In what may come as a welcome push for road safety in India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) plans to launch a new safety assessment rating for trucks and commercial vehicles on the lines of the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP).

The announcement was made by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, while inaugurating a two-day workshop of Vehicle and Fleet safety jointly organised by the Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP) and the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE).

“The idea is to encourage manufacturers to improve the production quality, making vehicles safer. Similarly, the government is already working on standards and a safety assessment system for battery-operated e-rikshaws in the country, as they suffer from safety issues. The safety improvement in e-rickshaws will improve their quality and generate more employment. India accounts for the highest number of fatal road accidents with 4.8 lakh road crashes each year resulting in 1.8 lakh deaths. The government’s top priority is on road safety, expansion of safe highways and vehicle safety and bolstering electric vehicles. The ministry is also working on reducing logistics cost to 9 percent in the next couple of years from the present 14-16 percent, as the automobile industry plays a key role in India’s economic growth.”

He further added that MoRTH was now also working on a law to determine the working hours for truck drivers. At present, many truckers continue to drive vehicles for 13-14 hours a day, as the country is facing a shortage of truck drivers.

The government also plans to set up 32 state-of-the-art driving institutes across the country. Air conditioning of driver compartments has already been made mandatory by the ministry. Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) to assist drivers has also been made mandatory”, the minister added.

It was just a few days back government introduced road safety as part of the school curriculum for students of classes 1-12, the modules are expected to be introduced in the current academic year.

David Ward, President Emeritus, Global NCAP, said, “Consumers in India with most vehicles having GNCAP and BNCAP assessment ratings have a better choice of safer vehicles. It is a good moment towards the UN objective of road safety by 2030.”

Dr Rohit Baluja, President, IRTE, added, “The two-day workshop will review progress in vehicle safety worldwide and in India since 2000 and the priority actions needed to achieve further improvements by 2030 and beyond. In particular, the meeting will examine efforts to improve automobile safety worldwide by reviewing the progress made by the G20 major economies, including India, to implement the Global Plan vehicle safety recommendations and feature special sessions on fleet and motorcycle safety.”

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SANY is set to make a significant impact at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 trade show, taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The company will present its most comprehensive portfolio to date for the North American market, featuring an expansive display of machinery, digital technology and service capabilities. Operating under the theme ‘Together, We Move the Future Forward’, SANY will highlight the convergence of robust performance, intelligent innovation and lasting customer relationships as key drivers for the industry's evolution.

Visitors to Booth F44054 will encounter an impressive lineup of 32 machines and 17 attachments, with the spotlight on 10 newly introduced models engineered specifically for North American requirements. Among these, the SY10U Mini Excavator stands out for its zero tail swing design, providing exceptional manoeuvrability in confined spaces. Its operation is enhanced by a full hydraulic load sensing system, a suspension seat and wide armrests, ensuring a premium operator experience. The larger SY335LC Medium Excavator is powered by a substantial 9L Cummins engine generating 209 kilowatts. This powertrain delivers 204 kN of bucket force and 153 kN of arm force, resulting in digging performance that is both powerful and precise for its class.

In the lifting category, the SCA3300A Lattice Boom Crawler Crane incorporates a smart windshield that automatically adjusts its tint based on sunlight intensity. It also offers an optional auxiliary power unit designed to optimise energy savings and lower emissions. Similarly, the SCA1100TB Telescopic Crawler Crane features an optional APU to reduce fuel consumption and engine wear, while a 360-degree surround view monitoring system enhances safety during lifts. The new generation SW940L Wheel Loader integrates a Cummins B6.7 engine with ZF transmission and drive axles. Its advanced full electronic control system ensures compatibility with mainstream attachments and enables intelligent functions like automatic limit control, one-touch bucket shake, parallel lift, tyre pressure monitoring and smart attachment selection and positioning. The STH5519 Telehandler comes standard with reversing radar and load moment protection. An integrated multifunction joystick is designed to improve operational efficiency by 20 percent, while a stability coefficient exceeding 1.3 promotes safer lifting operations.

Beyond the equipment itself, SANY will demonstrate a suite of intelligent solutions aimed at minimising downtime and maximising productivity. These include the SANY AI Service Assistant, which provides intelligent diagnostics, interactive fault identification and quick parts identification for efficient maintenance. The SANY RootPilot system offers high precision 3D guidance for smarter and faster construction processes. In a compelling live demonstration, SANY will remotely control an excavator located in Huzhou, China, directly from its US showroom, a distance of over 6,500 miles, using AI-assisted technology with one-click digging and loading capabilities. These technological demonstrations will be complemented by a showcase of SANY's comprehensive service capabilities, all designed to ensure equipment operates smoothly and reliably.

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Companies from the commercial vehicle, transport and logistics sectors are set to present their latest transport and logistics solutions at IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hannover from 15 to 20 September 2026. The organisers state that early registration data indicate an 11 percent increase in exhibitors compared to the same period in 2024, with several exhibition halls already overbooked.

The event maintains an international exhibitor rate of 70 percent, with significant representation from China, Turkey and Italy. Notably, 23 percent of the participants are attending the trade fair for the first time.

