Prawaas 4.0, organised by the Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), successfully concluded on a high note. 

Hosted in Bengaluru for the first time, the event saw over 6,153 operators, 171 exhibitors, 106 speakers, 15 sessions and over 40,000 expo footfalls from across 28 states and 8 Union Territories. The event was supported by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.

From its inception in 2017, Prawaas has become the premier platform for the showcase of public transport innovation. This year’s exhibition showcased over 171 leading exhibitors, featuring national and international brands in passenger mobility showcasing the latest innovations. Emphasising ‘Safe, Smart, and Sustainable Passenger Mobility,’ the event highlighted significant advancements and underscored the industry’s commitment to continual progress.

Prawaas 4.0 brought together leading bus and car operators from across India in nine important segments – Intercity, Intracity, School Bus, Employee Transport, Tour Operators, Tourists Cabs, Maxi Cabs, PPP-SPVs and Critical Care. Participation from operators’ saw a large delegation from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, significant numbers from Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, West Bengal and special delegation of more than 80 members from North East region.

The ‘BOCI YUWA – The Confluence of Generations for a Sustainable Future’ session brought together emerging leaders and seasoned experts from the Indian bus industry to strategise for the next 50 years, with expert moderation by Vijeta Soni, Co-Founder & CEO of Sciative Solutions and notable insights from panelists such as Prasanna Patwardhan, President of BOCI, and Nandal Kabra from Srinath Travels.

A notable highlight was the unveiling of the ‘RTO Manual’ by Anil Chhikara, Advisor to the Assam Government and Faculty at the Asian Institute of Transport Development, Delhi. This manual aims to provide clear guidance on resolving challenges, facilitating quicker and more effective solutions through a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Awards

The Prawaas Excellence Awards and redBus People’s Choice Awards were the standout highlights of the event. The event culminated in a grand awards ceremony, often referred to as a ‘Festival of Transporters’, celebrating excellence across categories including the redBus People’s Choice Awards and the Prawaas Excellence Awards. These prestigious awards were presented by esteemed dignitaries along with Prakash Sangam, CEO of redBus, and Manoj Agarwala, Chief Business Officer of redBus. The People’s Choice Awards by redBus honoured three STUs: Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) in the large size category, Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) in the medium size category, and Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) in the small size category. Additionally, the Rising Star Awards spotlighted five emerging talents — ACLS Navigator, Highline Transports, PTC-SKYBUS, Sri Garuda Travels, and Radha Vallabh Travels — poised to shape the future of transportation.

The Prawaas Excellence Awards, honoured top operators across a range of categories, including Best Large Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size 100+ Buses), Best Medium Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size 10-99 Buses), Best Small Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size up to 10 Buses), Best School Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size minimum 5 Buses), Best Employee Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size 20+ Buses), Best Employee Taxi Operator of the Year (Fleet size 20+ Taxis), Best Private Stage Carrier of the Year, Best Tourist Bus Operator of the Year (Fleet size 20+), Best Tourist Taxi Operator of the Year, and Woman Bus/Car Operator of the Year. These awards celebrated excellence in the transport sector, recognising exceptional service and innovation. 

Prawaas 4.0 also saw major announcement such as Ashok Leyland introducing its Garud 15M bus chassis, designed for exceptional performance, while VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) presented its 'passenger-centric' transportation solutions. Tata Motors unveiled its next-generation mobility offerings, and Sun Mobility, in collaboration with Veera Vahana, launched India’s first modular battery-swapping technology for heavy electric vehicles (HEVs), including buses and trucks. Nippon Paint India also displayed its innovative Futuristic ColourPod. 

At the PRAWAAS Exhibitor Awards, the winners for Interactive & Best Managed exhibits included Volvo Eicher Commercial vehicles and Veera Vahana Udyog in the large category, AbhiBus and Spheros Motherson in the medium category, and Aditi Tracking in the small category. For Content & Information, JBM Electric Vehicles and Eberspaecher Suetrak Bus Climate Control System won in the large category, Bitla Software and Viva Composite Panel in the medium category, and Flixbus in the small category. In the Innovative Display category, Tata Motors and Nippon Paint were recognised in the large category, redBus and Urrja Bus Decor in the medium category, and Maruti Suzuki in the small category.

