Ashok Leyland bags order from MSRTC to supply 2,104 fully built buses

Ashok Leyland bags order from MSRTC to supply 2,104 fully built buses

Chennai-based commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland has bagged what it claims it the single largest fully built bus order from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) for 2,104 units of Viking passenger bus. 

At present, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is one of the largest state transport undertakings in the country with over 15,000 buses. 

The new order is said to make Ashok Leyland buses a leading supplier for MSRTC’s fleet. The Viking bus are fully compliant with the latest CMVR standards and comes with AIS 153 compliant body. In terms of powertrain, Ashok Leyland has equipped the Viking bus with the iGEN6 BS VI OBD II technology with 197 HP H-Series Engine, and Rear Air Suspension. The buses are manufactured at Ashok Leyland’s exclusive bus body plants with state-of-the-art technology.

Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland said, “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). This new order underscores our dedication to producing highly efficient and technologically advanced products, driving the growth of public transportation in the country. Our deep understanding of our customers and our ability to quickly respond to their needs is what sets us apart.” 

Sanjeev Kumar, President – M&HCV, Ashok Leyland said. “We are thrilled to have received this order from MSRTC. The order win emphasises the confidence and trust our customers have in our products. Specifically tailored to meet the unique requirements of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, our buses stand as a testament to the reliability, durability, and robustness of our products. We are proud to offer MSRTC and the people of Maharashtra a modern fleet that ensures superior comfort and the highest standards of safety. This order reflects the trust that our customers place on Ashok Leyland.”

Force Motors Partners Ministry of Road Transport & Highways For Delhi-NCR Vehicle Scheme

Force Motors - MoRTH

Pune-headquartered Force Motors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to participate in the Commercial Vehicle Replacement Scheme for the Delhi-NCR region.

The scheme facilitates the replacement of BS-IV and older trucks and buses in Delhi-NCR with BS-VI or electric vehicles to lower emissions. Under the agreement, Force Motors will provide benefits to customers through its dealership network in the region.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, "Force Motors is pleased to partner with the Government of India in this important initiative to modernise the commercial vehicle fleet in the Delhi-NCR region. The scheme aligns with our commitment to delivering cleaner, more efficient mobility solutions. We look forward to enabling fleet operators and customers to transition to the latest generation of commercial vehicles through this collaborative initiative."

Ashok Leyland Opens New LCV Dealership In Maharashtra

Ashok Leyland LCV

Chennai-headquartered automotive major Ashok Leyland has inaugurated a new dealership for Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) in Ratnagiri. This facility is the 16th LCV dealership in Maharashtra, adding to a distribution network of 950 touchpoints across India.

The new dealership is operated by Lavekar Motors as a 3S (Sales, Service and Spares) facility, which features 8 service bays and is located near Mahanagar CNG Pump.

Viplav Shah, Head – LCV Business, Ashok Leyland Ltd. said, “Maharashtra has always been an important market for us, and we are excited to further strengthen our presence in this region. Our relationship with customers is built on trust, performance, and shared growth. Our products are known for their superior mileage, reliability, and performance with a robust network and an industry-leading service retention, we take pride in the continued confidence our customers place in us. The opening of this new dealership marks yet another step in our commitment to delivering world-class products and unmatched services to our valued customers.”

Till date, Ashok Leyland has sold over 600,000 LCVs in India, which are manufactured at the Hosur plant.

Stoneridge To Showcase EVO ECU Platform, Innovation Truck At IAA Transportation 2026

Stoneridge

US-headquartered electronic systems and technology company for commercial vehicles, buses, coaches, and off-highway equipment, Stoneridge, has announced its participation in IAA Transportation 2026.

The company is set to exhibit the EVO ECU platform, an electronic control unit designed to support the transition to software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The unit provides processing capability and connectivity, intended to manage vehicle complexity while reducing integration efforts and system costs.

Natalia Noblet, President and CEO, Stoneridge, said, “IAA Transportation will provide our first opportunity to showcase the significant advancements we have invested in to support our customers’ evolving needs. Our investments in engineering, software development, and customer-focused innovation are enabling us to deliver solutions that improve safety, simplify vehicle integration and increase operational efficiency.”

Stoneridge will also feature its Innovation Truck, a demonstrator vehicle equipped with an integrated vision solution and connected tractor and trailer technologies. The display follows the MirrorEye Camera Monitor System, for which the company has produced over 150,000 units. The demonstrator serves to show the integration of the company's technology portfolio for driver awareness and fleet operations.

Christian Leblanc, Global Vice-President of Product and Project Management, Stoneridge, said, “Vehicle architectures are evolving rapidly as manufacturers seek greater functionality, flexibility, and efficiency. EVO ECU has been designed to address these challenges by providing a high-performance platform that simplifies integration while enabling future expansion for emerging safety, security, and connectivity applications. Equally as importantly, the platform has been designed with commercial vehicle manufacturers in mind. It provides the scalability required to support future innovations while helping customers reduce complexity throughout sourcing, validation, and deployment.”

Stoneridge employs approximately 3,200 people. Its European operations include offices and technology centres in Sweden, the Netherlands, Estonia, France and the United Kingdom.

New Holland Launches HD And XHD Series Rotary Tillers In India

New Holland Tillers

New Holland, a brand of CNH Group, has expanded its farm mechanisation portfolio in India with the launch of its new HD and XHD Series Rotary Tillers (Rotavators). The new range is manufactured at the company’s facility in Pune.

The equipment is designed for diverse soil types and agro-climatic zones, aiming to improve soil preparation, productivity, and field performance. A high swing diameter facilitates deeper tillage, improving seed-to-soil contact. The heavy-duty multi-speed gearbox allows farmers to adjust operations based on specific soil conditions, which the company states helps optimise fuel use and save time. The units incorporate Metal Twin-Faced (MTF) seals to protect the rotor hub from water ingress, and utilise DTM paint technology for corrosion resistance.

Tarun Khanna, Director Marketing (AG) India, New Holland, said, "Farm mechanisation is increasingly becoming a key driver of agricultural productivity and efficiency in India. As farmers look for equipment that can deliver superior performance, durability and operational efficiency, the demand for reliable mechanisation solutions continues to grow. The launch of our HD and XHD Series Rotary Tillers reinforces New Holland's commitment to supporting Indian farmers with advanced implements that are engineered for demanding field conditions and designed to enhance productivity."

Following the national unveiling at the company's Greater Noida facility, New Holland plans to introduce the range through a series of dealer-level launches across India. This release is part of the brand’s broader strategy to offer a comprehensive suite of agricultural implements to support modern farming practices.