The commercial vehicle industry witnessed a decline of 1 percent in overall sales for February 2025.

A total of 79,883 units were sold last month across segments as compared to 80,954 units for the same period last year.

The country’s largest CV maker Tata Motors reported a 8 percent decline in overall sales, with SCV Cargo and Pickup segment witnessing the sharpest drop (-20 percent YoY). The ILMCV Trucks segment, however, showed growth at 11 percent.

Mahindra & Mahindra reported a 4 percent increase in total sales, driven by a 9 percent rise in LCV (2T-3.5T) and a 23 percent jump in LCV >3.5T & M&HCV. However, the LCV < 2T segment dropped 21 percent.

Ashok Leyland experienced modest growth (2 percent overall), with M&HCV Trucks (+1 percent) and LCV (+5 percent) offsetting the M&HCV Bus decline (-5 percent).

Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles grew 6 percent YoY, indicating steady demand.

The slight market decline was led by weaker small commercial vehicle (SCV) and passenger carrier demand, affecting Tata Motors significantly. However, medium & heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) trucks and LCVs in the 2T-3.5T range showed resilience, benefiting Mahindra & Mahindra and Ashok Leyland.

While challenges remain in certain segments, sustained growth in the LCV and HCV categories suggests stable demand in core logistics and transportation sectors.

Representational image: IEA

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Chennai-headquartered commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group, has inaugurated its new light commercial vehicle dealership in Raichur, Karnataka.

This marks the company's 12th light commercial vehicle dealership in Karnataka, expanding its national sales and service distribution network to more than 945 touchpoints.

Thew new dealership is operated by channel partner SB Motors, the facility is located in Mukram Gunj, Raichur. The location functions as a sales, service and spares outlet, equipped with seven service bays and maintenance tools. The dealership will retail and service Ashok Leyland's light commercial vehicle portfolio, which includes the Saathi, Dost, Bada Dost, Partner and MiTR models, all produced at the company's manufacturing plant in Hosur.

The product range targets various payload segments within small commercial vehicle and light commercial vehicle applications.

The Saathi, which operates in the entry-level small commercial vehicle category, powered by a 45-horsepower engine producing 110 Nm of torque, with a payload capacity of 1,120 kg.

The Bada Dost features an 80-horsepower BS VI engine available across six variants for urban and intercity transport. The Dost range includes the Dost XL and Dost+ XL models, while the Partner covers the four-tonne payload sector in four-wheel and six-wheel configurations using the ZD30 engine. The MiTR platform provides passenger transport options for staff and school bus applications.

Viplav Shah, Head of Light Commercial Vehicle Business, Ashok Leyland, said, "Karnataka 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, and the opening of this new dealership marks yet another step in our commitment to delivering world-class products and unmatched service to our valued customers."

At present, Ashok Leyland has an operational base of over 600,000 light commercial vehicles across India.

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Thermo King, a brand of Trane Technologies, has introduced four models to its all-electric EV series transport refrigeration lineup in the Asia Pacific region. The expanded series includes the EV500S, EV500e, EV300e and EV200e models, designed for urban temperature-controlled logistics.

The EV500S and EV500e units target urban distribution networks, including the transit of produce, e-commerce fresh goods and pharmaceutical supplies. The smaller EV200e and EV300e models are designed for short-haul last-mile retail deliveries from urban cold storage distribution facilities. The company shared that across the lineup, operating energy efficiency has increased by 8.3 percent compared to first-generation models.

Helen Ling, Vice-President, Thermo King Asia Pacific, said, "The shift to electric vehicles is transforming urban cold chain distribution, where balancing energy efficiency and temperature stability remains critical. Backed by more than a decade of electric refrigeration expertise, our new EV series marks another step forward in delivering greater energy efficiency, stronger reliability and smarter digital capabilities to customers while supporting more sustainable cold chain transport."

The units feature an intelligent control architecture that maintains interior cargo temperatures within a margin of 0.5 degrees Celsius. An economy mode option allows operators to limit power consumption during transport to conserve vehicle battery range. The hardware platform includes fault protection, automated defrost logic and waterproof casing to allow all-weather operation.

For fleet management, the series offers optional integration with an intelligent monitoring system using industrial-grade hardware. The telematics platform provides two-way remote control functionality, allowing operators to adjust compartment temperatures, modify operating states and clear system alarms via mobile applications, while retaining historical temperature records for compliance verification.

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has expanded its commercial vehicle lineup with the launch of the Veero 1.1 XXL CNG and the Upgraded Veero Diesel.

