India’s commercial vehicle (CV) industry is rapidly aligning with global standards, thanks to policy reforms, evolving customer expectations and a robust domestic ecosystem. Automakers and suppliers are making significant strides in cost competitiveness, safety innovations and integrating alternative energy solutions. As the sector continues to evolve, the need for collaboration and strategic discussions has never been more critical.

Recognising this imperative, Motoring Trends, a leading automotive magazine, hosted its inaugural Commercial Vehicles Conference on 21st November 2024, in Pune, India. Themed ‘Moving India Forward’, the event served as a platform for industry leaders, including OEMs, suppliers, technocrats, fleet operators and industry partners, to address challenges and identify opportunities shaping the future of the Indian CV landscape.

By bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain, the conference underscored the importance of collective action in driving innovation, enhancing safety standards, and adopting sustainable practices. As the CV industry transforms to meet global benchmarks, such forums are vital to ensuring India’s leadership in the sector while addressing its unique market dynamics and needs.

Mahindra Truck & Bus, Ashok Leyland and Apollo Tyres supported the event as sponsors, while Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) was the Associate partner, while Asian Trucker and Tyre Trends were the Media partners. The delegates at the event attended from a range of companies such as Tata Motors, MAN Trucks, Continental India, Tyresoles India, and Volvo Trucks among others.

The event kicked off with Dr Seshu Bhagavathula, Director, CityQ and an automotive industry veteran delivering the Keynote address, where he highlighted how urban cities around the world are working to decongest and decarbonise their streets. “This (decongestion and decarbonisation) requires a serious relook and focus on improving urban mobility as well as the role of alternative energy to support the transition,” Dr Bhagavathula.

Rashmi Urdhwareshe, Former Director, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) shared her perspective on how the automotive industry has been focussing on not just introducing the latest technologies, but also co-developing solutions to meet the India-specific needs. She emphasised  the close cooperation between testing agencies, suppliers and OEMs that is accelerating the transition to the latest technologies.

Making commercial vehicles safer

The commercial vehicle population on Indian roads accounts for a small parc of the total vehicles, but ranks 3^rd when it comes to the vehicles involved in road accidents. In 2022, more than 460,000 accidents took place in India, which resulted in over 168,491 people losing their lives and over 443,366 people being injured.

The first panel discussion of the day focussed on one of the most important aspects pertaining to the CV industry – Safety. The panellists for the session included – Dr Venkat Srinivas, Head Of Business, Mahindra Truck & Bus; Rahul S. Mahajan, Deputy Director, The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI); Sudeepth Puthumana, Head of Segment – ADAS, Autonomous Mobility, Continental Automotive India and Prashant Kakade, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH).

The session, moderated by Bhushan Mhapralkar, Editor, Motoring Trends, touched upon various factors ranging from ADAS technology, and road designing to driver training and sensitisation.

SKP Amarnath, Group Head - R&D, Apollo Tyres gave a presentation on ‘Commercial Vehicle (Truck) Evolution In India And Impact On Tyres’. He dwelled into the key developments that have taken place in the CV industry and how tyres can play a key role in influencing vehicle safety and efficiency.

Vijay Shrinivas, Member, TREA - Tyre Retreading Education Association and CEO, Indag, gave a presentation on ‘Driving Sustainability and Circularity in Commercial Vehicle Industry’. He presented his thoughts on how treading not only helps save costs on tyre replacement but also enables higher circularity and thus helps reduce carbon emissions too.

Alternative energy & future of commercial vehicles

The role of alternative energy has been a key topic of discussion globally across vehicle segments. While there has been a focus on electrification in certain vehicle classes, the commercial vehicle segment will need to adopt a mixed approach depending on the application and use case.

The second panel discussion was on the topic of Alternative Energy and the Future of Commercial Vehicle. The panellists – Dr Bhagavathula ; Mahesh Babu, CEO, Switch Mobility; Anil Baliga, President, EKA Mobility; Boddapati Dinakar, Executive Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Volvo Trucks, VECV; Shailesh Zinge, Director - Marketing, Growth Initiatives and Program Management, Engine Business, Cummins India and A Ramasubramanian, CTO, Blue Energy Motors presented their perspective on the alternative fuel segment.

The session was moderated by Nilesh Wadhwa, Assistant Editor, Motoring Trends.

