Chennai-based commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland has secured an order for supplying 1,937 buses to the Tamil Nadu State Transport Undertakings (TNSTU). The order further reinforces Ashok Leyland's partnership with the TNSTU, which currently operates over 21,000 of the company's buses.

The new buses will feature the advanced iGen6 BS VI technology and are designed for passenger comfort. The order includes a mix of fully built and chassis configurations for town, mofussil and SETC (State Express Transport Corporation) applications. Each vehicle is built on the AIS 153-compliant chassis platform, which meets the latest Indian safety and performance regulations.

The order for a mix of the new Viking and SETC models offer features to meet the needs of public transport:

• Power Needs: All Town / Mofussil and SETC buses have an upgraded Battery and Alternator to meet the power needs of Advanced ITMS (Intelligent Transport Management Systems).
• Safety: High-speed Mofussil and SETC buses are equipped with Electronic Stability Control for improved stability.
• Comfort: Urban Low Entry and Semi Low Floor buses (650mm) include automatic transmission and air suspension, and are equipped with a wheelchair ramp for passengers with special needs.

Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head – MHCV, Ashok Leyland, said, “We are proud to strengthen our long-standing partnership with the Tamil Nadu State Transport Undertakings through this significant order. Tamil Nadu has always been an important market for us, and this order is a testament to the trust and confidence our customers place in Ashok Leyland’s technology and performance. This order win reinforces our dedication to creating efficient and technologically advanced products that exceed our customers' expectations and contribute to the growth of public transportation. Our focus continues to be on developing advanced, safe and efficient mobility solutions that meet the evolving needs of public transportation in India.”

Mohan K, Head Bus - MHCV, Ashok Leyland, said, “We are thrilled to have received this order from the Tamil Nadu State Transport Undertakings for 1937 buses. Tamil Nadu has always been one of our most valued markets, and we take great pride in being a key partner in strengthening the state’s public transport system. These advanced buses, equipped with the latest safety, technology and comfort features, underscore our commitment to delivering reliable, efficient, and safe mobility solutions. We remain dedicated to supporting the government’s vision of providing modern and sustainable transportation for the people of Tamil Nadu.”

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Solis, the flagship brand of International Tractors (ITL) has launched the Solis JP 975, which it said is developed on an entirely new technology platform.

The JP 975 is the first model in the new JP series and is powered by JP Tech 4-cylinder engine, which delivers up to 10 percent higher torque, peaking at 205 Nm.

This engine is paired with India’s first 15F + 5R Epicyclic Transmission in the segment, alongside side-shift gears for smoother handling and a minimum of five optimal working speeds suitable for every major application.

The tractor’s Smart Shuttle system ensures quick, jerk-free directional changes, enhancing operator efficiency in field and loader work. A ladder-type chassis ensures stability, lower vibration and reduced noise, which is crucial for longer working hours.

Raman Mittal, Joint Managing Director, International Tractors, said, “The launch of the advanced Solis JP 975 marks a decisive step in our mission to bring next-generation tractor technologies to Indian farmers. The JP 975 is the first model in our completely new JP series, designed on a future-ready platform that integrates intelligent engineering with the evolving needs of the progressive Indian farmer. With the powerful JP Tech 4-cylinder engine and India’s first 15F+5R transmission in its class, the JP 975 sets a new benchmark in power, comfort, and application versatility. Over the next 12 months, we will be introducing a series of advanced tractors built on this platform to unlock greater efficiency and productivity for our farming community.”

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European commercial vehicle major Traton and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed a EUR 500 million long-term loan agreement at favourable terms to support the Traton Group's research and development for the Traton Modular System (TMS).

The TMS is a global, cross-brand modular platform designed to harmonise vehicle development and production across Traton brands like Scania and MAN. Its standardised interfaces allow for economies of scale, reduce costs and enable specific solutions for customers. The system promotes scalability, cost efficiency and flexibility while supporting innovation and sustainability.

This funding is intended to drive the transformation of Europe’s heavy-duty vehicles sector and supports the goals set out in the European Green Deal, including making transport cleaner and helping manufacturers meet carbon reduction rules.

