Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt Ltd (DICV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG (Daimler Truck), today signed an MoU with IIT Madras Incubation Cell (IITMIC) to set up a technology epicentre.

The objective of the technology epicentre is to co-create mid- to long-term solutions necessary for the future of mobility. The foundation of this partnership is ‘technology-led mobility transformation’. The partnership – DICV-IITMIC – was inaugurated at IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai.

The aim of the MoU
Under this MoU, DICV and IITMIC aim to identify, mentor and provide opportunities to Indian technology start-ups, who will work towards finding futuristic solutions for the Indian mobility space in the years to come and introduce them to the market. The focus will be on all aspects, such as de-carbonisation (electric, hydrogen), road safety (ADAS-based safety technologies), efficiency, ecosystem creation and even preparing the industry for paradigm shifts in supply chain and logistics, manufacturing, product development, software driven vehicle architectures, ESG and other allied areas.

Sharing his thoughts on the partnership, Satyakam Arya, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said, “India is going through rapid industrial and economic changes, and technology will be at the core of businesses and lifestyle going forward. Daimler Truck has always been at the forefront of technological development in the commercial vehicle space. We invested in India for the long term because we believe in its huge potential. DICV’s partnership with IITMIC is a watershed moment because this collaboration is based on a common belief that technology should be created and leveraged to transform the marketplace and not just product offerings. We also believe that by investing in and nurturing bright Indian technology start-up companies, we will contribute to India’s growing economy and sustainably lead the change in commercial vehicles, logistics and in the domain of mobility services.”

Two strengths as one
Through this partnership, both DICV and IITMIC will be putting their respective strengths to use. DICV will leverage its commercial vehicles domain expertise, while IITMIC will utilise its background in academia to strengthen the innovation and start-up ecosystem across India.

Throwing further light on this, Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala, President – IIT Madras Research Park, IITM Incubation Cell, asserted, “As fossil-fuel-based vehicles get replaced by battery-powered or hydrogen-powered electric vehicles in the near future, innovation and the pursuit of deep-tech start-ups in the area will be a major task. The DICV-IITMIC joint incubator would strive to become a leading incubator, where young talent flourishes; further it will become a think tank for a fossil-fuel free world tomorrow. IITMIC and DICV will leverage our respective strengths to jointly provide mentorship and nurture start-ups by exchanging and participating in seminars, forums, events and symposiums that will help drive solutions for future mobility.”  

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Chennai-headquartered commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shriram Automall India to establish a platform for certified pre-owned CVs. The agreement was signed by Viplav Shah, Head - LCV, Ashok Leyland and Sameer Malhotra, Director & CEO, SAMIL.

The partnership combines Ashok Leyland's commercial vehicle network with Shriram Automall's auction and remarketing infrastructure to facilitate vehicle exchange, disposal and inspection services for fleet operators and single-truck owners across India.

Viplav Shah, said, “We are delighted to partner with Shriram Automall to strengthen our presence in the pre-owned commercial vehicle market. As we continue our journey towards becoming a comprehensive mobility solutions provider, this collaboration marks an important step in expanding our footprint across the entire commercial vehicle lifecycle. By combining Ashok Leyland's deep expertise in the commercial vehicle industry with Shriram Automall's strong network and customer base in the used vehicle segment, we aim to create greater value and a seamless ownership experience for customers.”

Sameer Malhotra, said, "At SAMIL, our vision has always been to build an organised and trusted marketplace for pre-owned vehicles, equipment, and other assets in India. Partnering with Ashok Leyland marks another significant milestone in that journey. Ashok Leyland has earned the trust of millions through its quality, durability, and innovation, and we are proud to collaborate with such an iconic brand. Together, we aim to create greater value for customers by providing a transparent, efficient, and reliable platform that simplifies the buying and selling of pre-owned commercial vehicles across the country."

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Pune-headquartered commercial vehicle company Force Motors has launched the Urbania Deluxe, replacing the current-generation Urbania as its standard offering in the shared mobility segment.