The discussion focussed on how industry stakeholders were exploring various energy mix ranging from electric, LNG to future fuels such as hydrogen and fuel cells. The panellists agreed that globally too at present there was no single fuel that could completely overhaul the commercial vehicles segment. There was a need to not only focus on the vehicles but the necessary charging/refuelling ecosystem.

Transport ecosystem

The health of the CV industry is one of the key barometers to understand a country’s economic prosperity. While one can discuss the trends, policies and technologies, it is imperative that the views of the key stakeholder – fleet operators – are taken into account.

The third panel discussion of the day was on the topic of ‘Transport Ecosystem’. The panellists for the session were - Bal Malkit Singh, Chairman - the Core Committee, Former President, All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) Prasanna Patwardhan, President, Bus & Car Operators Confederation Of India (BOCI) and Sanjay Sasane, Principal, Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR).

The session, moderated by Sharad Matade, Executive Editor, Motoring Trends, had an indepth discussion on how fleet operators continued to face headwinds ranging from increases in operational expenses, driver shortages and road infrastructure among others. At the same time, the revenues had not kept up at the same pace. The panellists also presented their perspectives on the adoption of newer technologies and alternative fuels.

Atul Patil, Vice-President – Marketing, Pin 365 delivered the Vote of Thanks. 

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Switch Mobility, a subsidiary of the Hinduja Group and a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, has commenced delivery of its Switch EIV12 low-floor electric buses to the Department of Transport, Delhi. The buses are part of a landmark 950-unit order awarded under the CESL tender and were officially flagged off by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

The deployment marks a significant step in Delhi's transition toward sustainable urban mobility. Manufactured at Switch’s facility in India, the buses are a testament to the company's ‘Make in India for the World’ vision, combining global technology with local manufacturing.

Designed for Delhi’s demanding urban transit, the 12-metre buses can accommodate 39 passengers and are equipped with advanced safety and convenience features, including a wheelchair ramp, CCTV cameras, panic buttons and GPS tracking.

R G Venkataraman, Chief Commercial Officer, Switch Mobility, “We are delighted to commence delivery of our SWITCH EiV12 electric buses to Delhi, reinforcing the capital’s leadership position in sustainable urban transportation. These low floor electric city buses, engineered with advanced global technology and manufactured with pride in India, will significantly enhance Delhi’s public transport ecosystem while contributing to cleaner air and improved quality of life for millions of commuters. This deployment underscores our commitment to empowering Indian cities with intelligent, efficient and eco-friendly transportation solutions that drive progress towards a more sustainable future.”

The new buses utilise the company’s proprietary telematics system, Switch iON, for real-time monitoring and efficient fleet management. Additionally, they feature a streamlined, ultra-low-floor design for easy boarding and are equipped with a fire detection and suppression system for enhanced safety. This rollout aligns with the Delhi Government's aim to have the highest number of electric buses in India, with the potential to reduce CO2 emissions and provide safer commutes for millions of daily passengers.

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Piaggio Vehicles (PVPL), a subsidiary of the Piaggio Group and leading manufacturer of small commercial vehicles, has partnered Hinduja Leyland Finance.

The partnership aims to provide Piaggio Vehicles’ customers access to retail finance options on its three-wheeler range, including electric and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles in India.

Diego Graffi, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles, said, “India’s mobility landscape is evolving rapidly. From small entrepreneurs to fleet operators, a new class of owners is emerging, and they need financing that understands their realities. With this partnership, Piaggio and Hinduja Leyland Finance are bringing together the strength of two trusted brands to make vehicle ownership simpler, faster, and more accessible. Together this partnership can enable progress, powered by mobility that people can truly call their own.”

Sachin Pillai, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Hinduja Leyland Finance, said, “This partnership brings together our expertise in vehicle financing and Piaggio’s presence in the three-wheeler segment to help customers acquire and manage their vehicles efficiently. Leveraging our extensive network and reach across India, Hinduja Leyland Finance aims to provide solutions that support last mile connectivity, asset ownership, and income generation for customers across the segment. By combining our financing reach and agility with Piaggio’s product offerings, we are making the 3-wheeler ownership more accessible for the customers through a customised financing process”. 

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Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group, has opened a new 3S dealership for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) in Agra, marking its fifth LCV dealership in Western Uttar Pradesh. Operated by channel partner Maya Autotech, the new dealership is equipped with advanced tools and quick-service bays to provide a superior customer experience. It will offer Ashok Leyland's full range of LCVs, including the Bada Dost, Dost, Saathi, Partner and MiTR models.