Dr. Michael Jackstein, CFO and CHRO, Traton Group, said, “The partnership with the European Investment Bank is a major milestone in Traton Group’s financial strategy and underlines our strategic direction and innovative strength. By further diversifying our financing access, we are ensuring the financial stability and flexibility needed to drive innovation and support our customers throughout the industry’s transition to a more electrified and sustainable future.”

Nicola Beer, Vice-President, European Investment Bank, said, “Investing in sustainable mobility and cutting-edge digitalization is vital for Europe’s long-term competitiveness. By financing industry leaders like Traton, the EIB ensures that European innovation translates into real-world impact – creating high-quality jobs, reinforcing resilient supply chains and driving the continent’s leadership in the green transition. This agreement unlocks momentum for the Group to drive industry transformation, marking a decisive move in the shift to scalable, digital, and electrified mobility solutions for Europe and beyond. Together, EIB and Traton are charting a course towards more sustainable, digitally integrated transport ecosystems – reinforcing Europe’s industrial leadership for generations to come.”

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Force Motors, India's largest van maker, reported a strong 59 percent YoY growth in domestic wholesale for November 2025, as compared to last year.

The company attributed the surge in sales to the rapid scaling of the Urbania and Trax platforms, both of which now contribute a higher share to overall volumes. Trax, in particular, has benefited from the recent GST rationalisation on rural mobility categories, which has improved affordability and accelerated replacement demand across rural and semi-urban markets.

Traveller, the company’s people-mobility platform, continues to anchor volumes with consistency and year-to-date growth, while the Monobus recorded sustained traction through increased institutional and state transport requirements.

For April to November 2025, Force Motors registered a 23 percent year-to-date growth, driven by adoption of new-generation platforms and improved demand across core customer segments.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, “We are pleased with the sustainable growth in our domestic sales, which reflects the strong customer confidence in our range of reliable and robust vehicles. While domestic wholesales grew by 59 percent in November 2025, overall volumes were moderated by expected fluctuations in export dispatches, which typically vary based on shipment cycles across international markets. Despite this, total wholesales still registered a strong 53 percent YoY increase, underscoring the company’s resilient growth trajectory”.

The company continues to see rising demand across key sectors including rural transportation, staff carriers and goods movement. Force Motors remains committed to innovation and customer satisfaction, ensuring performance and low total cost of ownership.

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Montra Electric, the clean mobility brand of the Murugappa Group, has marked its entry into the northern markets with the Montra Electric E-27 tractor at the EIMA Agrimach India 2025 exhibition.

The E-27 is stated to be India’s first ARAI-certified electric tractor and delivers 27 HP equivalent power and 90 Nm torque through a high-efficiency PMSM motor, enabling performance in plowing, tilling, spraying and haulage. The e-tractor comes with 2WD and 4WD drivetrain options.

The E-27 is now available for purchase in 17 dealerships across 10 states, with prices starting from INR 1.07 million (ex-showroom).

Its 22.37 kWh LFP prismatic-cell battery pack offers a runtime of approximately 4.5 hours with a charging time of 2.15 hours. The E-27 is ARAI certified, confirming its compliance with national standards for safety, reliability and performance.

The tractor features an 8F + 2R side-shift transmission, a dual-speed PTO (540 and 1000 rpm) and a 720 kg hydraulic lifting capacity. Economically, the E-27 reduces operating costs by up to 70 percent due to no diesel consumption and lower maintenance requirements, resulting in lifetime savings nearing INR one million compared to conventional diesel models. The quiet operation and reduced vibration improve operator comfort.

Harish Prasad, CEO, Montra Electric Tractors, said, “The expansion into the northern markets with our Montra Electric E-27 tractor is a pivotal milestone for us and a major step in India’s clean-mobility and agricultural transformation. Agriculture is the largest consumer of tractors, which makes electrification essential for achieving meaningful sustainability at scale. The E-27 reflects our broader vision of building clean, accessible, and future-ready mobility solutions. By bringing zero-emission technology to India’s farmlands, we are aligning our mission of sustainable mobility with the nation’s long-term environmental and economic priorities. Farmers can now embrace cutting-edge technology without compromising productivity, while substantially reducing their total cost of ownership.”

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