The Urbania Deluxe features a 2.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel engine delivering 100 kW and 350 Nm of torque. It comes with leatherette seats, wood-finish flooring, 16-inch alloy wheels, a power sliding footstep, a TFT instrument cluster, a 23 cm HD touchscreen infotainment system and an 8-speaker Digital Theatre System.

Safety features include 3-point seat belts for every passenger, airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, Electronic Stability Program, Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Engine Drag Torque Control.

The CV is available in three wheelbases and eight seating layouts ranging from 9+D to 16+D configurations through the dealer network, with prices starting at INR 2.87 million ex-showroom.

The Urbania Deluxe comes with Force Care package featuring i-Pulse telematics, a 5-year/500,000 km warranty, a 3-year sensor warranty and 3 years of Roadside Assistance.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, "With Urbania, we redefined premium shared passenger mobility in India and created an entirely new segment that has found strong acceptance both in India and across international markets. Its success reflects the growing preference for vehicles that combine superior comfort, safety and modern engineering. With the introduction of the new Urbania Deluxe, we are taking this platform to the next level with enhanced performance, premium features and advanced technology to meet the evolving expectations of our customers and deliver the premium travel experience passenger’s demand. As the premium mobility segment continues to evolve, we remain committed to enhancing our products and delivering mobility solutions that set new benchmarks in passenger comfort, safety and performance."

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Prawaas 5.0, an event focused on the public transport industry, concluded on 11 July 2026 at the Helipad Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The three-day event marked the 10th anniversary of the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI).

The event recorded 20,129 registrations and hosted 227 exhibitors, 20 startups and 120 speakers across 15 sessions. It saw participation from 31 states and union territories, as well as 11 countries.

During the event, two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed. The first, between Rotary International District 3080 and BOCI Naari, aims to support the skilling and employment of women as drivers. The second, between Rotary International District 3080 and BOCI, addresses the mental well-being of drivers and road safety.

Prasanna Patwardhan, President of the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), said, "As BOCI completes ten years, Prawaas 5.0 reflects how collaboration, innovation and progressive policymaking are shaping the future of passenger mobility in India. Over the past three days, the exhibition has brought together operators, policymakers, manufacturers, technology providers and entrepreneurs on a common platform to exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore solutions for the sector's evolving needs. The participation and enthusiasm witnessed this year reaffirm our collective commitment to building a safer, smarter and more sustainable passenger transport ecosystem that supports the vision of Viksit Bharat."

The Bharat Prawaas Awards 2026 honoured 72 recipients, including 50 BOCI Excellence Awards and 22 redBus People's Choice Awards. The event was organised by BOCI, hosted by the Akhil Gujarat Pravasi Vahan Sanchalak Mahamandal, and curated by MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications.

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Tata Motors, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UCO Bank for financing solutions.

Through this collaboration, customers will have access to interest rates, loan approvals and processing. The agreement includes loan-to-value funding options and repayment tenures. The partners will coordinate across branches and dealerships to reach customers in urban and rural markets.

Shashikant Kumar, General Manager & Zonal Head – Mumbai, UCO Bank, said, “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Motors Limited marks another significant milestone in UCO Bank’s commitment to delivering innovative and customer centric financing solutions. Through this strategic partnership, we aim to provide seamless, competitive and timely financing for TATA Motors commercial vehicles, enabling entrepreneurs, fleet operators and businesses to expand with confidence.”

Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Ltd., said, “We are pleased to partner with UCO Bank to further strengthen the financing ecosystem for our commercial vehicle customers. Access to organised and competitive financing is a key enabler for our customers' growth, and UCO Bank's strong nationwide presence makes them an ideal partner in this endeavour. This MoU reinforces our commitment to delivering end-to-end solutions, from world-class vehicles to organised financing that empower our customers to grow their businesses with greater confidence and convenience.”

At present, Tata Motors’ product portfolio ranges from 1-tonne to 55-tonne cargo vehicles and 10-seater to 51-seater mass mobility solutions. The company provides services through its Sampoorna Seva 2.0 initiative, the Fleet Edge platform and a network of over 4,500 sales and service touchpoints.

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