IVECO BUS has signed two agreements in Uzbekistan to establish Completely Knocked Down (CKD) production of the DAILY minibus and nationwide distribution of its product portfolio. The move marks an expansion of the manufacturer's presence in Central Asia.

Production is scheduled to commence in May 2026 in partnership with Asaka Motors International. Distribution operations will be managed by ASAKA EFVI TRUCK AND BUS JV. The partners have set a target of 500 units in the first year, with plans to increase annual production and sales to 1,000 units within three years.

The CKD project is intended to support the development of an industrial ecosystem in Uzbekistan. By combining engineering with local manufacturing, the initiative aims to facilitate job creation and technical skills transfer within the national automotive sector.

The initial production programme will focus on the DAILY minibus, including diesel and electric versions. The vehicles are intended for use in urban and intercity transport, corporate fleets and tourism. Local assembly is expected to manage the total cost of ownership and reduce delivery times.

Sascha Kaehne, IVECO BUS AMEA Bus Commercial Operations, said, “The agreements signed in Uzbekistan represent an important step in our international growth strategy. By establishing local CKD production and a robust distribution structure, we are building a solid foundation for long-term development in Central Asia.”

Jalilov Avazbek, CEO, Asaka Motors International, added, “We are proud to collaborate with IVECO BUS to deliver advanced transport solutions in Uzbekistan. This partnership strengthens our industrial capabilities and supports the modernization of passenger mobility in the country.”

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Pune-headquartered automotive company Force Motors has introduced the new Force Traveller N Range, which includes specific applications for ambulances, school buses and delivery vans. This new series is designed to replace the current-generation Traveller entirely, with all future production transitioning to the new range. The Traveller currently maintains a segment share of over 70 percent in India.

The Force Traveller N Range features several upgrades intended to provide a more contemporary experience for drivers and passengers.

The commercial vehicle introduces a car-like cockpit featuring a digital instrument cluster and a 9-inch infotainment screen.

In terms of passenger comfort, it gets ergonomically designed seats, an updated HVAC system for improved cooling, and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels for a quieter cabin.

The exterior features a new front fascia with Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and LED turn indicators, as well as a redesigned rear. The company says the sheet metal structure has been re-engineered to reduce the number of body joints, improving structural integrity and build consistency.

In terms of performance, the Force Traveller N range is powered by the FM 2.6 CR engine, which complies with BS-VI Stage 2 emission norms. To assist fleet operators, the vehicles are equipped with two support systems:

• Force Care: This service package offers extended and parts warranties, roadside assistance and accidental repair support.
• iPulse: An integrated system that provides real-time vehicle tracking and diagnostic capabilities.

Force Motors says it has applied manufacturing processes and quality systems learned from its Urbania model to the new Traveller N Range, utilising advanced technologies such as robotics and automated door hemming. Bookings for the new range will open at dealerships across India starting in mid-May 2026.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, “The new Force Traveller N Range builds on the strong trust the Force Traveller has earned over the years, while making it more refined, capable, and better suited to today’s customer expectations”.

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Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the nation’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has expanded its presence in Odisha with a new light commercial vehicle dealership in Rourkela. This facility represents the company’s seventh LCV outlet in the state, reinforcing a nationwide distribution network that now exceeds 945 customer touchpoints. The product range available includes BADA DOST, DOST, SAATHI, PARTNER and MiTR.

The newly appointed channel partner, SteelEx India, operates a 3S facility covering sales, service and spares at Brahmani Tarang in Vedvyas, Rourkela. Strategically positioned to serve local demand, the site features 12 quick service bays alongside modern infrastructure aimed at delivering a superior customer experience.

With this inauguration, Ashok Leyland continues to strengthen its light commercial vehicle footprint in eastern India, leveraging a robust service backbone to enhance vehicle uptime and owner support in the Rourkela region.

Viplav Shah, Head – LCV Business, Ashok Leyland, said, “Odisha 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 another step in our commitment to delivering world-class products and unmatched service.”

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Pune-headquartered automotive major Force Motors has announced its strongest-ever annual financial performance in FY2026, driven by significant growth in the domestic market and improved operating leverage.

