At the IAA Transportation 2024 show in Germany, Sinotruk showcased a range of new commercial vehicles under the theme ‘Zero to Hero’. 

Besides an upgraded ‘Yellow River’ hydrogen internal combustion engine tractor with an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.286, the Chinese company presented the Sitrak hydrogen fuel tractor and the Howo Tongshuai pure electric light truck. 

With the innovative design, inspired by a droplet shape that enhances aerodynamics, the highlight of the “Yellow River’ hydrogen ICE (it has also set a Guinness World Record by traveling 4,871 km on a full tank, according to the Sinotruk), the Sitrak electric drive tractor the company exhibited, is engineered for long-haul logistics with a drive range of up to 450 km and does 825 kW of power as well as 75,000 Nm of torque.

The Tongshuai light electric truck, on the other hand, is fitted with a 100-kWh battery that can be charged in just about 20 minutes. The Bolden pickup truck is equipped with a Weichai WP2H 2.0T diesel engine that does 187 hp of power and 420 Nm of torque. 

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Daimler Buses has reached a production milestone with the 40,000th Mercedes-Benz Tourismo rolling off the assembly line in early 2026. The high-deck coach, which debuted in 1992, remains a high-volume model within the European touring sector.

The Tourismo has transitioned through three generations, expanding from a single 12-metre variant to a range of models between 12 and 14 metres in length.

• First Generation (1992): Launched as the O 340 and later the O 350, it established a position in the business-class coach segment.
• Second Generation (2006): Introduced two- and three-axle variants and integrated the Electronic Stability Program (ESP). By 2015, the model surpassed 10,000 sales and added Lane Assist and emergency braking systems.
• Third Generation (2017–Present): Focused on aerodynamic efficiency, achieving a drag coefficient of cw = 0.33. This generation introduced Active Brake Assist 4 and Sideguard Assist.

The current iteration, highlighted by the 2023 Safety Coach upgrade, includes several technical advancements aimed at operational efficiency and passenger protection. It features Active Brake Assist 6 Plus, MirrorCam, Frontguard Assist and Attention Assist.

The bus now features an automatic body-lowering function that drops the chassis by 20 mm at 79 kmph to improve fuel economy. Maintenance is supported by the Omniplus digital platform, which includes an eShop for parts and 3D-printed components produced locally to reduce the CO2 footprint.

Mirko Sgodda, Head of Marketing, Sales and Customer Services at Daimler Buses, said, “Across all three generations of the high-deck coach, Daimler Buses has consistently further developed and refined the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo concept. We have always kept our customers, bus drivers and passengers in mind. This applies to efficiency, comfort, design and, of course, exemplary active and passive safety. This is the only way the Tourismo could become Europe’s best-selling touring coach.”

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TVS Motor Company has announced the launch of ‘TVS KING Ka Vaada 3.0’, an expanded value-added scheme for its three-wheeler portfolio. The initiative extends beyond vehicle maintenance to include financial security and protection benefits for customers and their families.

The updated programme introduces personal and family protection measures alongside traditional vehicle support.

Personal accident coverage for up to INR 1 million in the event of death or permanent disability. Education support of INR 100,000 per child for up to two children in the event of death or permanent disability. Hospitalisation income of INR 4,000 per day for up to 30 days during medical confinement. Three free services and roadside assistance across the range.

The scheme applies to both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric Vehicle (EV) models in the passenger and cargo segments.

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In what is seen as a global energy crisis on the back of the ongoing war between Iran and USA-Israel, is now also expected to have an impact on the Indian transport sector.

Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor & Former President – All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), has called for proactive government measures to protect the economy and the road transport sector from the effects of escalating tensions in the Middle East. The warning follows a surge in crude oil prices to nearly USD 95 per barrel and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz as of late February 2026.

The road transport sector is experiencing a slowdown due to reduced industrial output. Industry observations indicate a decline of up to 50 percent in certain segments, with projections suggesting this could reach 70–80 percent if current disruptions persist.

Furthermore, it can also lead to rising prices for fuel, lubricants, tyres and AdBlue (urea). He has expressed concerns over driver migration due to fewer work opportunities and the closure or price increases at highway eateries.

The ‘energy war’ scenario is impacting the wider MSME ecosystem, leading to higher production costs and operational challenges for small businesses and trading establishments.

Singh has urged the government to implement policy support to maintain economic stability, emphasising that the transport sector serves as the lifeline for domestic trade.

Proposed interventions include:

• Deferment of Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs).
• Introduction of soft loan schemes.
• Targeted tax relaxations for transporters and MSMEs.

Bal Malkit Singh, said, “The current geo-political developments are an early warning signal for our economy. The road transport sector, being the lifeline of trade and commerce, is already experiencing stress due to reduced movement and rising operational costs. If timely interventions are not considered, the situation could escalate significantly in the coming weeks. It is essential to support MSMEs and transporters through relief measures such as deferment of EMIs, soft loan schemes, and tax relaxations to ensure business continuity and economic stability.”

Image credit: Samuel Wolfl/Pexels

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Euro NCAP has announced that Allianz has joined the Safer Trucks programme as an Associate Member, which combines vehicle safety assessment with commercial risk data.

The Safer Trucks programme, launched in 2024, provides safety ratings for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). In its first two years, the initiative has assessed 30 truck models and identified safety gaps in the freight sector. Data indicates that in collisions involving HGVs, 90 percent of fatalities are occupants of other vehicles or pedestrians and cyclists. Freight transport accounts for the movement of 95 percent of goods across the EU.

Allianz operates in 70 countries and will contribute expertise on risk trends and claims data. The Allianz Center for Technology will serve as the centre for automotive technology and traffic safety to promote vehicle safety.

The involvement of insurers in safety assessments aims to inform manufacturers and fleet operators about areas for improvement. According to the programme, avoiding accidents reduces repair costs and downtime, which can lead to lower insurance premiums for fleets.

Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development, Euro NCAP, said, “We are delighted to welcome Allianz to the Safer Trucks programme. Their expertise in risk and casualty analysis adds a valuable new dimension to our multi-disciplinary approach. Safer Trucks is designed not only to benchmark safety performance but also to catalyse improvements in truck design and technology. By integrating risk insight from Allianz with our independent testing data, we aim to accelerate safety innovation across the commercial vehicle sector.”

Matthias Trustedt, Head of Global P&C, Allianz SE, said, “Joining Euro NCAP’s Safer Trucks initiative aligns with our commitment to reducing road risk through evidence-based insights. We believe that independent safety ratings, tied to real-world risk data, can influence both purchasing decisions and the development of safer vehicle technologies. Allianz is proud to support this important work, to help fleet operators make informed choices that protect drivers and other road users, and to offer them tailored and risk-based insurance solutions.”

Christian Sahr, MD, Allianz Center for Technology, said, “Our accident research shows that modern safety systems in trucks can significantly reduce the number of serious accidents. In addition to protecting life, avoiding accidents brings economic benefits for fleet operators because a fleet with lower repair and downtime costs is more efficient, offers better working conditions for drivers, and has significantly lower insurance premiums. Through our cooperation with Euro NCAP, we see excellent opportunities to use our combined expertise to improve the market penetration of safety systems that are already available and that contribute to accident prevention.”

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