The Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), the apex body representing passenger transport operators across the country, has announced its new committee list for a three-year tenure.

The industry body has elected Prasanna Patwardhan as the National President, A Afzal as National Vice-President, Dharmaraj D.R as General Secretary, Harsh Kotak, as Treasurer and Babu Panikar as the Additional Secretary.

Patwardhan who will continue to lead BOCI as the National President said, “I am deeply honoured to continue serving as the National President of BOCI, and I thank the members for their continued trust and support. The passenger transport industry is at a transformative juncture, requiring concerted efforts to adapt to evolving mobility needs. Public transport, as a pillar of sustainable and inclusive mobility, is central to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. BOCI is committed to strengthening the ecosystem by advancing solutions such as Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and enhanced last-mile connectivity, ensuring that public transport becomes more accessible, seamless, and efficient for all.”

He stated that the industry body will focus on fostering innovative practices, driving meaningful collaborations, and establishing international partnerships to ensure that the industry remains aligned with global advancements and emerging trends.

“As we gear up for 2025, our collective efforts will be directed toward addressing industry challenges, enhancing operational efficiencies, and creating a sustainable roadmap that empowers both operators and passengers. Together, we will continue to elevate the standards of the sector, ensuring it significantly contributes to India’s growth story,” said Patwardhan.

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Piaggio Vehicles (PVPL), a subsidiary of the Piaggio Group and leading manufacturer of small commercial vehicles, has partnered Hinduja Leyland Finance.

The partnership aims to provide Piaggio Vehicles’ customers access to retail finance options on its three-wheeler range, including electric and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles in India.

Diego Graffi, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles, said, “India’s mobility landscape is evolving rapidly. From small entrepreneurs to fleet operators, a new class of owners is emerging, and they need financing that understands their realities. With this partnership, Piaggio and Hinduja Leyland Finance are bringing together the strength of two trusted brands to make vehicle ownership simpler, faster, and more accessible. Together this partnership can enable progress, powered by mobility that people can truly call their own.”

Sachin Pillai, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Hinduja Leyland Finance, said, “This partnership brings together our expertise in vehicle financing and Piaggio’s presence in the three-wheeler segment to help customers acquire and manage their vehicles efficiently. Leveraging our extensive network and reach across India, Hinduja Leyland Finance aims to provide solutions that support last mile connectivity, asset ownership, and income generation for customers across the segment. By combining our financing reach and agility with Piaggio’s product offerings, we are making the 3-wheeler ownership more accessible for the customers through a customised financing process”. 

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Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group, has opened a new 3S dealership for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) in Agra, marking its fifth LCV dealership in Western Uttar Pradesh. Operated by channel partner Maya Autotech, the new dealership is equipped with advanced tools and quick-service bays to provide a superior customer experience. It will offer Ashok Leyland's full range of LCVs, including the Bada Dost, Dost, Saathi, Partner and MiTR models.

It was just recently, the company entered the sub-2-tonne segment with the launch of the Ashok Leyland Saathi. Powered by a new-generation 45 hp engine, the Saathi features an industry-leading payload capacity of 1,120 kg and the largest loading area in its class.

On the other hand, the popular Bada Dost is available in five variants and is equipped with an 80 hp BS6 engine, offering high power, mileage, and payload capacity. The Dost range includes the Dost Xl and Dost+ XL, while the Partner is a fuel-efficient load carrier available in both 4-tyre and 6-tyre options. The MiTR bus, built on the same platform as the Partner, comes in staff and school bus variants.

Viplav Shah, Head of LCV Business at Ashok Leyland, said, “Uttar Pradesh has always been a key market for us, and we are delighted to deepen our presence here with the new dealership in Agra. Our journey with customers in this region has been shaped by trust, performance, and shared progress. The new dealership in Agra builds on the remarkable success of our Dost, Bada Dost and now the Saathi range, which continue to earn the trust of customers for their superior mileage, performance, and reliability. Our strong network and an exceptional service retention rate of nearly 70 percent reflect the deep confidence customers place in us. This dealership is another step forward in our commitment to deliver world-class products and unmatched service, ensuring an exceptional experience for every customer.”

Ashok Leyland’s LCVs were developed to meet the specific needs of Indian customers, combining modern technology with competitive pricing. The company has a significant presence in the segment, with over 550,000 LCVs currently operating across India.

All of these LCVs are manufactured at Ashok Leyland's state-of-the-art plant in Hosur. With a network of more than 1,700 exclusive outlets nationwide, the company aims to have an authorised service center every 75 km on major highways.

