EKA Mobility (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions), a leading player in the electric mobility sector with Mitsui (Japan) & VDL Groep (Netherlands) as equity partners, has announced the appointment of three senior executives to its leadership team: Zoeb Karampurwala as Chief Product Officer, Murali Raju as Chief Commercial Officer, and Vijaykumar Yelne as President of EKA Mobility. 

Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder and Chairman, EKA Mobility stated, "We are thrilled to welcome Zoeb, Murali, and Vijaykumar to the EKA Mobility family. Their extensive experience and proven leadership in their respective fields will be pivotal as we continue to innovate and expand our footprint in the electric vehicle market. Each of them brings unique skills that align perfectly with our strategic goals, and we are confident that their contributions will drive significant growth and operational excellence at EKA.”

Zoeb Karampurwala is a automotive engineer and senior executive with over 26 years of experience in electric and conventional vehicle development. In his role at EKA Mobility, he will focus on developing a range of electric commercial vehicles and achieving vertical integration of EV components. His previous held key positions at Mahindra & Mahindra, Ola Electric Mobility, and Tata Motors, and was involved in the development of the Ola Electric two-wheeler platform, the world's first CNG series hybrid buses, and a full range of electric buses and three-wheelers. Karampurwala in his previous leadership roles expanded the engineering team from 4 to 400 members, establishing a comprehensive R&D lab. He holds an Executive MBA from S P Jain, Mumbai, and a BE in Mechanical Engineering from Government College, Pune.

Murali Raju brings over 25 years of industry experience, integrating engineering, IT, and management to lead teams in identifying value opportunities, driving change, and standardising operating systems. 

His expertise spans accounting, corporate finance, operations management, ERP, and AI. His career includes pivotal roles such as President/CFO at Bharat Forge America, General Manager at Gerdau, and advanced engineering positions at American Axle/Metaldyne. He holds an MBA in Finance & Strategy from Michigan State University, a PhD in Systems Engineering from Ohio State University, and an MS in Computer Science from Georgia Tech. 

Vijaykumar Yelne boasts an illustrious career in operational management, excelling in team supervision, project coordination, and analytical problem-solving. His talent for optimising resource use and diplomatic issue resolution makes him a valuable asset to EKA Mobility. 

He has served as Director of Operations at MAN Automotive South Africa from October 2015 to December 2022, where he enhanced organisational policies and coordinated global operations for profitability. His strategic planning ensured agile and sustainable operations. Before being COO and Director at MAN Trucks India (May 2005 - October 2015), he led the establishment of a truck manufacturing facility and directed a 600-strong workforce, improving processes through technological advancements. 

Beginning his career at Cummins Engine Company (1982-2005), he advanced from trainee to leading various operational roles, establishing diesel assembly facilities, and mentoring Six Sigma projects. He holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Shivaji University and a Diploma in Business Management from Pune University.

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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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