A new nationwide initiative in the United Kingdom is set to standardise and elevate maintenance standards in the commercial vehicle sector, which has completed its pilot phase and is set for wider rollout. The Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme (MPRS), unveiled at the Commercial Vehicle Show, introduces a tiered rating system for HGV workshops across the UK, aiming to improve safety, reduce MOT failures, and boost compliance.

The scheme offers five levels – Entry, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum – providing commercial vehicle operators with a clear and independent assessment of a workshop’s competency and facilities. By offering greater transparency, the MPRS allows fleet operators to make better-informed decisions on where to service and maintain their vehicles.

The MPRS was jointly developed by a coalition of key industry bodies: Logistics UK, the Road Haulage Association (RHA), Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE), Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) and the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA). It is also backed by government authorities, including the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Department for Transport (DfT).

A key component of the scheme’s development was an 18-month pilot programme, with Daimler Truck workshops used as a benchmark to define scoring criteria for competency and facility standards. Daimler Truck played a close advisory and operational role throughout the process.

“As an OEM, Daimler Truck UK has welcomed being involved in the development of the MPRS as we believe it is important for the commercial vehicle industry to be setting new standards,” said Amy Carter, Head of Product, Daimler Truck UK. “It has needed a consistent, nationwide rating scheme for a long time.”

Carter added that Daimler Truck sees the MPRS as a crucial step forward in aftersales service. “In the longer term, we hope customers start asking workshops for their MPRS ratings and that dealers start promoting their own scores,” she said. “The MPRS now provides a useful independent benchmark to prove that when a customer sends their fleet into our workshops, they’re being looked after to the highest standards.”

Daimler Truck UK has committed to having MPRS ratings for every dealer in its network by the end of 2025.

Workshops that participate in the MPRS will not only demonstrate their commitment to excellence but also gain a competitive advantage through enhanced reputation. The scheme is expected to drive further investment in staff training and workshop facilities across the commercial vehicle maintenance sector.

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Pune-headquartered automotive major Force Motors has reported domestic wholesale growth of 49 percent in December 2025, reaching 2,952 units compared to 1,985 units in December 2024.

The automaker stated that for YTD FY2026 it sold 24,920 units, marking a 25 percent growth over the same period last year.

Quarterly performance showed momentum with Q3 domestic wholesales rising 47 percent to 8,427 units, up from 5,723 units in the corresponding quarter. The company attributed these figures to demand across its vehicle platforms, specifically the Traveller and Urbania ranges. According to the company, the tour and travel segment is showing signs of revival through fleet expansion and intercity movement, while school mobility remained steady.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, “December has been another strong month for us, and it is encouraging to see positive momentum across our core platforms. We are beginning to witness clear signs of revival in the tour and travel segment, supported by rising intercity movement and renewed fleet expansion. School mobility has also remained steady through the holiday period, reflecting growing institutional confidence as we head into the new year. The continued traction for Urbania across urban and emerging markets, along with the commanding market leadership of the Traveller range, underscores the trust customers place in Force Motors. Together, these trends point to a broad-based strengthening of demand and give us a solid foundation as we step into 2026”.

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Mumbai-headquartered Tata Motors has reported its domestic commercial vehicle (CV) sales of 107,918 units for Q3 FY2026, which marks an 18 percent YoY growth, as compared to 91,260 units sold last year.

For December 2025, domestic CV sales stood at 40,057 units, up 24 percent YoY, over 32,369 units sold a year ago.

On the other hand, the company sold 2,451 units in the international market, up 63 percent YoY.

Girish Wagh, MD & CEO, Tata Motors, said, “The sales momentum ignited by GST 2.0 and the festive surge in Q2FY26 continued into Q3FY26, driving growth and lifting overall sentiment of the commercial vehicles industry. Tata Motors registered double-digit sales growth in Q3FY26, powered by a strong rebound in construction and mining activity post the extended monsoon, along with sustained demand from core sectors and auto logistics. Continued strength in SCVs and Pickups further amplified performance, resulting in wholesales of 115,577 units, with 21 percent YoY  growth over Q3FY25 and 22 percent sequential growth over Q2FY26. Going forward, we expect demand to strengthen in Q4FY26 across most commercial vehicle segments. Key drivers in 2026 will include the government’s sustained infrastructure push and expansion in end-use sectors, both of which are expected to fuel positive momentum for the industry. With an optimised portfolio ensuring superior product availability, a decisive pricing strategy, and deeper customer engagement through intensified market activations, Tata Motors is well-poised to unlock demand across segments, paving the way for continued success.”

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Chinese automotive major Dongfeng Motor Industry (DFMIEC) has launched the Dongfeng X9 fuel tractor in Vietnam.

The company showcased the X9 tractor alongside other models, including the X7 tractor, X3 tractor and various cargo trucks.

The event included technical briefings on the fuel performance and mechanical specifications of the X7 and X3 models. Currently, Dongfeng tractors rank among the top five CV players in the Vietnamese market. The introduction of the X9 is intended to expand the company's product matrix as the local government seeks to reduce logistics costs and transition towards high-quality transport infrastructure.

Wang Long, Chairman of DFMIEC, said, “Vietnam is one of the most dynamic and promising countries in the ASEAN region, with its industrialisation and urbanisation processes accelerating continuously, bringing broad growth space for the logistics industry. Driven by three major favourable factors – the expansion of infrastructure and logistics networks, the transfer of manufacturing industries and the rapid development of the digital economy, the market demand for logistics and transportation vehicles has maintained a steady growth. DFMIEC will move forward hand in hand with its partners to contribute to the development of Vietnam's transportation industry.”

The principal of the Vietnamese partner noted that the collaboration has reached a deeper level with the arrival of the X9. Dongfeng plans to continue its international strategy by investing in localised development and expanding its overseas footprint. The company intends to focus on resource investment to support the upgrading of the logistics sector in the ASEAN region.

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The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) of Tamil Nadu has launched its intercity transport service with the induction of 20 Volvo 9600 15-metre seater coaches. The fleet was flagged off by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin, at Island Grounds, Chennai.

The move is part of the state government's programme to upgrade public transport and provide long-distance travel options. The ceremony was attended by transport officials and government dignitaries, including the Minister for Transport, S S Sivasankar.

The Volvo 9600 coaches are manufactured at Volvo Buses India’s facilities and represent the current generation of the company’s bus range in the country.

The buses have a 51-seat layout designed for long-haul operations. Each unit is fitted with seats featuring calf support. It is engineered for ride quality, safety and operational reliability.

The coaches will operate on several major routes within Tamil Nadu and to neighbouring states, including:

• Chennai to: Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Tiruppur, Salem, Thanjavur, Trichy, Nagercoil and Tiruchendur.
• Inter-regional: Coimbatore–Bengaluru and Trichy–Tiruchendur.

Suresh Chettiar, Executive Vice-President – Bus Division, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “We are proud to partner with SETC and the Government of Tamil Nadu in strengthening Tamil Nadu’s intercity transport ecosystem with the induction of Volvo 9600 coaches. These buses are engineered to deliver world-class comfort, safety, and operational reliability, supporting SETC’s vision of providing a superior travel experience to passengers while raising benchmarks for public transport in Tamil Nadu.”

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