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The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a rating system for commercial driving. The partnership aims to establish a framework for driving standards, insurance assessments and background checks.

The project focuses on creating a technology stack to support a digital public infrastructure for a nationwide rollout. This initiative addresses the current difficulties in monitoring commercial driver performance, safety and well-being, which are often affected by inconsistent standards and limited accountability.

The system will use data-driven approaches, leveraging smartphone inputs and vehicle sensor data to evaluate driving behaviour. The goal is to provide fleet operators, insurers and government bodies with a tool to track performance and compliance in real time.

Prof Gitakrishnan Ramadurai, Project Coordinator at IIT Madras, said, “Trucks and truck drivers are the backbone of our country. This project provides them an aadhaar for their good work. The driver rating system rewards good driving and helps correct risky driving thereby saving lives, money and time for all stakeholders.”

The collaboration combines academic research with industrial application to translate data into scalable products. By incentivising responsible driving, the system is intended to improve employability for drivers and provide data for policymaking.

Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations at IIT Madras, said, “IIT Madras has been at the forefront of research in road safety and mobility, with the goal of building systems, processes, and infrastructure that ensure safer outcomes for our roads, drivers and commuters. Our partnership with Daimler is a testament to our shared commitment to this vision and also emphasises how industry-academia collaborations play a crucial role in translating research into impactful, scalable and ready-to-implement products and processes that deliver meaningful societal impact.”

For Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, the partnership aligns with corporate sustainability goals focused on driver professionalism and safety within the transport ecosystem.

Alexander Schoen, Chief Financial Officer, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, stated, “At DICV, road safety and responsible mobility are central to how we approach sustainability. This collaboration with IIT Madras reflects our commitment to using technology and data-driven innovation to create meaningful, scalable solutions that improve driver safety, professionalism, and well-being across the commercial transport ecosystem. By contributing to the development of a universal driver rating framework, we aim to support safer roads, stronger livelihoods, and a more accountable mobility system for India.”

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German technology company ZF Group has appointed Jake Morris as the Site Leader for ZF Hub UK, located in Solihull, effective from 1 January 2026.

Morris assumes responsibility for the leadership of the technical centre, which opened in 2021 to support the company’s research, development and manufacturing footprint in the UK.

He has spent over 25 years with ZF, holding positions in portfolio management, finance, purchasing and engineering. In addition to his new role, he will continue to oversee the global steer-by-wire strategy, a technology that replaces mechanical steering connections with electronic signals. His previous experience as Portfolio Director involved managing steering product strategies for mobility technologies.

At present, the Solihull facility serves as a centre for advanced engineering and testing across the automotive, industrial and aerospace sectors. The site has contributed to the development of autonomous driving systems and steer-by-wire technologies. It houses a testing facility used by both ZF and external customers to validate new technologies within the UK’s automotive sector.

Morris succeeds Bal Panaser, who is retiring following a career of more than 40 years in the automotive industry. Panaser was involved in the establishment and management of ZF’s operations in the UK. Morris will now focus on the site’s integration into ZF’s global technology roadmap and the delivery of engineering solutions.

“I am proud to take on this role and to lead the talented teams at the ZF Hub UK. The site has a strong legacy within both ZF and the automotive industry, with significant history of automotive technology development and testing. For instance, technologies including ZF’s autonomous driving and Steer-by-Wire technologies began life at the site. I look forward to working closely with colleagues and partners to continue delivering innovative technology solutions for our customers and supporting ZF’s long-term success,” said Morris.

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Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) have announced plans to establish a new standalone bus company, which will be headquartered in Kawasaki, Japan.

