- Daimler Truck
- Volvo Group
- software defined vehicles
- SDV
- software
- Karin Radstrom
- Martin Lundstedt
Daimler Truck, Volvo Group Sign Binding Agreement To Set Up JV To Develop Common SDV Platform
- by MT Bureau
- October 28, 2024
Commercial vehicles majors Daimler Truck and Volvo Group have signed a binding agreement to establish a joint venture and are working towards setting up the company that will be headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.
This follows up to the earlier announcement made by the companies in May this year, when they outlined their ambition to develop a common software-defined vehicle (SDV) platform and dedicated truck operating system, providing the basis for future software-defined commercial vehicles.
The SDV platform will enable Daimler Truck and Volvo Group and potential other future customers of the joint venture to provide stand-alone digital vehicle functions for their products.
Karin Radstrom, CEO, Daimler Truck, said, “The signing demonstrates our joint commitment to lead the digital transformation of our industry. The software and hardware from this joint venture will be crucial for achieving unprecedented levels of safety, comfort and efficiency for our customers.”
Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO, Volvo Group, added, “We are joining forces to redefine software architecture and pioneer a new era of self-optimising trucks. Together we are removing complexity to allow our customers to unlock higher levels of connectivity, safety and efficiency and continually push for a greater performance. It is a revolutionary response to the challenges of our modern world, and we are proud to be setting the industry standard.”
The JV’s activities will include the specification and procurement of centralised high-performance control units dedicated for commercial vehicles and capable of handling large amounts of data. The new company will develop an operating system and tools which vehicle manufacturers can use as a basis to develop their own differentiating digital vehicle features.
This will decouple software and hardware development cycles in the future and enable customers to purchase and update digital applications wirelessly ‘over the air’, ultimately enhancing customer efficiency and experience.
What’s more, Daimler Truck and Volvo Group will remain competitors and continue to differentiate their complete product and services offerings, including their respective digital solutions.
The transaction for the joint venture is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025, subject to obtaining all required regulatory approvals.
- Toyota Kirloskar Motor
- Hornbill Music Festival
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Celebrates Hornbill Music Festival 2024
- by MT Bureau
- December 04, 2024
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is continuing its association with the Hornbill Music Festival by participating in the cultural celebrations for the third consecutive year as title sponsor.
TKM's continued collaboration with the Hornbill Music Festival is a testament to the company's stronger ties to the people of the Northeast and Nagaland as well as its support for promoting the region's rich cultural legacy. As a part of its active participation in the event, TKM has set up an engaging car pavilion at the Hornbill Music Festival, featuring a display of its various popular models, including the Innova Crysta, Innova Hycross (hybrid electric vehicle), Fortuner, Glanza, Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Urban Cruiser Taisor, Rumion, Camry, Hilux and Vellfire.
Held at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, in Kohima District, Nagaland (from 1 to 10 December), this year’s edition of Hornbill Music Festival was inaugurated in the presence of Manasi Tata, Vice Chairperson of TKM & Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts (TKAP); Tadashi Asazuma, Deputy Managing Director for Sales, Service and Used Cars at TKM & Lexus and Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President. Other eminent personalities who graced the event included Y Vikheho Swu, Managing Director of Okusa Toyota; Nobuaki Yahiro, Managing Director & CEO of Toyota Tsusho India; Takayuki Ueda, Managing Director & CEO of Toyota Tsusho Insurance Broker India; Ryusuke Miyake, Corporate Officer of Sumitomo Corporation & General Manager of Sumitomo Corporation Automotive Sales & Marketing SBU; Shinya Watanabe, Deputy Managing Director of Denso International India and Keitaro Asano, Managing Coordinator of Toyota Industries Engine India.
Sabari Manohar – Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the esteemed Hornbill Music Festival for the third year in a row. This collaboration underscores our resolute commitment to honouring the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland, a region renowned for its vibrant traditions and remarkable diversity. The Hornbill Music Festival is more than just a cultural event; it is a celebration of history, arts and music, showcasing the unique identities of the Naga tribes, making it a vital part of India’s cultural tapestry. This platform not only allows us to foster strong connect with the local community but also enable us to add excitement to their festive fervour by presenting our wide range of product offerings to the customer base in the region.”
- Eka Mobility
- Canoo Inc
- Tesla
- Faraday Future
- Ford Motor Company
- NASA
- US Department of Defence
- Model S
- Model X
- Dr Sudhir Mehta
Eka Onboards Sohel Merchant As Chief Innovation Officer
- by MT Bureau
- December 03, 2024
Eka (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions), a leading electric mobility and technology company, has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Sohel Merchant, as its new Chief Innovation Officer.
Merchant comes with over two decades of experience in the automotive industry in the areas of Vehicle Engineering and Program Management. He has worked with the likes of Canoo Inc., Tesla, Faraday Future Inc., and the Ford Motor Company.