The under-3.5-tonne LCVs are built on the company's Urban Prosper Platform (UPP). The Upgraded Veero Diesel is available across dealerships from 8 September 2026, while customer deliveries for the Veero 1.1 XXL CNG are scheduled to begin on 20 September 2026.

The Veero 1.1 XXL CNG incorporates a 1.1-tonne payload capacity and a 2,900 mm cargo deck. It features a 5.1-metre turning radius and is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine delivering 48.5 kW of power and 98 Nm of torque. The LCV has an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency range of 21.4 km/kg, with a combined petrol and CNG driving range exceeding 450 kilometres. Ex-showroom prices for the CNG model start at INR 825,000 for the V2 1.1 XXL SD variant and INR 855,000 for the V4 1.1 XXL SD variant, with an INR 5,000 premium for the Pastel Riversand colour option.

The Upgraded Veero Diesel adds interior equipment updates, including a 26.03 cm touchscreen infotainment system supporting Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and multi-language voice commands. Additional mechanical and convenience additions include cruise control, Lean NOx Trap (LNT) exhaust treatment technology, power windows, fast-charging ports, and remote air conditioning control via the iMAXX telematics platform. Standard cab features include an air conditioning system with heater, a reclining driver's seat, flat-folding seating and a three-person seating layout.

The Upgraded Veero Diesel range spans multiple configurations and is priced at INR 829,000 for the 1.5 XL SD V2 variant, while 1.5 XXL variants range from INR 835,000 for the V2 CBC frame to INR 945,000 for the V6 SD trim.

The 1.6 XXL variants start at INR 8.49 for the V2 SD model, extending to INR 945,000 for the V6 SD option. Metallic grey paint options carry an INR 5,000 price premium across the diesel variants.

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Truck rentals across trunk routes held firm in August, supported by demand ahead of the festive season, according to the Shriram Mobility Bulletin published by Shriram Finance.

The report states that month-on-month rental increases were led by the Mumbai–Kolkata–Mumbai and Bengaluru–Mumbai–Bengaluru corridors, which rose by 2 percent each. The Kolkata–Guwahati–Kolkata route recorded an increase of 1.9 percent, while the Delhi–Kolkata–Delhi route rose by 1.7 percent.

On the other hand, on a year-on-year basis, the Delhi–Kolkata–Delhi route recorded rental growth of 15 percent, followed by Bengaluru–Mumbai–Bengaluru and Kolkata–Guwahati–Kolkata at 11 percent each.

Shriram Finance states that vehicle sales data indicated sequential moderation across multiple categories in August. Commercial tractor and agricultural trailer sales fell by 35 percent MoM, while agricultural tractor sales declined by 27 percent. Sales of maxi cabs, buses and e-rickshaws decreased by 20 percent, 18 percent and 17 percent, respectively. Goods carrier sales dropped by 10 percent, while passenger motor cars and two-wheelers each recorded a 6 percent sequential decline.

In terms of YoY vehicle registrations, the automotive industry maintained growth across categories with the three-wheeler goods vehicles recording a 43 percent growth, maxi cabs by 29 percent and earth-moving equipment rose by 27 percent. Two-wheeler sales increased by 20 percent, goods carriers by 18 percent and passenger cars by 16 percent.

In Kerala, driven by Onam, two-wheeler sales grew by 17.90 percent MoM and 19.09 percent YoY, while four-wheeler sales declined by 3.73 percent MoM, while remaining 9.30 percent higher YoY.

Electric vehicle registrations experienced sequential reductions while expanding on an annual basis. Electric two-wheeler sales declined by 10 percent MoM, electric three-wheelers by 3 percent and electric cars by 13 percent. On a yearly basis, electric three-wheelers sales grew by 98 percent, electric two-wheelers by 90 percent and electric cars by 87 percent.

Fuel consumption patterns showed petrol consumption increasing by 1 percent MoM, while diesel consumption declined by 13 percent. For yearly basis, the same saw a growth of 7.9 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively.

FASTag toll collection volumes grew by 1 percent MoM with value increasing by 0.6 percent, while on yearly basis the same saw a decline by 5 percent, while total value increased by 8 percent.

Sudarshan Holla, Joint MD and COO, Commercial Vehicles, Shriram Finance, said, "The onset of the festive season, led by Onam celebrations in Kerala, has boosted sentiment across the transportation sector. Freight activity remained robust, with truck rentals holding firm on major trunk routes. Consumer demand also strengthened, as evidenced by a notable surge in two-wheeler sales during the festive period. At the same time, transporters are engaging with government authorities to seek relief from the upcoming restriction on BS-IV trucks entering the NCR, scheduled to take effect from November 1."

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