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Tata Motors, one of India's biggest commercial vehicle makers, has partnered with its Sri Lankan distributor, DIMO, to launch 10 new commercial vehicles. The launch, which includes a range of trucks and buses, marks a significant expansion of Tata Motors' offerings in the country and celebrates the 65th anniversary of its partnership with DIMO.

The new line-up, the company shared, is designed to meet a wide array of cargo and passenger needs, offering robust, efficient and reliable transport solutions for Sri Lanka's evolving market. The vehicles are engineered for durability across challenging terrains while ensuring comfort and operational efficiency.

Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, said, “With a rich legacy and deep understanding of the Sri Lankan market, we have introduced application-oriented vehicles to meet the country’s growing infrastructure, public transportation, and logistics needs. This enhanced portfolio delivers a compelling proposition of superior performance, reliability, and optimised total cost of ownership — empowering customers to achieve greater efficiency and profitability. Backed by DIMO’s enduring partnership of six and a half decades, we are confident that these advanced offerings will set new benchmarks and catalyse the next phase of progress in Sri Lanka’s growing mobility landscape.”

Ranjith Pandithage, Chairman, DIMO, said, “For over 65 years, DIMO has proudly represented Tata Motors in Sri Lanka, introducing advanced commercial vehicles that continue to set new benchmarks in performance and reliability. This latest range embodies the future of transport — blending world-class engineering with solutions designed for our market’s evolving needs. Underpinned by DIMO’s unmatched after-sales expertise we ensure every vehicle delivers sustained performance and value throughout its lifecycle. Together with Tata Motors, we remain committed to driving sustainable growth and shaping a high-performance mobility ecosystem for the country.”

Cargo Solutions

Intra-city logistics: The Ultra series of trucks (T.7, T.9, T.12, T.14, and 1918.T) are built on Tata Motors’ next-gen smart truck platform, offering high fuel efficiency and enhanced manoeuvrability for last-mile delivery and city logistics.

Long-haul transport: The Prima 5530.S and Signa 5530.S prime movers are designed for heavy-duty and long-haul operations. These models are equipped with advanced technology to improve fuel efficiency and safety, making them suitable for demanding infrastructure projects.

Passenger Solutions

Inter-city travel: The LPO 1622 Magna bus is engineered for long-distance journeys with enhanced passenger comfort, featuring advanced safety technologies like Electronic Stability Control and air suspension for a smooth ride.

Staff transport: The Ultra Prime LPO 8.6 and LPO 11.6 buses provide cost-effective and fuel-efficient solutions for employee mobility, with ergonomic seating for 34 and 40 passengers, respectively.

To support the new fleet, DIMO is providing comprehensive, customer-centric services, including: 15 strategically located service centres for maintenance and genuine spare parts. Extended warranty on selected models, offering coverage for up to 3 years or 300,000 km. Customised Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) to ensure optimal vehicle performance.

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Montra Electric, part of the Murugappa Group, has inaugurated its new electric small commercial vehicle and electric three-wheeler dealerships in Raipur, which will be operated by Ralas Wheels.

These outlets will retail Montra Electric’s flagship EViator four-wheeler e-SCV and the Super Auto and Super Cargo e-three-wheeler portfolio.

The company stated that with Raipur’s rapidly growing logistics and demand for high-performance electric commercial vehicles, the dealerships will offer a fully equipped service facility along with comprehensive maintenance and after-sales care.

The inauguration was led by Arun Murugappan, Chairman, TI Clean Mobility (Montra Electric),  Meenal Choubey, Mayor of Raipur, Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, TI Clean Mobility, Saju Nair, CEO, Tivolt Electric Vehicles, Mohit Singhania, Managing Director, Ralas Wheels and Himanshu Aggarwal, Head Sales & Service, Montra Electric Last-Mile in the presence of customers and other stakeholders.

Jalaj Gupta, said, “The opening of both our both e-SCV and e-3W dealerships in Raipur reflects our commitment to creating a strong and inclusive EV ecosystem across India. With our EViator, Super Auto, and Super Cargo, we are offering reliable, high-performance products that address both logistics and passenger mobility needs. These dealerships strengthen our promise of advanced products, dependable service, and long-term value creation for customers in Chhattisgarh.”

Mohit Singhania, shared, “We are delighted to partner with Montra Electric to bring both the e-SCV and 3W range to Raipur. The city is witnessing rising demand for sustainable logistics and passenger mobility, and we see immense potential for Montra Electric’s products here. Our dealerships are fully equipped to deliver a seamless sales and service experience, ensuring that customers enjoy the benefits of electric mobility with complete confidence.”

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