EKA (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions) has announced that Mitsui & Co (Mitsui), a global trading and investment company, has executed a second tranche investment as a part of the initially announced phased investment, further solidifying their commitment to the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) company. 

The strategic infusion of capital will be directed towards capital expenditures (Capex) and working capital, supporting EKA Mobility’s continued expansion and innovation in the EV sector. This tranche also establishes an attractive valuation benchmark for the company and is testimony to the rapid growth that EKA is witnessing. 

In December 2023, EKA, Mitsui & VDL Groep entered into a strategic long-term partnership, that included joint investments of $100 million (INR 8.5 billion) in phases, equity, and technology cooperation to create a leading global OEM in India. This is one of the largest and most significant partnerships in the new mobility segment globally. Under the cooperation, EKA Mobility will receive significant and strategic investments from Mitsui, and technological support & equity partnership from VDL Groep, a leading Dutch technology and manufacturing company. As part of this partnership, VDL Bus & Coach, a subsidiary of VDL Groep and Europe’s frontrunner in electric buses & coaches will support EKA Mobility by transfer-of-technology to produce electric buses in India for the Indian market. 

Earlier this year, Mitsui invested its maiden tranche in EKA which propelled the company to establish one of the largest R&D centres in the country for electric commercial vehicles, new product development, and expanding its export footprints. The second tranche will support EKA Mobility's manufacturing capabilities, accelerate new product development, expand market reach, and provide working capital. The investment will strengthen the company’s financial base to support day-to-day operations, supply chain optimisation, and market expansion initiatives.

Hiroshi Takeuchi, Deputy General Manager of Mobility Business Unit 1 of Mitsui said, “We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with EKA Mobility through the investment of this second tranche. EKA Mobility has demonstrated strong growth and innovation in the EV space, and we are excited to support their continued success. We look forward to utilising Mitsui's global network to promote exporting EKA's competitive products to overseas markets. This investment aligns with Mitsui's strategic focus on sustainable and forward-looking industries, and we are confident that EKA Mobility will play a pivotal role in the future of transportation."

Headquartered in Pune, India, Eka has been at the forefront of the commercial electric mobility revolution, developing a range of electric buses in 7-metre, 9-metre and 12-metre categories, intercity coaches, and a range of electric light commercial vehicles. EKA is also one of the commercial vehicle manufacturers approved under the Government of India’s Auto PLI policy. 

Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder of EKA (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions) said, "We are immensely grateful to Mitsui & VDL Groep for their unwavering confidence and sustained investment in EKA Mobility. The continued investment support will enable us to accelerate our growth trajectory, bring innovative EV solutions to market faster, and further our mission to create a sustainable and green transportation ecosystem. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Mitsui & VDL."

At present, the company’s order book has significantly grown to over 1,000 electric buses and more than 5,000 electric light commercial vehicles. 

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Pune-headquartered Force Motors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to participate in the Commercial Vehicle Replacement Scheme for the Delhi-NCR region.

The scheme facilitates the replacement of BS-IV and older trucks and buses in Delhi-NCR with BS-VI or electric vehicles to lower emissions. Under the agreement, Force Motors will provide benefits to customers through its dealership network in the region.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, "Force Motors is pleased to partner with the Government of India in this important initiative to modernise the commercial vehicle fleet in the Delhi-NCR region. The scheme aligns with our commitment to delivering cleaner, more efficient mobility solutions. We look forward to enabling fleet operators and customers to transition to the latest generation of commercial vehicles through this collaborative initiative."

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Chennai-headquartered automotive major Ashok Leyland has inaugurated a new dealership for Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) in Ratnagiri. This facility is the 16th LCV dealership in Maharashtra, adding to a distribution network of 950 touchpoints across India.

The new dealership is operated by Lavekar Motors as a 3S (Sales, Service and Spares) facility, which features 8 service bays and is located near Mahanagar CNG Pump.

Viplav Shah, Head – LCV Business, Ashok Leyland Ltd. said, “Maharashtra has always been an important market for us, and we are excited to further strengthen our presence in this region. Our relationship with customers is built on trust, performance, and shared growth. Our products are known for their superior mileage, reliability, and performance with a robust network and an industry-leading service retention, we take pride in the continued confidence our customers place in us. The opening of this new dealership marks yet another step in our commitment to delivering world-class products and unmatched services to our valued customers.”

Till date, Ashok Leyland has sold over 600,000 LCVs in India, which are manufactured at the Hosur plant.

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US-headquartered electronic systems and technology company for commercial vehicles, buses, coaches, and off-highway equipment, Stoneridge, has announced its participation in IAA Transportation 2026.

The company is set to exhibit the EVO ECU platform, an electronic control unit designed to support the transition to software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The unit provides processing capability and connectivity, intended to manage vehicle complexity while reducing integration efforts and system costs.

Natalia Noblet, President and CEO, Stoneridge, said, “IAA Transportation will provide our first opportunity to showcase the significant advancements we have invested in to support our customers’ evolving needs. Our investments in engineering, software development, and customer-focused innovation are enabling us to deliver solutions that improve safety, simplify vehicle integration and increase operational efficiency.”

Stoneridge will also feature its Innovation Truck, a demonstrator vehicle equipped with an integrated vision solution and connected tractor and trailer technologies. The display follows the MirrorEye Camera Monitor System, for which the company has produced over 150,000 units. The demonstrator serves to show the integration of the company's technology portfolio for driver awareness and fleet operations.

Christian Leblanc, Global Vice-President of Product and Project Management, Stoneridge, said, “Vehicle architectures are evolving rapidly as manufacturers seek greater functionality, flexibility, and efficiency. EVO ECU has been designed to address these challenges by providing a high-performance platform that simplifies integration while enabling future expansion for emerging safety, security, and connectivity applications. Equally as importantly, the platform has been designed with commercial vehicle manufacturers in mind. It provides the scalability required to support future innovations while helping customers reduce complexity throughout sourcing, validation, and deployment.”

Stoneridge employs approximately 3,200 people. Its European operations include offices and technology centres in Sweden, the Netherlands, Estonia, France and the United Kingdom.

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New Holland, a brand of CNH Group, has expanded its farm mechanisation portfolio in India with the launch of its new HD and XHD Series Rotary Tillers (Rotavators). The new range is manufactured at the company’s facility in Pune.

The equipment is designed for diverse soil types and agro-climatic zones, aiming to improve soil preparation, productivity, and field performance. A high swing diameter facilitates deeper tillage, improving seed-to-soil contact. The heavy-duty multi-speed gearbox allows farmers to adjust operations based on specific soil conditions, which the company states helps optimise fuel use and save time. The units incorporate Metal Twin-Faced (MTF) seals to protect the rotor hub from water ingress, and utilise DTM paint technology for corrosion resistance.

Tarun Khanna, Director Marketing (AG) India, New Holland, said, "Farm mechanisation is increasingly becoming a key driver of agricultural productivity and efficiency in India. As farmers look for equipment that can deliver superior performance, durability and operational efficiency, the demand for reliable mechanisation solutions continues to grow. The launch of our HD and XHD Series Rotary Tillers reinforces New Holland's commitment to supporting Indian farmers with advanced implements that are engineered for demanding field conditions and designed to enhance productivity."

Following the national unveiling at the company's Greater Noida facility, New Holland plans to introduce the range through a series of dealer-level launches across India. This release is part of the brand’s broader strategy to offer a comprehensive suite of agricultural implements to support modern farming practices.

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