In his last role, he was the Co-Founder and CTO at Canoo, where he helped design innovative electric platforms and vehicles for the commercial sector, the US Department of Defence, and NASA. During his stint at Tesla, Merchant is said to have been involved in the design of Model S and Model X vehicles.
“I am honoured to join Eka Mobility at such a transformative time in the EV industry. I look forward to working with the team to create great and valuable EV solutions,” said Merchant.
Dr Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman, Eka, said, “We are excited to welcome Sohel Merchant as Chief Innovation Officer at Eka Mobility. With his invaluable global experience, Sohel joins Eka’s robust senior leadership team, which now stands as one of the strongest in the industry. Together with our global management team, Eka is well-positioned to lead the electric mobility revolution, delivering cutting-edge solutions and redefining the future of sustainable transportation.”
- November 2023
- sales
- performance
- year on year
- commercial vehicles
- India
- Tata Motors
- Ashok Leyland
- VE Commercial Vehicles
- Mahindra
Commercial Vehicle Sales Performance In November 2024
- by Bhushan Mhapralkar
- December 02, 2024
A festive season usually doesn’t have as much influence on the sale of commercial vehicles as it would have on the same of passenger vehicles and two-wheelers. The recent festive season saw a spike in passenger vehicle and two-wheeler sales spread over the last few days of October 2024 and the first few days of November 2024.
Tata Motors reported a sale of 27,636 commercial vehicles in November 2024 as compared to the sale of 28,029 units in November 2023, marking a decline of one percent. The commercial vehicle major recorded a sale of 26,183 units in November 2024 in the domestic market, down one percent, as compared to the sale of 26,579 in November 2023.
While passenger carriers reported a 42 percent increase year on year with the sale of 3,022 units as compared to 2,130 vehicles sold in November 2023, the HCVs recorded the most decline of eight percent with the sale of 7,586 units as compared to 8,253 units in November 2023.
Ashok Leyland reported a sale of 14,137 vehicles in November 2024 as compared to 14,053 units in November 2023, an increase of one percent. The commercial vehicle maker sold 12,473 units in the domestic market in the respective month as compared to the sale of 13,031 units in November 2023, a decline of four percent.
While the passenger carriers recorded a sale of 1,304 units in November 2024 as compared to 982 units, an increase of 33 percent, the LCV segment posted a most decline at 14 percent with the sale of 4,560 units in November 2024 as compared to the sale of 5,294 units in the corresponding month last fiscal.
Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles posted a 7.3 percent increase year on year in sales at 5,574 units in November 2024. The commercial vehicle manufacturer sold 5,194 units in November 2023.
The sale of Eicher brand of vehicle in November 2024 was 5,359 units whereas that of the Volvo brand was 215 units.
Mahindra & Mahindra sold 30,085 commercial vehicles (including three-wheelers/electric CVs) in November 2024 as compared to the sale of 28,779 units in November 2023. The company was a good uptake in sales of LCVs between two and 3.5-tonne with a sale of 18,063 units in November 2024, up five percent, as compared to the sale of 17,284 vehicles in November 2023.
- GreenLine Mobility Solutions
- Essar Group
- Flipkart
- LNG
- Trucks
- Anand Mimani
- Hemant Badri
GreenLine Partners Flipkart To Deploy LNG Trucks For Delivery Operations
- by MT Bureau
- December 02, 2024
GreenLine Mobility Solutions, part of Essar Group, has partnered Flipkart, one of India’s leading e-commerce marketplaces, to support its sustainable logistics practice.
As per the understanding, GreenLine will initially deploy 25 liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks for Flipkart’s delivery operations. The LNG trucks are equipped with 46-feet containers offering a capacity of 110 cubic meters (CBM) and will transport a range of e-commerce goods for both B2B and B2C loads. Initially, the LNG trucks will focus on transporting goods from the West to the North of India, with future plans to expand to additional routes covering North to South and West to South corridors.
Anand Mimani, CEO, GreenLine Mobility Solutions, said, “E-commerce is transforming lives across India, connecting dreams, needs, and opportunities. Yet, as the sector grows, so does its environmental footprint. At GreenLine, we see this as a call to action. Through our partnership with Flipkart, we are enabling India to go green, one mile at a time. By deploying our LNG-powered fleet, we’re making logistics more sustainable, ensuring that every delivery contributes to a brighter, cleaner future for our nation.”
Hemant Badri, SVP & Head of Supply Chain, Customer Experience & ReCommerce Business at Flipkart Group, said, “At Flipkart, we are committed to building a sustainable future, and this partnership with GreenLine is a milestone in achieving that goal. By integrating LNG-powered vehicles into our logistics operations alongside our existing electric vehicle fleet, we aim improve supply chain efficiency and contribute to India’s broader environmental objectives. This collaboration highlights our continuous efforts to drive green innovation and support the long-term sustainability of our operations.”
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