The company reported a 13 percent YoY growth in revenue at INR 91.67 billion, EBITDA at INR 15.93 billion, up 39 percent YoY and a net profit of INR 12.11 billion, up 51 percent YoY.

It attributed the growth to broad-based expansion across primary vehicle platforms, maintaining its dominant position in the van segment while doubling its presence in the premium mobility sector. Force Motors continues to remain a zero-debt company, highlighting a disciplined approach to capital allocation and financial prudence.

The company reported a 20 percent growth in overall domestic wholesales compared to the previous fiscal year. Performance across key platforms includes the Traveller maintaining a consistent 70 percent market share in the core van segment. Urbania recording over 100 percent growth, established as a leader in premium shared mobility.

Trax volume grew by over 70 percent, successfully expanding the company's reach into rural and semi-urban markets. While, demand for specialised vehicles strengthened through institutional and defence portfolio, fulfilling key orders for specialised applications for the Indian Armed Forces.

The record profitability is attributed to an improved quality of earnings and a more balanced product mix. Higher volumes allowed for better absorption of fixed costs, while a focus on higher-margin premium segments, such as the Urbania, bolstered the bottom line.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, “We have been a segment creator since our inception, and we are now pioneering and leading the premium shared mobility segment with Urbania’s strong presence, while platforms like Traveller and Trax continue to deliver scale and reach across markets. At the same time, our engagement with institutional and defence customers reflects the depth of our engineering capabilities and our ability to deliver in demanding and ever‑evolving environments.”

“FY2025–26 marks an unprecedented year in our journey, where consistent execution across quarters has translated into our strongest-ever financial performance. This has been driven by a clear focus on the segments where we believe we can lead and also create new segments, supported by improved operating leverage and a more balanced product mix. As we look ahead, we remain focused on building the business with consistency and discipline. Staying closely aligned to customer needs, while continuing to strengthen our product, technology and innovation capabilities, will remain central to how we approach the next phase of growth,” he added.

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Euler Motors has announced a strategic partnership with Annapurna Finance to expand financing options for electric commercial vehicles (EVs), specifically targeting semi-urban and rural markets in India.

Annapurna Finance joins Euler Motors’ network of over 15 financing partners, offering customised loan solutions for the manufacturer's range of electric three-wheelers and four-wheelers.

The collaboration focuses on fleet operators, small businesses and last-mile entrepreneurs who have traditionally remained outside the mainstream lending ecosystem.

The partnership aims to leverage the unique strengths of both organisations to bridge the credit gap in the commercial EV sector. They will focus on micro-entrepreneurs and MSMEs in underserved regions where formal credit access is often limited. By using Euler Motors’ data-driven insights into vehicle performance and battery health, Annapurna Finance can perform more accurate risk assessments on EV assets.

The initiative aims to improve the unit economics for small operators by providing affordable financing that aligns with the higher uptime and lower operating costs of electric vehicles.

Rohit Gattani, VP of Growth & Vehicle Financing, Euler Motors, said, “Financing remains one of the most critical levers for EV adoption in the commercial segment, especially in markets where access to formal credit is limited. As demand scales, the real unlock lies in reaching operators who have the intent to transition but remain outside traditional lending ecosystems. Annapurna Finance brings a strong, on-ground understanding of these customer segments, particularly in semi-urban and rural markets, which will allow us to extend EV access far more meaningfully. This partnership is about going beyond availability of credit to enabling real participation in the EV economy, with stronger unit economics and more predictable earnings for small businesses and fleet operators.”

Asish Mishra, Head of Product, Annapurna Finance, said, “At Annapurna Finance, our focus has always been on expanding access to credit for segments that are often overlooked by mainstream financial systems. With EVs emerging as a viable pathway for income generation, this partnership comes at a critical time. Euler Motors’ strong product engineering and real-world performance focus give us confidence in the asset itself, which is fundamental to enabling sustainable financing. For our customers, this translates into higher vehicle uptime, better operating efficiency, and ultimately more stable and improved earnings over the long term. We see this as a meaningful step towards building both financial inclusion and clean mobility at scale.

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