The new entity will be led by Katsuto Kora as the designated Chief Executive Officer. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.

The partnership involves Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing (MFBM) and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, which will cooperate on the development, production, supply chain management and sales of zero-emission buses, starting with the MODEL T and MODEL U models. Operations will be based at a plant in Toyama, where vehicles will be manufactured under the FUSO brand.

The new OEM brand will focus on the launch of electric buses for domestic and international markets while maintaining the existing internal combustion engine portfolio. By using local development and production, the company aims to comply with Japanese regulations and quality standards. The project integrates Foxconn’s software and electronics expertise with MFTBC’s experience in commercial vehicle manufacturing.

The new entity will function as a dedicated original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The collaboration follows a previous memorandum of understanding regarding zero-emission mobility. MFTBC is 89.29 percent owned by Daimler Truck AG, with the remainder held by Mitsubishi group companies.

Karl Deppen, CEO, MFTBC, said, “We are excited to join forces with Foxconn. This collaboration will combine the strengths of both parties to accelerate our transformation in the bus sector. By combining FUSO and Foxconn’s extensive experience and technological know-how, we will offer customers state-of-the art solutions for public transport, thereby contributing to society both in Japan and abroad.”

Jun Seki, Foxconn Chief Strategy Officer for EVs, added, “Mobility is a strategic priority for Foxconn. This collaboration with MFTBC will provide a comprehensive electrification solution for Japan’s transportation ecosystem. This approach will significantly shorten development cycles and enhance cost-efficiency.”

Katsuto Kora, designated CEO of the new company, stated, “The new joint venture will integrate the corporate cultures of both companies, blending Japan’s spirit of manufacturing excellence with Foxconn’s agility and technological prowess. Given the extensive existing partnerships of both shareholders, we expect even broader collaboration opportunities in the field of future technologies in the years to come. Our focus will be on meeting customer expectations not only for current conventional ICE improvement but also for zero-emission transportation and leading FUSO bus into a new era of digitalisation and electrification.”

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Ashok Leyland, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has reintroduced the Taurus and Hippo nameplates to its heavy-duty truck portfolio.

In its new avatar, the Taurus will serve as the brand’s high-horsepower tipper range, while the Hippo anchors the tractor segment. Both vehicles are built on the AVTR modular platform, allowing for various configurations to meet specific haulage requirements.

The new range is powered by an 8.0-litre A-Series 6-cylinder engine, producing 360 HP and 1,600 Nm of torque. These vehicles feature reinforced chassis and heavy-duty drivetrains designed for mining, infrastructure and construction applications. The modular architecture is intended to improve component life and fuel efficiency while reducing driver fatigue through updated cabin ergonomics.

The Hippo was a prominent heavy hauler from the 1980s until the early 2000s, while the Taurus was known as the first multi-axle truck in India. The reintroduction of these names targets the medium and heavy commercial vehicle (MHCV) industry, specifically segments involving bulk commodities, industrial raw materials and over-dimensional cargo (ODC) transportation.

Bookings and deliveries for both ranges have commenced through dealerships nationwide. The company aims to use these models to consolidate its position in the high-horsepower segment of the Indian market.

Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, “Taurus and Hippo are purpose-built for heavy-duty requirements of mining, infrastructure, and construction applications. The new truck range is powered by Ashok Leyland’s A-Series 6-cylinder engines, now with industry-leading peak torque and power, delivering unmatched durability and reliability, higher productivity and faster turnaround times.”

Sanjeev Kumar, President – MHCV, Ashok Leyland, added, “Hippo and Taurus aren't just product names; they are legends that earned the trust of generations of Indian transporters. These names became synonymous with heavy-duty performance across Indian highways and mining sites, and that's the legacy we're building upon. Tippers and tractors are among the fastest-growing segments in the MHCV industry, playing a critical role in India’s infrastructure growth. Operating in harsh terrains and extreme conditions, these vehicles demand superior reliability, robustness, and driver comfort.”

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