A Niti Aayog report recently said that India's trucking market is expected to grow over four times by 2050. This came as no surprise with a recent truck launch in Pune – not a regular truck launch, mind you, but a liquefied natural gas (LNG) one at that. The truck was launched by Blue Energy Motors last week at its plant in Chakan, Pune. The truck comes with a major focus on developing LNG as an alternative fuel. Its market entry is starting with the introduction of the 5528 4x2 truck as the first model. The truck was inaugurated earlier this month by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India.

Moreover, Blue Energy Motors has collaborated with FPT Industrial – a brand of Iveco Group dedicated to the design, production and sale of powertrains for on-road and off-road vehicles, as well as marine and power generation applications – for this truck. For example, the 5528 truck uses FPT Industrial’s multipoint stoichiometric combustion engine to ensure better fuel consumption and lower noise than diesel engines.

The truck was launched by Anirudh Bhuwalka, CEO, Blue Energy Motors. Sylvain Blaise, President of Iveco Group’s Powertrain Business Unit, and Prakhar Saxena, Chief Marketing Officer at Blue Energy Motors, were also present at the launch.

Sharing his thoughts, Bhuwalka said, “As individuals, it is our responsibility to do something about climate change. In my mind, there is an immediate need for decarbonisation. We have several alternatives for decarbonisation, like electric vehicles (EVs). However, EVs have some major issues, like range and cost. LNG solves all the major problems of technology that we talk about. It’s cheaper and cleaner. When the Honourable Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, was here, he said that LNG is the fuel of the future.”

Furthermore, throwing some light on the Blue Energy and FPT Industrial partnership, Bhuwalka cited, “Both the companies are committed to an active and swift decarbonisation path in the commercial transport segment and share the same strong belief that LNG trucks are a sustainable option for the market.”

Blaise said, “We are thrilled that FPT Industrial has joined Blue Energy Motors to begin this exciting journey towards advancing Indian commercial transport. India is one of the largest vehicle markets in the world and our cutting-edge technology and natural gas engines are key enablers of the ecological transformation and generating value for the transport operators.”
 

The 5528 4x2 truck is built at the Blue Energy facility. Giving more insights on this latest truck, Saxena informed, “The LNG truck is built with world-class aggregates. With a 990-litre truck tank onboard, one can get a range of 1,400 kilometres on a single fill. Plus, it comes with a one-of-its-kind service support, from an assured quality of repair and services to fully experienced and trained technicians.”

Saxena further added, “Due to connected trucks with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, there is a 75 percent reduction in breakdown events, 30 percent improvement in driver behaviour, 30 percent increase in asset availability and 10 percent reduction in maintenance cost.”

Blue Energy Motors has installed a capacity to produce 10,000 trucks/annum, which can be augmented further as the ecosystem matures and the demand ramps up. 

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David Hanna has been named Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, effective 1 October 2025. He brings extensive two-decade automotive industry experience from both manufacturer and retail perspectives.

Hanna originally joined Volkswagen Group UK in 2014 and has since cultivated deep brand knowledge through significant roles within the Audi, Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles divisions, including Head of Network Sales at Volkswagen Passenger Cars UK. This strategic appointment marks a return to the light commercial vehicles sector for Hanna, where his proven leadership and historical involvement are expected to drive the brand's future growth and strengthen its market position.

Damien O’Sullivan, Managing Director, Volkswagen Group UK, said, “I am delighted to welcome David to the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group UK in his new role as Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.  I’m sure he will bring strong leadership and considerable experience to this important role.”

Hanna said, “Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is a fantastic brand with class-leading products and an incredible history. It also has one of the best team of retailers in the UK through its Van Centre Network. I’m excited to be able to lead the team in the UK, and am very much looking forward to working with them and the network again in order to continue the success of the brand.”

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Tata Motors, one of India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers, has launched the all-new Tata LPT 812, its latest offering in the Intermediate, Light and Medium Commercial Vehicles (ILMCV) segment.

The LPT 812 builds upon the company’s capabilities and is claimed to be India’s first 4-tyre truck with a 5-tonne rated payload. It is built on the company’s LPT platform, which is claimed to provide the ruggedness of a 6-tyre vehicle, while offering the efficiency, agility and lower maintenance of a 4-tyre truck. It is available in multi-load body options for customers operating across industrial goods, market load, F&V and courier applications, among others.

Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, “The launch of the Tata LPT 812 sets a new benchmark in customer profitability in the segment. This category-defining truck addresses the growing need for improved productivity, while delivering superior fuel efficiency, ease of operations and maximum uptime. It reflects our commitment to understanding evolving market requirements and developing advanced solutions that drive long-term business growth for our customers.”

In terms of performance, the LPT 812 comes with 4SPCR diesel engine, producing 125hp and 360Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed gearbox and a booster-assisted clutch for smooth gearshifts. The truck comes with parabolic front suspension with an anti-roll bar, full S-Cam air brakes and tilt & telescopic power steering.

Tata Motors is providing a 3-year/300,000 km warranty as part of its aftersales assurance.

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Chennai-based commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland has inaugurated its new light commercial vehicles dealership in Jajpur, Odisha, which also marks the sixth such facility in the state.

The new facility is equipped with advanced tools, quick service bays and to service its extensive range of LCVs including – Bada Dost, Dost, Saathi, Partner and MiTR.

Viplav Shah, Head – LCV Business, Ashok Leyland, said, “Odisha has always been an important market for us, and we are delighted to strengthen our presence here with the new dealership in Jajpur. Our relationship with customers in this region has been built on trust, performance, and shared growth. The success of our Dost, Bada Dost and now the Saathi range, known for their superior mileage, performance, and reliability, reflects the confidence our customers place in us. With a strong network and an industry-leading service retention rate, we are thankful for the confidence our customers continue to pose in us. This new dealership is yet another step in our commitment to offering world-class products and unmatched service.”

At present, over 550,000 Ashok Leyland LCVs are plying across India.

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Mumbai-headquartered commercial vehicle major Tata Motors has launched its all-new 9-seater Tata Winger Plus at INR 2.06 million.

The Winger Plus is aimed at customers looking to offer a premium mobility experience for staff transportation and growing tourist demands. It features such as reclining captain seats with adjustable armrests, personal USB charging points, individual AC vents and spacious leg room. Built on a monocoque chassis, it comes with wide cabin and large luggage compartment, at the same time providing car-like ride and handling, along with robust safety.

Anand S, Vice-President and Head – Commercial Passenger Vehicle Business, Tata Motors, said, “The Winger Plus has been thoughtfully engineered to deliver a premium experience for passengers and a compelling value proposition for fleet operators. With its superior ride comfort, best-in-class comfort features, and segment-leading efficiency, it is designed to drive profitability while offering the lowest cost of ownership. India’s passenger mobility landscape is evolving rapidly—from staff transportation in urban centres to the rising demand for tourism across the country. The Winger Plus is built to serve this diversity, setting new benchmarks in the commercial passenger vehicle segment.”

The Winger Plus is powered by a 2.2L Dicor diesel engine, which produces 100hp of power and 200Nm of torque. It is equipped with Tata Motors’ Fleet Edge connected vehicle platform that provides real-time vehicle tracking, diagnostics and fleet optimisation.

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