John Deere completed 25 years of its services in India this year. On this occasion, a press meet was held at the John Deere factory in Pune, India today. Ramakant Garg, Director – Sales and Marketing, John Deere India; Shailendra Jagtap, Managing Director and Country Manager, John Deere India; and Mukul Varshney, Director – Corporate Affairs, Media, PR and Communications for John Deere in India, Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific addressed the media.

Over its 25 years, John Deere has shown commitment to investment in manufacturing and product development in India, including –

• Tractor manufacturing locations in Pune (Maharashtra) and Dewas (Madhya Pradesh).
• Electronics system manufacturing in Pune (Maharashtra).
• India Engineering Centre in Pune (Maharashtra).
• Enterprise Technology Centre in Pune (Maharashtra).
• Global IT Centre in Pune (Maharashtra) and Bengaluru (Karnataka).
• Parts Distribution Centre in Nagpur (Maharashtra) and Indore (Madhya Pradesh).
• John Deere Finance in Pune (Maharashtra). 
• 1,200 touch points under 580 channel partners across the country, 22 branch offices and four zonal training centres. 
• Wirtgen Group, a John Deere Company Pune (Maharashtra).

John Deere has continued to innovate, invest and leverage manufacturing, talent and India’s supply chain through these 25 years to serve farmers in India and around the world – all designed to enhance farm productivity through technologically-advanced products and services. The latest example is the 5M series tractor and a production system approach that offers higher horsepower, advanced features and precision technology aimed to reduce the cost of farming operations and enhance income levels. The introduction of John Deere’s products and solutions are recent examples of the company’s efforts to provide farmers a wide range of technologically-superior farm solutions including tractors, harvesters and hi-tech implements.

Jagtap asserted that John Deere is leading the way to bring technologies to tractors and farm equipment that lower the overall cost of farm operations by reducing the number of operations needed in the field and efficient use of fertilisers and chemicals. These are essential for additionally meeting sustainability goals and reduced emissions – both of which help meet Deere’s strategic ambitions to protect the environment. For instance, he said that the introduction of technologies such as a front PTO (power takeoff) and specially designed front farm implements have helped reduce the cost of some operations by more than 25 percent while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Varshney said, “John Deere is the world’s leading manufacturer of agriculture and turf equipment, products and solutions also serving the construction and forestry industry. It is uniquely positioned to deliver both economic and sustainable value for our customers through advanced technology and solutions. Our 25-year journey in India has witnessed a transformation in Indian agriculture as well. At John Deere, we are truly living our higher purpose – We run so life can leap forward.

Jagtap cited, “Our journey in India began 25 years ago with the introduction of advanced product features such as power steering, oil immersed disk brakes, planetary reduction, force feed lubrication, high torque machines and value-add technologies, such as front PTO, perma clutch, AutoTrac, PowrReverser and JDLink. John Deere continues to innovate and introduce these advanced features in India which are now becoming industry standard. The farmers ’outlook is progressive, and they adopt technologies when they see value and cost benefits.”

Jagtap went on to share that Deere remains committed to support the food security mission of the country as well as the changing dietary requirements of the growing populations. He additionally noted that Deere is proud to lead India from subsistence farming to agri-entrepreneurship. “Our efforts for a wholistic farm solution and inclusion of women farmers in the farm mechanisation journey have been immensely valued by our customers. We see pride in their families as we help women farmers skill themselves and become economically independent,” he said.

John Deere also provides financial solutions for wholesale as well as retail customers. For any country, agriculture is vital for its economic stability, inclusive growth and food security. Jagtap mentioned that when it comes to agriculture, there are some challenges like soil erosion, limited energy resources and growing population. He averred, “We need to reduce the impact on the environment while carrying out agriculture. When we bring in a technology or product or solution, we need to take care of the soil and the environment.”

Adding to this, Garg said, “We continue to make technologies that also improve the comfort and convenience of the farmers. The need of an equipment varies according to the geography; we provide the same as per the climate of a place and the financial solutions. Many of the technologies introduced way back in 2000 have become technology norms over time.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pune-headquartered alternative commercial vehicle maker Blue Energy Motors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) under the PARIVARTAN Scheme. The partnership aims to facilitate the replacement of commercial vehicles with electric trucks within the Delhi-National Capital Region.

The initiative supports the transition to freight mobility options by incentivising the replacement of transport units. Blue Energy Motors deploys electric and liquefied natural gas truck platforms across freight routes, accumulating operational distance and reducing emissions.

Anirudh Bhuwalka, Founder & Managing Director, Blue Energy Motors, said, "The PARIVARTAN Scheme is an important step towards accelerating the transition to cleaner freight mobility in India. Our participation reflects Blue Energy Motors’ commitment to supporting the Government’s vision for sustainable transportation and enabling wider adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks. We believe that the right policy support, coupled with advanced technology and a strong domestic manufacturing ecosystem, can play a pivotal role in accelerating India’s transition towards zero-emission freight transportation."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

SWITCH Mobility Ltd, a global leader in electric buses and light commercial vehicles and part of the Hinduja Group, has joined forces with intercity operator PURPLE BUS to roll out the region's first electric bus service linking Nagpur and Chandrapur, widening the operator's Vidarbha footprint. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari oversaw the ceremonial dispatch of the inaugural six units, drawn from a 50-bus EiV12m intercity electric order placed by Purple Bus for deployments across Vidarbha.

