Tata Motors, one of India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, has received order from the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) to supply 1,000 units of the Tata LPO 1618 diesel bus chassis.

The order was won by Tata Motors following a competitive e-bidding process conducted through the Government tendering process. The bus chassis will be supplied in a phased manner as per mutually agreed terms.

This latest order follows the successful fulfilment of a similar, larger order of 1,350 bus chassis received last year. The Tata LPO 1618 diesel bus chassis is designed to meet intercity and long-distance travel.

Anand S, Vice-President and Head – Commercial Passenger Vehicle Business, Tata Motors, said, "We are delighted to continue to partner UPSRTC in their efforts towards expanding and improving public transport. The Tata LPO 1618 bus chassis is engineered to deliver robust and reliable mobility with high uptime and low maintenance and operating costs. We look forward to commencing supplies as per the guidance of UPSRTC.”

Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has officially announced that it has decided to increase the prices for its entire range of commercial vehicles by up to three percent. The price hike will come into effect from January 2025.

All goods in the range will be impacted, albeit the degree of the price rise will differ based on the model and version. Higher commodity costs and inflation have made this price hike necessary. This action will lessen the impact of input costs to some extent, says the company.

The statement further reiterated that the company remains committed to innovation, excellence, operational efficiency and sustainability in the space of commercial vehicles.

JCBL Marrel Tippers (JML), a leading manufacturer of specialised trailers, POL tankers and bowsers, special application export-oriented containers and components for the US and European market has expanded its manufacturing facility in Oragadam, Chennai.

The expansion the company claims will increase its production capacity by 25 percent and will allow to diversify its product offering across sectors including defence, automotive, navy, railways, construction equipment, petroleum transportation, mining, power transmission, and earth moving heavy fabrication components.

The company expects this move will create 200 new jobs and opportunities for around 40 new suppliers in the geography.

In addition to the existing 100,000 square feet, JML has operationalised more than 60,000 square feet of facility space in the first phase of expansion. Another 50,000 square feet facility has been planned for its second phase expansion. For FY2026, JML expects to further expand its facility for new projects.

Rishi Aggarwal, MD, JCBL Group, said, “At JML, innovation and responsibility go hand in hand. This expansion is about more than scaling up production; it is about creating a greener, more sustainable future for the automotive industry. By integrating green technologies and adopting the lean manufacturing principle, we ensure that we can meet growing customer demand while minimising our environmental footprint.”

Mahindra Construction Equipment (MCE), a part of Mahindra Group, has launched its new CEV5 range of construction equipment at the ongoing BAUMA CONEXPO 2024 event.

Upgrading the existing lineup, the new CEV5 range of construction equipment is in line with the latest industry norms and provides advanced features. Apart from Mahindra BSV construction equipment like RoadMaster G100 and EarthMaster SX & SXe, the Mahindra pavilion at the India Expo Centre displayed the extensive range of trucks for the construction segment, which includes BLAZO X 48 CLS 10x4 tipper, BLAZO X m-DURA 35 8x4 tipper, BLAZO X 28 transit mixer with 7.5 cum capacity drum and FURIO 10 fuel bowser with 6KL capacity.

Powered with Mahindra IMAXX advanced telematics, the new CEV5 range of construction equipment upgrades the existing Earthmaster Backhoe Loader and Roadmaster Motor Grader with a higher power 74 HP and 102 HP engines, respectively, with CEV 5 emission standards. The MTB range of tipper, transit mixer and fuel bowser range, on the other hand, comes with double service guarantees, i.e. ‘Back on Road in 48 hours or get INR 1,000 per day’ and ‘36 Hours Turnaround Time from Dealership Workshop or get INR 3,000 per day’.

Dr Venkat Srinivas, Business Head – Truck and Bus & Construction Equipment, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, said, “Our consistent efforts to introduce cutting-edge products and technologies, coupled with emphasis on local manufacturing, exemplifies the company's strong support for the Make in India initiative. The introduction of the new CEV5 range of construction equipment at BAUMA CONEXPO reaffirms Mahindra's commitment towards the sustainability goals set by the Government of India. The new CEV5 range is a testament to the agility of our engineers, who have developed these products with a clear focus on performance. The range is specially equipped with a larger, more comfortable cabin to enhance operator productivity.”

The Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), the apex body representing passenger transport operators across the country, has announced its new committee list for a three-year tenure.

The industry body has elected Prasanna Patwardhan as the National President, A Afzal as National Vice-President, Dharmaraj D.R as General Secretary, Harsh Kotak, as Treasurer and Babu Panikar as the Additional Secretary.

Patwardhan who will continue to lead BOCI as the National President said, “I am deeply honoured to continue serving as the National President of BOCI, and I thank the members for their continued trust and support. The passenger transport industry is at a transformative juncture, requiring concerted efforts to adapt to evolving mobility needs. Public transport, as a pillar of sustainable and inclusive mobility, is central to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. BOCI is committed to strengthening the ecosystem by advancing solutions such as Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and enhanced last-mile connectivity, ensuring that public transport becomes more accessible, seamless, and efficient for all.”

He stated that the industry body will focus on fostering innovative practices, driving meaningful collaborations, and establishing international partnerships to ensure that the industry remains aligned with global advancements and emerging trends.

“As we gear up for 2025, our collective efforts will be directed toward addressing industry challenges, enhancing operational efficiencies, and creating a sustainable roadmap that empowers both operators and passengers. Together, we will continue to elevate the standards of the sector, ensuring it significantly contributes to India’s growth story,” said Patwardhan.