Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Bank to provide finance facilities for its M&HCV dealers.

Through the cooperation, Ashok Leyland's M&HCV dealers will have easier access to finance solutions, enabling them to improve company operations and effectively manage their working capital. Dealers may grow their operations with ease thanks to Indian Bank's customised financing alternatives, which offer better liquidity, quicker loan approvals and competitive interest rates. This partnership underscores Ashok Leyland's dedication to empowering its dealer network and promoting sustainable growth in the commercial vehicle sector by guaranteeing increased financial flexibility.

C Neelakantan, Head of Treasury and Direct Taxation at Ashok Leyland, and Saurabh Dalmia, Head of Cash Management at Indian Bank, signed the MoU in the presence of Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head of MHCV at Ashok Leyland, Ashutosh Choudhury, Executive Director, Roopali Singh, DGM-CMS Vertical, and Munash Dalal, AGM-CMS Vertical, who were representatives from Indian Bank.

Balaji K M, CFO, Ashok Leyland, said, “Ashok Leyland is delighted to partner with Indian Bank to offer customised finance solutions to our valued M&HCV dealers. With Indian Bank’s expansive network of 5,880 branches across India, we can cater to our dealers in every region. This strategic partnership will strengthen Ashok Leyland's market position. We remain committed to delivering exceptional experiences to our customers.”

Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head – MHCV, Ashok Leyland, said, “The strategic collaboration with Indian Bank will deliver exceptional financing solutions to our valued dealers, extending our market reach and reinforcing our commitment to innovation and partner success. This partnership will provide tailored financing solutions designed to meet the unique requirements of our dealers. We remain dedicated to fostering long-lasting relationship with our dealer network.”

Ashutosh Choudhury, Executive Director, Indian Bank, said, “Indian Bank is pleased to partner with Ashok Leyland to provide their dealers seamless and tailored financing solutions. This collaboration reaffirms our commitment to supporting the diverse financial requirements of businesses in the commercial vehicle sector. With Indian Bank’s best-in-class processes, we are confident that more dealers will benefit from this partnership, enabling them to scale their operations and drive business growth.”

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IVECO BUS, a brand of Iveco Group, is participating in the EU–Regional Business Forum – West Africa Corridors (CALAO) in Abidjan from 30 March to 1 April 2026. The company is showcasing its transport solutions and expanding its industrial footprint across Africa, where it currently operates in 40 countries.

The company has maintained a 40-year partnership with the Abidjan Transport Company (SOTRA). In January 2022, IVECO BUS established a Daily minibus assembly line in Koumassi, Côte d’Ivoire, making it the first African nation to host such a facility.

The recent fleet deliveries include 300 CROSSWAY LE buses and 50 EVADYS coaches delivered to SOTRA in Côte d'Ivoire (2025), bringing the total IVECO BUS fleet in the country to over 1,450 units. Furthermore, 370 CROSSWAY buses were delivered to Senegal in 2024 to reinforce the DAKAR DEM DIKK fleet.

At present, the OEM offers a multi-energy range including biofuels, natural gas, electric and fuel cell technologies.

• CROSSWAY: An intercity and school transport vehicle with over 70,000 units produced. It features the IVECO CURSOR Euro III engine and cataphoresis protection for durability in diverse climates.
• DAILY Minibus: A 17-passenger vehicle powered by a 146 hp Euro III engine, configured for shuttle and school missions.
• CREALIS BRT: A Bus Rapid Transit solution. Abidjan currently operates 100 18-metre CREALIS CNG (natural gas) units. The model is available in 12- and 18-metre versions with various alternative powertrains.
• E-WAY: A battery-electric range available in four lengths (9.5 m to 18 m). These vehicles utilize 69 kWh NMC batteries and support both depot and opportunity charging.

IVECO BUS provides a service ecosystem that includes technical training and the availability of genuine spare parts for up to 15 years post-production. The brand also implements knowledge transfer programmes to facilitate independent fleet management and local industrial localisation.

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Switch Mobility presented its range of electric sanitation solutions at the Municipalika 2026 conference in New Delhi. The company introduced purpose-built electric vehicles designed for waste collection and street cleaning to support municipal transitions toward zero-emission urban operations.