Renault Trucks and Mercedes-Benz Vans have confirmed their return to the event. They join a roster of manufacturers including BYD, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Dongfeng, Ford Trucks, KIA, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, VW Commercial Vehicles and Volvo Trucks. New participants for 2026 include e-van manufacturer FLEXIS and charging infrastructure provider Zerova.

Suppliers currently form the largest exhibitor group. Participating firms include Robert Bosch, BPW Bergische Achsen, MAHLE and the ZF Group. Body manufacturers such as Fliegl Fahrzeugbau, Krone Trailer and Schmitz Cargobull will also be present to showcase global products.

The IAA Conference will address industry trends such as fleet electrification, charging infrastructure, automated transport, AI and hydrogen solutions. A dedicated area will also be provided for startups to present ideas for the transport sector.

The IAA Experience allows visitors to trial innovations through four formats:

• Test Drives: Supervised trials of zero-emission light and heavy commercial vehicles on public roads or the grounds.
• ADAS & Telematics: Practical demonstrations of driver assistance systems.
• Cargobike Parcours: A testing environment for cargo bike innovations.
• Shuttle Bus: A loop service using vehicle innovations to connect exhibition halls.

Jurgen Mindel, Managing Director, VDA, said, "The once again strong resonance from leading companies all over the world impressively shows how committed our industry is to shaping a sustainable future for the commercial vehicle and transport sectors. In 2024, exhibitors at IAA TRANSPORTATION already set new standards as drivers of innovation. In 2026, we are coming back and proving once again: we deliver. As organisers, we are pleased to offer this progressive industry a fitting stage for their innovations once more."

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Swaraj Tractors, part of the Mahindra Group, has renewed its partnership with former Indian Cricket team captain MS Dhoni as the brand ambassador. The association began after the former Indian cricket captain purchased a Swaraj tractor for his personal farm operations.

The partnership enters a phase focused on brand evolution and visibility. Swaraj Tractors intends to use Dhoni’s image to support upcoming product introductions designed for the requirements of farmers in India.

To mark the extension of the agreement, Swaraj Tractors has launched a digital video campaign (DVC) titled ‘Bharosa’. The campaign focuses on three core pillars – power, trust and reliability.

Dhoni will feature in integrated campaigns across multiple platforms. The brand aims to maintain its legacy while adopting a contemporary outlook to engage with progressive segments of the agricultural market.

Gaganjot Singh, CEO, Swaraj Division Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “MS Dhoni reflects the ethos of Swaraj — dependable, authentic, and consistently focused on performance. This partnership has helped us strengthen our connect with customers while reinforcing the values that define the brand. As we move ahead, his association will play an important role in building greater resonance for Swaraj across markets and supporting our efforts to present the brand with contemporary outlook and energy while staying true to its legacy.”

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Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, has inaugurated a new authorised BharatBenz dealership, Agile Trucking, in Raniganj, West Bengal. The facility is intended to support industrial and infrastructure corridors in the eastern region of India.

Located on NH2, the dealership is situated near the industrial hubs of Durgapur and Asansol. The site provides sales, service, and spares (3S) support to fleet operators, railway sidings and construction logistics providers.

The dealership is spread across 85,000 sqft and operates 24 hours a day to assist with vehicle uptime. It features 12 service bays and 4 accident repair bays. It can service over 500 vehicles every month and is also equipped with four Mobile Reach Vans (MRVs) for roadside assistance. The facility employees 65 personnel trained for technical and sales support.

The inauguration brings the total number of BharatBenz touchpoints to 418. DICV plans to add 32 more locations in 2026 to reach a total of 450. In West Bengal specifically, the company operates 11 workshops and intends to add five more during 2026. Additionally, a new Regional Training Centre (RTC) is scheduled to open in Kolkata by the fourth quarter of 2026 to train engineers for the dealership network.

Rajiv Chaturvedi, President & Chief Business Officer, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said, “West Bengal continues to be a key market for BharatBenz, driven by infrastructure development, industrial activity, and freight movement along major national highways. The inauguration of the Agile Trucking dealership in Raniganj further strengthens BharatBenz’s footprint in southern West Bengal. West Burdwan is a strategically important district with strong industrial and infrastructure activity. With this modern 3S facility, we are reinforcing our commitment to delivering reliable products, faster service turnaround, and a superior ownership experience for our customers. Currently, 418 BharatBenz touch points are there with this facility and in 2026 we will add total 32 more touch points to improve reach to 450 touch points in total. We have 11 Service workshops in West Bengal and we will add 5 more touchpoints in 2026. We are also going to start new RTC in Kolkata by Q4’2026 to provide trained engineers to our dealerships which in turn will improve customer service experience.”

Vijayakumar K, CEO, Agile Trucking, added, “The launch of this new BharatBenz facility in Raniganj reflects our long-term commitment to the region. With advanced infrastructure, a skilled team, and round-the-clock operations, we aim to support our customers with dependable service and help them achieve higher vehicle uptime and operational efficiency.”

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