Tata Motors And DIMO Launch 10 New Trucks And Buses In Sri Lanka
- By MT Bureau
- August 23, 2025
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.
Eicher Trucks & Buses Opens Exclusive Pro X Dealership In Faridabad
- By MT Bureau
- March 24, 2026
Eicher Trucks & Buses, a unit of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd (VECV), has inaugurated a dedicated dealership for its Eicher Pro X small truck range in Faridabad. Operated by Shree Motors, the 12,000 sqft 3S facility integrates sales, service and spares under one roof.
The facility situated on NH-19 (Delhi–Mathura–Agra corridor) provides access to fleet operators in Northern India's industrial and logistics hubs. The dealership is part of Eicher's ‘born-digital’ network, featuring an omni-channel retail model. Interactive digital displays and a dedicated customisation zone allow customers to configure vehicles according to specific requirements:
- Technical Specifications: Load deck options and cargo body requirements.
- Fuel and Aesthetics: Choice of fuel types and exterior colours.
- Connectivity: Access to Eicher’s 100 percent connected vehicle data and uptime support.
The infrastructure is designed to support last-mile logistics by focusing on vehicle uptime through trained technicians and advanced diagnostic tools.
Ramesh Rajagopalan, EVP, Customer Service, Retail Excellence and Network Development, VECV, said, “Faridabad holds strategic importance as a prominent industrial and logistics hub in North India, supporting diverse sectors such as e-commerce, parcel and courier services, FMCG distribution, and industrial goods movement. With the addition of Shree Motors Private Limited’s exclusive Eicher Pro X dealership, we are strengthening our footprint in the region while enhancing our capability to serve businesses that depend on efficient last-mile transportation. We are delighted to onboard the Shree Motors team into the Eicher Pro X network and remain committed to delivering intelligent, connected, and customer-focused mobility solutions to our customers across Faridabad and nearby markets.”
Daimler Buses Produces 40,000th Mercedes-Benz Tourismo
- By MT Bureau
- March 20, 2026
Daimler Buses has reached a production milestone with the 40,000th Mercedes-Benz Tourismo rolling off the assembly line in early 2026. The high-deck coach, which debuted in 1992, remains a high-volume model within the European touring sector.
The Tourismo has transitioned through three generations, expanding from a single 12-metre variant to a range of models between 12 and 14 metres in length.
- First Generation (1992): Launched as the O 340 and later the O 350, it established a position in the business-class coach segment.
- Second Generation (2006): Introduced two- and three-axle variants and integrated the Electronic Stability Program (ESP). By 2015, the model surpassed 10,000 sales and added Lane Assist and emergency braking systems.
- Third Generation (2017–Present): Focused on aerodynamic efficiency, achieving a drag coefficient of cw = 0.33. This generation introduced Active Brake Assist 4 and Sideguard Assist.
The current iteration, highlighted by the 2023 Safety Coach upgrade, includes several technical advancements aimed at operational efficiency and passenger protection. It features Active Brake Assist 6 Plus, MirrorCam, Frontguard Assist and Attention Assist.
The bus now features an automatic body-lowering function that drops the chassis by 20 mm at 79 kmph to improve fuel economy. Maintenance is supported by the Omniplus digital platform, which includes an eShop for parts and 3D-printed components produced locally to reduce the CO2 footprint.
Mirko Sgodda, Head of Marketing, Sales and Customer Services at Daimler Buses, said, “Across all three generations of the high-deck coach, Daimler Buses has consistently further developed and refined the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo concept. We have always kept our customers, bus drivers and passengers in mind. This applies to efficiency, comfort, design and, of course, exemplary active and passive safety. This is the only way the Tourismo could become Europe’s best-selling touring coach.”
TVS Motor Company Launches TVS KING Ka Vaada 3.0 Customer Support Initiative
- By MT Bureau
- March 19, 2026
TVS Motor Company has announced the launch of ‘TVS KING Ka Vaada 3.0’, an expanded value-added scheme for its three-wheeler portfolio. The initiative extends beyond vehicle maintenance to include financial security and protection benefits for customers and their families.
The updated programme introduces personal and family protection measures alongside traditional vehicle support.
Personal accident coverage for up to INR 1 million in the event of death or permanent disability. Education support of INR 100,000 per child for up to two children in the event of death or permanent disability. Hospitalisation income of INR 4,000 per day for up to 30 days during medical confinement. Three free services and roadside assistance across the range.
The scheme applies to both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric Vehicle (EV) models in the passenger and cargo segments.
|
Model Category |
Warranty Period |
Roadside Assistance |
|
Passenger ICE (Deluxe, Duramax Plus) |
2 Years |
1 Year |
|
TVS King EV Max |
6 Years |
3 Years |
|
Cargo Models (Kargo HD, Kargo HD EV) |
Up to 6 Years |
3 Years |
Industry Representative Warns Of Middle East Tensions Impacting Road Transport
- By MT Bureau
- March 18, 2026
In what is seen as a global energy crisis on the back of the ongoing war between Iran and USA-Israel, is now also expected to have an impact on the Indian transport sector.
Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor & Former President – All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), has called for proactive government measures to protect the economy and the road transport sector from the effects of escalating tensions in the Middle East. The warning follows a surge in crude oil prices to nearly USD 95 per barrel and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz as of late February 2026.
The road transport sector is experiencing a slowdown due to reduced industrial output. Industry observations indicate a decline of up to 50 percent in certain segments, with projections suggesting this could reach 70–80 percent if current disruptions persist.
Furthermore, it can also lead to rising prices for fuel, lubricants, tyres and AdBlue (urea). He has expressed concerns over driver migration due to fewer work opportunities and the closure or price increases at highway eateries.
The ‘energy war’ scenario is impacting the wider MSME ecosystem, leading to higher production costs and operational challenges for small businesses and trading establishments.
Singh has urged the government to implement policy support to maintain economic stability, emphasising that the transport sector serves as the lifeline for domestic trade.
Proposed interventions include:
- Deferment of Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs).
- Introduction of soft loan schemes.
- Targeted tax relaxations for transporters and MSMEs.
Bal Malkit Singh, said, “The current geo-political developments are an early warning signal for our economy. The road transport sector, being the lifeline of trade and commerce, is already experiencing stress due to reduced movement and rising operational costs. If timely interventions are not considered, the situation could escalate significantly in the coming weeks. It is essential to support MSMEs and transporters through relief measures such as deferment of EMIs, soft loan schemes, and tax relaxations to ensure business continuity and economic stability.”
Image credit: Samuel Wolfl/Pexels

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