The IeV3 Garbage Tipper is a factory-fitted electric vehicle designed for urban waste management. It features a closed body with integrated partitions for wet and dry waste and a customisable tipping angle for discharge.

It is available in 2.5, 3, and 3.5 cubic metre configurations. Supports up to 900 kg with the tipper and 1,250 kg in fixed side deck (FSD) format. It comes equipped with a 25.6 kWh lithium-ion battery and a permanent magnet synchronous motor, which delivers a claimed real-world range of 140 km and a top speed of 70 kmph, with a gradeability of 22 percent. A 300V architecture allows charging to 80 percent in approximately 55 minutes.

On the other hand, the IeV4 Electric Road Sweeper is engineered for dust control and debris collection on urban roads, highways and airports. The vehicle utilises a 6-inch vacuum suction system and vacuum-operated brushes to reduce airborne particulate matter.

It comes with a 2.0 cubic metre waste tank and a 500-litre water tank for dust suppression. Features a 1.5-metre dumping height to facilitate waste handling. A compact footprint and quiet electric drivetrain allow for operation in residential and commercial zones with minimal noise disruption.

The transition to electric municipal fleets is intended to reduce fuel dependency and maintenance requirements compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. Both the IeV3 and IeV4 incorporate telematics solutions for real-time fleet monitoring and utilization tracking. These vehicles are designed to navigate narrow city lanes while providing zero-emission performance in densely populated areas.

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Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation has appointed Franziska Cusumano as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2026. The appointment follows approval by the company’s board of directors and general shareholders’ meeting.

Cusumano joins the Kawasaki-based CV maker from Daimler Truck, where she served as Chief Executive of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks. She succeeds Karl Deppen, who currently serves as the President and CEO.

The leadership change is accompanied by two additional board appointments effective on the same date:

• Tatsuya Nomura: Currently Officer of Management Integration at Hino Motors, Nomura will join the board as Director.
• Hironobu Ando: Appointed as Director while maintaining his position as Senior Vice President and Head of Product Engineering.

These director appointments are contingent upon the closing of the business integration agreement between Fuso and Hino Motors. This agreement was originally signed in June 2025 and subsequently amended. The appointments will formally take effect once the closing conditions specified in the agreement are fulfilled.

The transition occurs as the company continues to align its operations under the framework of the Hino Motors integration. The new leadership team is expected to manage the combined engineering and management integration workstreams resulting from the 2025 agreement.

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Eicher Trucks & Buses, a unit of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd (VECV), has inaugurated a dedicated dealership for its Eicher Pro X small truck range in Faridabad. Operated by Shree Motors, the 12,000 sqft 3S facility integrates sales, service and spares under one roof.

The facility situated on NH-19 (Delhi–Mathura–Agra corridor) provides access to fleet operators in Northern India's industrial and logistics hubs. The dealership is part of Eicher's ‘born-digital’ network, featuring an omni-channel retail model. Interactive digital displays and a dedicated customisation zone allow customers to configure vehicles according to specific requirements:

• Technical Specifications: Load deck options and cargo body requirements.
• Fuel and Aesthetics: Choice of fuel types and exterior colours.
• Connectivity: Access to Eicher’s 100 percent connected vehicle data and uptime support.

The infrastructure is designed to support last-mile logistics by focusing on vehicle uptime through trained technicians and advanced diagnostic tools.

Ramesh Rajagopalan, EVP, Customer Service, Retail Excellence and Network Development, VECV, said, “Faridabad holds strategic importance as a prominent industrial and logistics hub in North India, supporting diverse sectors such as e-commerce, parcel and courier services, FMCG distribution, and industrial goods movement. With the addition of Shree Motors Private Limited’s exclusive Eicher Pro X dealership, we are strengthening our footprint in the region while enhancing our capability to serve businesses that depend on efficient last-mile transportation. We are delighted to onboard the Shree Motors team into the Eicher Pro X network and remain committed to delivering intelligent, connected, and customer-focused mobility solutions to our customers across Faridabad and nearby markets.”

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