the same powertrain. That said, a diesel mill is not on the cards as of now being in-line with Maruti's announcement to discontinue all small capacity diesel engines.



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Nairrk

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Mahindra Jeeto Plus Variant Launched, Priced At ₹ 3.46 Lakh



Mahindra has announced launching a new and advanced variant of its popular mini-truck Jeeto. Christened the Mahindra Jeeto Plus, the new variant of the Jeeto is a sub-1 tonne light commercial vehicle is priced at ₹ 3.47 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). Compared to the regular Jeeto mini-truck, the Plus variant comes with a longer deck with a total length of 7.4 feet, along with an increased payload capacity of 715 kg. The Mahindra Jeeto Plus also comes with a class-leading warranty of 3 years or 72,000 km (whichever is earlier).

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Nairrk

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Piaggio Receives BS6 Certification From ARAI For Its Diesel 3-Wheelers Range

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Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd (PVPL) has announced becoming India's first three-wheeler manufacturer to receive the BS6 compliance certification from ARAI, for its diesel-powered range of 3 Wheelers. Currently, the company three-wheeler range is available for both goods and passenger carrier segments and are powered by the same 435.6 cc single-cylinder, naturally aspirated, air-cooled, diesel DI compression ignition engine that is tuned to churn out 8 bhp and 21 Nm of peak torque. The engine comes mated to a 4-speed constant mesh gearbox.

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Nairrk

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Piaggio Launches Its BS6 Range Of CNG 3-Wheelers In Bhopal



Piaggio India today announced launching its BS6 range of CNG three-wheelers in the city of Bhopal, along with the inauguration of two CNG stations in Bhopal. With one of the widest range of three-wheelers in Indian, Piaggio's Ape series of three-wheelers come powered by the company new 3-valve, water-cooled engine, paired with a CNG kit. Currently the engine powers the Piaggio Ape City, Ape City+ in the passenger segment, along with the Ape Auto Dx, Ape Auto DXL, Ape Auto+, Ape Xtra LDX, and ApeXtra LDX+, in the cargo segment.

ijjqdf6_piaggio-investment-plans_625x300_03_August_18.jpg


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Nairrk

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Bharat Benz Reveals BS6 Range Of Trucks & Buses

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Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) unveiled the new BS6 compliant range or BharatBenz commercial vehicles for the country. The new offerings not only meet the upcoming emission norms but also get comprehensive upgrades to the design, new vehicle telematics system and improved fuel efficiency over the previous versions. BharatBenz says that the new BS6 range will see a price hike by about 10 per cent over the previous version, but the company has worked extensively to reduce the cost of ownership for operators. Daimler India has already commenced accepting pre-bookings for the new BS6 range of trucks and buses.

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Nairrk

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Ashok Leyland Delivers Its First Batch Of BS6 Vehicles Built On New Modular Platform



Home-grown commercial vehicle manufacturer, Ashok Leyland, has announced delivering the first batch of its latest BS6 vehicles built on the company's new modular platform. Equipped with the company's i-Gen6 BSVI technology, the new platform allows multiple options of axle configuration, loading spans, cabins, suspensions, and drivetrains. The new versatile platform can underpin a wide range of vehicles like Trucks, Tippers, and even Tractors, suitable for different applications based on the requirement of the business.

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Nairrk

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Tata Motors Delivers India's First LNG Buses

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Tata Motors has delivered India's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) buses in a bid to provide more eco-friendly and sustainable transport solutions. The company has developed the 36-seater Starbus LNG AC models that were delivered to LNG Petronet Limited. Two buses have been deployed in Dahej, Gujarat, along with two other units in Kochi, Kerala. Tata Motors indigenously developed the LNG buses within a stipulated timeframe and come with an integrated LNG system developed for the Indian market. The new buses are clean, safe, affordable and comfortable, says the company.

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deville_56

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Tata Motors Delivers India's First LNG Buses

View attachment 271787

Tata Motors has delivered India's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) buses in a bid to provide more eco-friendly and sustainable transport solutions. The company has developed the 36-seater Starbus LNG AC models that were delivered to LNG Petronet Limited. Two buses have been deployed in Dahej, Gujarat, along with two other units in Kochi, Kerala. Tata Motors indigenously developed the LNG buses within a stipulated timeframe and come with an integrated LNG system developed for the Indian market. The new buses are clean, safe, affordable and comfortable, says the company.

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That's funny. India's first LNG bus was delivered to KSRTC by the same team, Tata and Petronet back in 2016, but that was a full-size Marcopolo SLF. It was returned after some time due to lack of infrastructure, no LNG facilities in Kerala. Then came an AL Lynx CNG, which is still plying in Cochin.
 