Organisers chose Dussehra, a festival traditionally viewed as favourable for fresh ventures, as the launch date, a nod to the manufacturer's continuing push for safe, dependable and sustainable public transport in the region. Travellers between the two cities stand to gain better connectivity along with a safe, comfortable and eco-friendly way to travel.

The Nagpur–Chandrapur service is the third intercity project this year between SWITCH Mobility and Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions, building on electric coach launches along the Mumbai–Pune and Dombivli–Pune corridors in April 2026 and October 2026, respectively. The recurring tie-up points to rising operator confidence in electric buses for high-frequency intercity routes and to SWITCH Mobility's growing part in India's shift towards sustainable intercity travel.

The new route strengthens the partnership with Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions and furthers the company's wider aim of making zero-emission public transport accessible in Indian cities and towns. Linking key Vidarbha centres, the service is expected to ease daily commutes, boost local economic activity and speed the move towards cleaner intercity mobility. The EiV12m coach, engineered for long-distance journeys, pairs 45 pushback seats and a 350 km per-charge range with fast-charging capability, advanced safety systems, a quiet ride and SWITCH iON connected technology for real-time monitoring.

Ganesh Mani, Chief Executive Officer, SWITCH Mobility, said, “Nagpur and Chandrapur share a close economic and cultural relationship, and strengthening this corridor with our partner Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions is an important step in our mission to build future-ready public transport across India. Following our deployment on the Mumbai–Pune route earlier this year, we are glad to extend this partnership to Vidarbha and to contribute to the region’s growth by supporting the everyday movement of the people who depend on it. This launch reaffirms our commitment to sustainable, people-first mobility solutions in Maharashtra and beyond.”

Saurabh Patwadhan, Director, PURPLE BUS, said, “At PURPLE BUS, our goal is to make electric the default way people travel between cities, not the exception. We are building that future route by route, from Mumbai–Pune, one of India’s busiest corridors, to Nagpur–Chandrapur, where we now bring Vidarbha its first electric bus service. Our fleet has already covered more than one million kilometres (1,000,000 km) in electric intercity operations, and the data shows what many operators doubted: electric coaches deliver a lower total cost of ownership and a lower cost per passenger-kilometre than diesel. Our partnership with SWITCH Mobility has been central to proving that, and it gives us the confidence to scale sustainable intercity mobility across Maharashtra.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

European commercial vehicle major Scania has inaugurated its research and development proving ground in Södertälje, representing an investment of SEK 975 million. The 85-hectare site includes 13 kilometres of paved road and 4 kilometres of gravel road to support testing across electrification, autonomous driving, safety systems and vehicle dynamics.

The facility incorporates three irrigated braking tracks constructed from asphalt, concrete and basalt tiles, enabling testing across varied friction surfaces and cornering conditions. The site also features specialised environments for evaluating driver assistance technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane support and blind-spot warning systems, alongside scenarios for autonomous vehicle development. The construction project integrated environmental measures, including ECO asphalt and renewable HVO100 fuel for logistics, avoiding approximately 30,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.

Christian Levin, President and CEO, TRATON GROUP and Scania, said, "The transformation of transport requires us to continuously strengthen the way we develop and validate new technologies. This investment is about building the capabilities we need for the future while ensuring that the solutions we bring to our customers have the safety, quality and performance they expect."

Sara Forsberg, CTO and Head of Brand Identity Development at Scania, said, "New technology only creates value when it performs in the real world. The R&D proving ground gives our engineers greater possibilities to test, learn and validate solutions under demanding conditions. It strengthens our ability to turn innovation into solutions that deliver real value for our customers."

Niklas Klingenberg, Head of Group R&D, TRATON GROUP, said, "Advanced testing and validation capabilities become increasingly necessary as we develop the next generation of transport solutions. The R&D Proving Ground is an important addition to our landscape and strengthens our ability to turn new technologies into proven solutions."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Eicher Trucks & Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles, has inaugurated a 3S dealership facility in Noida for its Eicher Pro X small truck range. Operated by Punjab Mobility, the 7,000-square-foot facility is located on NH-34 at Dadri in Gautam Buddh Nagar, providing integrated sales, service and spare parts support.

The showroom will sell the 3-tonne and 3.5-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight range of small commercial vehicles across electric, diesel and compressed natural gas powertrain options.

The location provides access to industrial and logistics hubs across Noida, Greater Noida and the Dadri region, including the Multi-Modal Logistics Hub and the Dadri-Noida-Ghaziabad Industrial Region, with transport connectivity via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and the Yamuna Expressway.

Abhishek Chaudhary, Senior Vice-President of SCV Sales & Marketing, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, "The Eicher Pro X range is designed for the evolving needs of last-mile logistics, with a strong focus on efficiency, connectivity, driver comfort and uptime. With three energy-efficient powertrains, 100% connected technology and multiple configuration options, it is engineered for applications including e-commerce, parcel courier, FMCG and industrial goods movement. Punjab Mobility Private Limited’s presence strengthens our presence in Noida and brings the Pro X range and enhanced ownership support closer to customers across the Delhi-NCR region. Born electric-first, the Eicher Pro X offers customers in the NCR the opportunity to switch to electric trucks that are approved under the PARIVARTAN scheme."

The dealership infrastructure features digital vehicle configurators, dedicated workshop bays, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and EV-trained service personnel. To support vehicle uptime across the National Capital Region, the facility operates mobile service vans and breakdown assistance units alongside power backup systems.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!