Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck (Daimler Truck) has launched the all-new range of heavy-duty Rigid trucks from BharatBenz in the Indian market. 

Powered by an all-new BharatBenz BSVI-Stage2 6.7-litre diesel engine the rigid trucks will offer new payload applications such as bitumen, bulker, petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) in addition to a variety of existing payload applications. 

The new range of BharatBenz heavy-duty Rigid range will be available to customers with the 2826R (6x2), 3526R (8x2), 3832R (8x2), 4232R (10x2) and 4832R (10x2) configurations and two power options – 250HP and 950Nm and 306HP and 1200Nm. 

Sreeram Venkateswaran, President & Chief Business Officer, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles said, 'With the introduction of our all-new BharatBenz Rigids, we are committed to supporting the evolving needs of the Indian transportation sector. These trucks are not just tools, but reliable partners designed to navigate the dynamic world of logistics and transportation efficiently. Powered by the all-new 6D26 engine, these new trucks bring significant advancements in fuel efficiency and operational flexibility, which directly contribute to a lower total cost of ownership. These engines are specifically designed to handle substantial payloads efficiently, which allows for smoother shifts and high torque delivery at lower speeds. Available in multiple configurations, they offer not only enhanced acceleration but also class-leading peak and flat torque, resulting in maximised operational efficiency and improved driver comfort, reducing fatigue during extended hauls.”

The BharatBenz Rigid heavy-duty trucks are equipped with the EFFI+ package and multi-drive mode functionality. The EFFI+ package introduces several key innovations including ‘Minimal Parked Regeneration’ to reduce unnecessary fuel burn during downtime; ‘Auto Green Band’, which automatically maintains engine speed within the optimal RPM range for efficiency; ‘Auto Idling Shutdown’, which cuts off the engine during prolonged idling to conserve fuel; and ‘Harsh Acceleration Control’, which limits acceleration rates to prevent fuel wastage.

The multi-drive mode feature allows drivers to select between various operating modes tailored to different load conditions, greatly enhancing efficiency during partial or no-load operations. These technologies, along with the advanced common rail injection system and Load Based Speed Control (LBSC), collectively optimise performance and maximise fuel efficiency, ensuring operational cost-effectiveness. 

Diverse applications and safety

The CV maker says the newly engineered joggle frame chassis, constructed with riveted joints, lays a solid foundation for a wide range of applications. This advanced chassis design is deliberately crafted to support multiple new applications such as bitumen, bulker, and petroleum oil and lubricants applications. The trucks are fitted with parabolic-type, grease-free suspension.

To support operational reliability, the trucks come with an impressive million kilometre Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC). 

The rigids are fully compliant with stringent EU ECE R29-02 cabin safety norms. The cabins are aerodynamically designed to sustain vehicle momentum, while comfortable sleeper berths support long-distance journeys. Advanced Driver State Monitoring systems, employing AI and computer vision, vigilantly prevent driver distraction and fatigue. Enhancements also include a more powerful engine brake system, boosting braking efficiency by 28 percent, and reverse cameras to facilitate safer manoeuvrability.

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In a strategic commitment to cultivating advanced technical expertise in South India, Eicher (VE Commercial Vehicles Limited) has established a long-term Regional Competency Development Centre at VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering & Technology (VNR VJIET) in Hyderabad. This significant investment underscores Eicher's dedication to fostering industry-ready talent and enhancing the practical skills of its own workforce and network. The centre, inaugurated for an initial 10-year term, represents a core component of Eicher's vision for collaborative innovation and sustainable skill development within the automotive sector.

The newly inaugurated facility is equipped with a comprehensive range of operational vehicles, including diesel and electric models, alongside specialised diagnostic equipment and cut models of vital automotive systems. This infrastructure is designed to provide immersive, hands-on learning for Eicher employees and dealer partners from the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh regions. Furthermore, it creates a vital bridge to academia, offering students and faculty from key engineering disciplines direct exposure to current industry technologies and real-world automotive systems within their academic environment.

This initiative is fundamentally driven by Eicher’s objective to support sustained knowledge advancement and create a robust pipeline of skilled professionals. By enabling structured training on modern vehicle technologies, the partnership actively contributes to shaping the future of the automotive industry. It reflects Eicher's proactive approach to integrating industry practice with engineering education, thereby strengthening the ecosystem that supplies the next generation of engineers and technicians.

D Suresh Babu Garu, President, Vignana Jyothi, said, “Being selected by a global automotive leader such as Volvo–Eicher to host a Regional Competency Development Centre is a strong validation of VNR VJIET’s focus on industry-aligned education. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to providing students with the best facilities, real-world exposure and future-ready skills that meet national and global standards.”

Sumit Diwan, National Head – Customer Care, VE Commercial Vehicles Limited, said, “This Centre reflects our long-term approach to capability building and talent development. By investing in advanced infrastructure at VNR VJIET and training students alongside our workforce, we are creating a strong pipeline of skilled engineers equipped for evolving automotive and electric mobility technologies. We plan on hiring students from Automobile Engineering (AE) department and encourage greater participation of female students in the recruitment process.”