Akash1886

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Ashok Leyland delivers Modular Platform Vehicles with BS VI Technology
First of its kind in the Indian CV Industry
Ashok Leyland delivers Modular Platform Vehicles with BS VI Technology-0....jpg

6th March 2020, Bengaluru:
Ashok Leyland, flagship company of the Hinduja Group and India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, today delivered the first batch of vehicles built on its new modular platform with i-Gen6 BSVI technology to its customers at Bengaluru. The modular platform is first of its kind in the Indian CV industry with multiple options of axle configuration, loading spans, cabins, suspensions, drivetrains on a single platform for range of Trucks, Tippers and Tractors. This helps customers to configure vehicles based on their application and business needs.
The Modular platform will enable customisation of the product which in turn will deliver better operational economics to its customers. The company has also worked on providing improved safety and comfort in the product. The aggregates have also been improved in this platform which will ensure higher reliability and durability. These vehicles are supported by next Gen i-alert fleet management system with remote diagnostics.

Mr. Anuj Kathuria, Chief Operating Officer, Ashok Leyland, said,
“We are excited to introduce the innovative modular platform, which will help our customers to improve Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) including best in class operation and maintenance cost. The modular range can be customised to individual customer’s needs - load, terrain, application and operational requirements. We are introducing these vehicles much before the launch to establish the product superiority and enable the customer to get the benefits of higher performance and productivity.”

Earlier this year Ashok Leyland seeded the first batch of BS-VI compliant trucks to its customers in the Delhi-NCR region. The company has consistently relied on its in-house R&D talent and indigenous technology for leading innovations in the industry. In order to meet the BS-VI emission standard, the company has developed the innovative iGen6 technology that will ensure higher operating profits for customers.
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Akash
 

Akash1886

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Ashok Leyland ensures continuous service support to customers during Covid 19

April 01, 2020, Chennai:
India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group, has announced a slew of measures to support their customers, and their drivers, in their endeavor to provide uninterrupted service during these challenging times.
The measures announced are:

· All MHCV models – Warranty / Extended Warranty period expiring between 15th March, 2020 and 15th April, 2020 shall be extended by 2 months
· Free services due between 15th March 2020 and 15th April, 2020 shall be extended by 2 months for availing the service
· All LCV models – vehicles whose free service falls between 1st March 2020 and 15th April 2020, the same has been extended and can be availed up to 31st May 2020
· Vehicles whose warranty would expire between 1st March 2020 and 30th April 2020 has been extended up to 31st May 2020
· Extended warranty of vehicles, expiring between 15th March 2020 and 14th April 2020 has been extended up to 14th May 2020

As part of the ServiceMandi initiative, under the en-Dhan fuel card scheme, Ashok Leyland associated with HPCL to reach out to truck drivers who were stranded on the highways across the country to lend support. They formed a joint task force team that reached out to fleet owners, truck owners to understand the kind of support their drivers might require during this lockdown period. Some wanted a safe parking space to protect their shipment, while some others wanted access to basic groceries. Some others wanted cash. HPCL offered safe parking in their petrol bunks for the stranded trucks. For those who wanted groceries, a basic hamper consisting of rice / atta, dal, and other basic necessities to cook food, mask, hand sanitisers, and soap was provided. To those who wanted cash, money was transferred quickly to the local HPCL bunk owner’s account, who in-turn withdrew the same and handed it over to the drivers. In a span of 4 days, over 1300 drivers were supported.

Commenting on the initiatives and measures taken by the team, Mr. R Sivanesan, President – Quality, Service, and Parts, Ashok Leyland, said, “These are trying times and there is no other way to triumph this but by fighting this together. We understand that our customers are doing what it takes to ensure that we all get our essential commodities while we stay at home. They are the backbone of the nation and it is our duty to do whatever it takes to provide them with the best possible support. These are some of the immediate actions that we have taken, and we will continue to provide all assistance required.”


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Akash
 

Akash1886

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Near-term outlook for the CV industry weighed down significantly by the coronavirus outbreak; volumes likely to contract further between 8-10% in FY2021: ICRA
· With cash flows of fleet operators also under pressure, replacement demand for new trucks is likely to remain muted till any meaningful pick-up in the economy and infrastructure projects fructify

· An improvement in economic environment and resolution of liquidity constraints remain critical for a sustained revival in the industry
ICRA continues to maintain a Negative outlook for the commercial vehicle (CV) segment over the near-term, given the slowing economic growth, current overcapacity in the CV ecosystem and not so benign financing environment, with challenges further aggravated by the recent and rapid spread of novel coronavirus in India.
The demand headwinds are expected to continue over the near-term given the macroeconomic challenges in view of the recent pandemic outbreak coupled with weakening financial profile of fleet operators and significant price hikes because of transition to BS-VI emission norms. This would exert pressure on earnings and overall credit profile of CV OEMs, which have witnessed sharp earnings contraction over the past 3-4 quarters.

