With the seeding of Fuso eCanter electric light-duty truck already in progress in India, it will be offered in the market under the BharatBenz brand name rather than the Fuso brand name, claim industry sources with the knowledge of the development. 

Drawing attention to the launch of eCanter under the Fuso brand name in Indonesia, they mention that Daimler India Commercial Vehicles' (DICV) first electric truck in the country will offered with a GVW of 4.25 tonne. 

The commercial launch of the vehicle expected to take place ahead of the upcoming festive season, the e-truck is being worked upon in terms of its marketing position vis a vis what the competition would soon follow up with and in terms of what the market requirements are. 

With the electric commercial vehicle market on the truck side moving up to light four-wheel trucks, albeit in the GVW range of up to 1.7 to two tonne as of now, the eCanter at 4.25 tonne GVW should make it a good candidate for mid and last-mile deliveries in the e-commerce, parcel and other application areas. 

While it will be clear once DICV chooses to commercially introduce the eCanter under the BharatBenz brand as to what its strategy is, it is no secret that the company makes four Daimler Truck brands – Fuso, BharatBenz, Mercedes Benz and Freightliner – at its Oragadam plant on the outskirts of Chennai. 

In fact, it is the heavy-duty trucks made and exported from the Oragadam plant that has expanded the Fuso brand portfolio in Far East Asian markets where buyers always perceived the truck brand as the one offering light-duty trucks only. 

To be a part of the 14 new commercial vehicles DICV will launch in 2024, the eCanter is a reflection of Daimler Truck's commitment to the Paris Climate Protection Agreement and also its pioneering efforts in the field of modern transportation. 

With growing demand for CO₂-neutral transportation and a clear understanding of safety, the eCanter – which world premiered in Japan and Europe in the second half of 2022 – is being offered in four configurations (4.25-tonne, six-tonne, 7.5-tonne and 8.5-tonne) and two battery packs – S and M. This is in the markets outside of India as of current. 

The S battery pack is of 39/41 kWh capacity and supports a range of 70 km. The M battery pack is of 78/82 kWh and supports a range of 140 km. 

Available in a single cab form for applications such as city distribution (last-mile delivery), the eCanter is available in three wheelbase options – 2,500 mm, 2,800 mm and 3,400 mm. 

If DICV will offer more than one configuration of eCanter in India is not yet clear. The feedback of the seeding is expected to help to decide on such and other parameters. It is possible that DICV will offer the lightest 4.25 tonne configuration at the beginning and follow up with the other two configurations when it confident that the technology and vehicle are well received by the market.  

Efforts to localise the model are being made as part of DICV's strategy from the time it entered the India truck market in 2012, the sources informed.  

While the initial push is expected to be towards institutional buyers, a robust leasing mechanism could get the eCanter is the scope of retail customers as well. As of now, it makes an interesting addition to the commercial vehicle technology landscape of the vast country that India is. 

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

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."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

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.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

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.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

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.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!