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BillionElectric Mobility (BillionE) has raised USD 25 million in a growth capital round consisting of equity and debt. The funding was provided by a consortium of family offices, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and financial institutions, including the State Bank of India (SBI).

The capital is intended to transition the company from deployments to commercial operations in electric freight. A portion of the funds will support the rollout of 500 electric trucks during the FY2026-27.

BillionE Mobility currently maintains a pipeline of over 1,500 electric trucks planned for the next three years to meet demand from industrial customers.

The fleet will serve logistics for sectors including cement, automotive, metals, and e-commerce. These industries are targeted due to predictable routes and high utilisation levels, which facilitate the transition to electric vehicles.

BillionE Mobility is executing a strategy across freight corridors. These routes are being electrified by CHARGE ZONE, an affiliated company providing the charging network for the fleet. The integration aims to deliver operational efficiencies and reductions in emissions across industrial clusters.

Sanjeev Kulkarni, CEO and Co-Founder, BillionE Mobility, said, “This fundraise comes at a defining moment for electric commercial mobility in India. We are moving beyond pilots to scaled, real-world deployments where execution, reliability, and economics matter most. The capital will allow us to accelerate fleet expansion, strengthen operational readiness, and deepen partnerships with customers committed to decarbonising their logistics. Our vision is to make electric trucking a mainstream, dependable, and commercially viable choice for India’s freight ecosystem.”

Kartikey Hariyani, Founder and Chief Platform Architect of BillionE Platform, added, “I am personally indebted and grateful to our existing and new shareholders backing our vision of an Energy Transition platform enabled by electric mobility in commercial segments. Currently we are on a growth path of 120 percent on YoY basis and would like to maintain this momentum in coming months and years. Fortunately, EV trucking has achieved the total cost of ownership (TCO) at par with diesel on specific routes and use cases, especially 19T and 55T category, and this is indeed a huge boost.”

The company intends to use the investment to capture a share of the commercial vehicle market while lowering carbon intensity in freight logistics.

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Sonalika Tractors is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking its transition from a local business in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, to a USD 1.1 billion global entity. The company is currently ranked as the third-largest tractor manufacturer in India and the fifth-largest globally.

Founded in 1996 by LD Mittal and his sons, Dr A. S. Mittal and Dr Deepak Mittal, the company began by manufacturing agricultural threshers before entering the tractor market. Sonalika adopted a strategy of customising machinery for specific soil and regional conditions rather than following industry standardisation. Since 2011, the company has utilised vertical integration, manufacturing its own engines, transmissions and sheet metal aggregates in-house.

Technical milestones of the brand include:

• Production Capacity: The Hoshiarpur facility was expanded in 2017 to become a fully integrated plant capable of producing one tractor every two minutes.
• Product Range: The company develops over 2,000 models ranging from 20 HP to 120 HP.
• Export Leadership: Sonalika has been India's leading tractor export brand for seven consecutive years, holding a 30 percent market share in exports. Every third tractor exported from India is manufactured at its Hoshiarpur facility.
• Global Presence: The brand operates in over 150 countries and owns six assembly plants internationally.

In 2022, Sonalika became the first Indian tractor manufacturer to publish vehicle prices on its website, followed by the publication of service costs in 2025.

Going forward, the company intends to increase its production capacity to 300,000 tractors per year. Future plans include the integration of digital platforms and connected diagnostics to manage farmer engagement and vehicle maintenance.

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Caterpillar has announced an expanded collaboration with Nvidia to develop AI-enhanced solutions for machines, manufacturing facilities and supply chains. The partnership focuses on applying physical AI to heavy equipment to assist with autonomy and site management.

The automaker is utilising the Nvidia Jetson Thor platform to enable real-time AI inference on its construction, mining and power equipment. This technology provides a foundation for autonomous operations and in-cab assistance. Machines will process sensor data via edge computing to provide safety alerts, productivity tips and real-time coaching to operators. In mining and construction environments, these systems are designed to process data points in milliseconds to navigate changing jobsite conditions.

At CES 2026, the company debuted the Cat AI Assistant, a tool embedded in digital and onboard products. Built using Nvidia Riva speech models, the assistant uses voice activation to help users manage equipment settings, perform troubleshooting and access maintenance information. The system draws from Caterpillar’s Helios unified data platform to provide context-specific recommendations to dealers and customers.

Caterpillar is also implementing an Nvidia AI Factory to automate manufacturing processes, including forecasting and production scheduling. The company is developing digital twins of its factories using Nvidia Omniverse and OpenUSD. These virtual models allow engineers to simulate and optimise factory layouts and production flows before physical implementation.

Joe Creed, CEO of Caterpillar, said, “As AI moves beyond data to reshape the physical world, it is unlocking new opportunities for innovation – from job sites and factory floors to offices. Caterpillar is committed to solving our customers’ toughest challenges by leading with advanced technology in our machines and every aspect of business. Our collaboration with Nvidia is accelerating that progress like never before.”

Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO, Nvidia, said, “For a century, Caterpillar has built the industrial machines that shaped the world. In the age of AI, Nvidia and Caterpillar are partnering across the full spectrum – from autonomous construction fleets to the AI data centres powering the next industrial revolution.”

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