Says Mr. Shamsher Dewan, Vice President, ICRA, “In particular, the M&HCV (Truck) segment has been significantly impacted over the past year, with volumes contracting by a sharp 42% in YTD FY2020. Excess capacity created in the system post revision of axle load norms in July 2018 and faster turnaround of vehicle post GST implementation, coupled with slowdown in the economy and infrastructure projects and the resultant lower freight availability continue to weigh on the demand prospects. Furthermore, the rapid spread of coronavirus and the lockdown imposed in the country has had a significant impact on goods movement and freight availability over recent weeks and may to continue over the near-term. Accordingly, the outlook for the next fiscal, especially the first half, remains weak given the macroeconomic headwinds in view of recent pandemic outbreak coupled with significant price hikes because of transition to the new emission norms. Any recovery in the latter half hinges on pick-up in construction activity. However, despite some channel inventory filling measures of OEMs, M&HCV (Truck) sales are expected to close the upcoming fiscal with further decline of 12-14% during FY2021e.”

As for the LCV (Truck) segment, the same started facing headwinds from the macroeconomic and consumption slowdown since the beginning of FY2020. Coupled with subdued demand from rural and allied sectors, and tight financing environment, besides inventory correction by OEMs, wholesale dispatches of LCV (Trucks) contracted by 13% during YTD FY2020. Despite the rural demand sentiment witnessing an uptick in recent months, supported by expectations of a healthy rabi output, ICRA expects the outbreak of novel coronavirus and the associated lockdown and restricted movement of goods to have a bearing on the segment over the near term. Accordingly, despite recovery expectations during the latter half, the LCV (Truck) segment is expected to contract further by 7-9% during FY2021e. Furthermore, prolonged disruptions due to recent coronavirus outbreak poses further downside risks to this.

The Passenger Carrier segment, while relatively insulated from the impact of reduced load availability, is also expected to report demand contraction in the next fiscal. With some pre-buying trend witnessed in the segment in the current fiscal, and state finances likely to be directed towards covid relief measures, it is unlikely that SRTU replacement demand would be a significant growth driver in the upcoming fiscal. Additionally, impact on operations of schools, colleges and offices due to the pandemic outbreak would also affect the demand from the School/College and Staff Carrier segments. Accordingly, ICRA expects the segment volumes to contract by 8-10% during FY2021e.

Adds Mr. Dewan, “With cash flows of fleet operators under pressure due to afore-mentioned factors, replacement demand for new trucks is likely to remain muted till any meaningful pick-up in the economy and infrastructure projects fructify. Additionally, the recent pandemic outbreak remains a significant unknown which can have a bearing on the economy and CV sales over the near to medium term. ICRA believes an improvement in economic environment and resolution of liquidity constraints remain critical for a sustained revival in the industry. In absence of either, we maintain a subdued outlook for the industry for the next fiscal.”

The sharp volume contraction and resultant negative operating leverage coupled with elevated level of discounts exerted significant pressure on earnings and credit metrics of CV OEMs during the current fiscal. These pressures are expected to continue at least over the next couple of quarters, before recovery sets in the industry. Furthermore, any unsold BS-IV inventory and their write-off can also exert pressure on CV OEM’s profitability. Accordingly, ICRA expects profitability and credit metrics of CV OEMs are likely to remain under pressure over the near-term.
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Akash
 

Akash1886

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Buddies,

A quote from Mr. Vipin Sondhi, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, on policy requirements in context to the ongoing pandemic.

“It would be crucial to kick-start economic activity after this period of disruption. MSME’s are the backbone of Indian industry and form the key element of product supply chain - be it agri-processing, textiles, or auto-ancillaries. They will need support from the Government, and some measures to be considered would be - easy access to working capital and liquidity, through banks and NBFC’s, providing Interest free and collateral free loans; introduction of an incentive for MSME’s to help them pay salaries and wages to their employees in these times; extension of the NPA recognition period from 90 days to 360 days; ensuring that all pending payments to industry/MSME’s are cleared immediately by the government departments and PSUs, and lastly, MSMEs can be incentivised to produce medical supplies, with a buy back arrangement from the Government.”
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Akash
 

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