Agri-solutions provider Coromandel International Limited and Mahindra & Mahindra Limited’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES) business vertical, Krish-e, have signed a memorandum of association (MoU) to extend Coromandel’s Gromor Drive drone spraying services to Indian farmers.

Pilots with RPTO training assist Gromor Drive in its operations, which are now carried out in seven important states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. With the help of its subsidiary, Dhaksha Unmanned Systems, which guarantees dependable drone supply, pilot training and service support, Coromandel's drone services are positioned uniquely in the industry. Coromandel has a clear competitive advantage in this developing market thanks to this backward integration. Through the Krish-e Kheti Ke Liye App and other technology-driven farm solutions provided by Mahindra's FES, the cooperation further improves accessibility to these services with the goal of sustainably maximising farmers' revenue and enhancing the overall agricultural value chain.

Amir Alvi, Chief Operating Officer – Fertiliser Business, Coromandel, said: “Coromandel’s Gromor Drive offers significant advancements in efficiency, scalability and convenience for agricultural practices to farmers. This (non-binding) MoU signing between Coromandel’s Gromor Drive and Mahindra Krish-e represents a pivotal moment in our journey towards transforming the agricultural landscape of India by making drone spraying accessible to farmers. We aim to reduce their input costs, increase productivity, and improve farm profitability through this collaboration. Coromandel’s Gromor Drive, backed by the company’s subsidiary Dhaksha Unmanned Systems, brings in the added advantage of in-house developed cutting-edge agricultural drones, in addition to its fleet of certified drone pilots. We are confident that this collaboration will unlock new opportunities for innovation, create value for our stakeholders, and most importantly, make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of farmers.”

Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, said, “With Krish-e’s well-established presence across the country and Coromandel’s experienced Gromor Drive fleet, we are pleased to take the benefits of drones to many more Indian farmers. A significant step towards enhancing productivity and lowering a farmer’s exposure to powerful chemicals, drone technology can enable selective spraying of fertiliser and chemicals on crops while also ensuring improved yield. The partnership will ensure accessibility of drone spraying for Krish-e customers through the Krish-e Kheti ke Liye App, on a pay-per-acre basis.”

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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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