It was just recently, the company entered the sub-2-tonne segment with the launch of the Ashok Leyland Saathi. Powered by a new-generation 45 hp engine, the Saathi features an industry-leading payload capacity of 1,120 kg and the largest loading area in its class.

On the other hand, the popular Bada Dost is available in five variants and is equipped with an 80 hp BS6 engine, offering high power, mileage, and payload capacity. The Dost range includes the Dost Xl and Dost+ XL, while the Partner is a fuel-efficient load carrier available in both 4-tyre and 6-tyre options. The MiTR bus, built on the same platform as the Partner, comes in staff and school bus variants.

Viplav Shah, Head of LCV Business at Ashok Leyland, said, “Uttar Pradesh has always been a key market for us, and we are delighted to deepen our presence here with the new dealership in Agra. Our journey with customers in this region has been shaped by trust, performance, and shared progress. The new dealership in Agra builds on the remarkable success of our Dost, Bada Dost and now the Saathi range, which continue to earn the trust of customers for their superior mileage, performance, and reliability. Our strong network and an exceptional service retention rate of nearly 70 percent reflect the deep confidence customers place in us. This dealership is another step forward in our commitment to deliver world-class products and unmatched service, ensuring an exceptional experience for every customer.”

Ashok Leyland’s LCVs were developed to meet the specific needs of Indian customers, combining modern technology with competitive pricing. The company has a significant presence in the segment, with over 550,000 LCVs currently operating across India.

All of these LCVs are manufactured at Ashok Leyland's state-of-the-art plant in Hosur. With a network of more than 1,700 exclusive outlets nationwide, the company aims to have an authorised service center every 75 km on major highways.

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Tata Motors, one of India's biggest commercial vehicle makers, has partnered with its Sri Lankan distributor, DIMO, to launch 10 new commercial vehicles. The launch, which includes a range of trucks and buses, marks a significant expansion of Tata Motors' offerings in the country and celebrates the 65th anniversary of its partnership with DIMO.

The new line-up, the company shared, is designed to meet a wide array of cargo and passenger needs, offering robust, efficient and reliable transport solutions for Sri Lanka's evolving market. The vehicles are engineered for durability across challenging terrains while ensuring comfort and operational efficiency.

Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, said, “With a rich legacy and deep understanding of the Sri Lankan market, we have introduced application-oriented vehicles to meet the country’s growing infrastructure, public transportation, and logistics needs. This enhanced portfolio delivers a compelling proposition of superior performance, reliability, and optimised total cost of ownership — empowering customers to achieve greater efficiency and profitability. Backed by DIMO’s enduring partnership of six and a half decades, we are confident that these advanced offerings will set new benchmarks and catalyse the next phase of progress in Sri Lanka’s growing mobility landscape.”

Ranjith Pandithage, Chairman, DIMO, said, “For over 65 years, DIMO has proudly represented Tata Motors in Sri Lanka, introducing advanced commercial vehicles that continue to set new benchmarks in performance and reliability. This latest range embodies the future of transport — blending world-class engineering with solutions designed for our market’s evolving needs. Underpinned by DIMO’s unmatched after-sales expertise we ensure every vehicle delivers sustained performance and value throughout its lifecycle. Together with Tata Motors, we remain committed to driving sustainable growth and shaping a high-performance mobility ecosystem for the country.”

Cargo Solutions

Intra-city logistics: The Ultra series of trucks (T.7, T.9, T.12, T.14, and 1918.T) are built on Tata Motors’ next-gen smart truck platform, offering high fuel efficiency and enhanced manoeuvrability for last-mile delivery and city logistics.

Long-haul transport: The Prima 5530.S and Signa 5530.S prime movers are designed for heavy-duty and long-haul operations. These models are equipped with advanced technology to improve fuel efficiency and safety, making them suitable for demanding infrastructure projects.

Passenger Solutions

Inter-city travel: The LPO 1622 Magna bus is engineered for long-distance journeys with enhanced passenger comfort, featuring advanced safety technologies like Electronic Stability Control and air suspension for a smooth ride.

Staff transport: The Ultra Prime LPO 8.6 and LPO 11.6 buses provide cost-effective and fuel-efficient solutions for employee mobility, with ergonomic seating for 34 and 40 passengers, respectively.

To support the new fleet, DIMO is providing comprehensive, customer-centric services, including: 15 strategically located service centres for maintenance and genuine spare parts. Extended warranty on selected models, offering coverage for up to 3 years or 300,000 km. Customised Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) to ensure optimal vehicle performance.

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