VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), recently hosted Jan Thesleff, the Ambassador of Sweden to India, at its manufacturing facilities in Pithampur. He was accompanied by Markus Lundgren, Counsellor and Head of Trade section, Embassy of Sweden and Sofia Hogman, Swedish Trade Commissioner, Business Sweden.

The CV maker states that its VE Powertrain plant is a successful symbol of India-Sweden collaboration. The facility leverages India’s skilled workforce and technical expertise while positioning VECV as a hub for development and manufacturing that meets global standards. Notably, VEPT has been producing Euro 6 (BS VI) compliant engines since 2013, supplying over 40 countries.

Jan Thesleff said, “Currently, more than 280 Swedish companies operate in India, contributing to sectors ranging from automobiles and communications to healthcare and defence, directly generating over 240,000 jobs. The Eicher-Volvo joint venture exemplifies the strategic benefits of this partnership by harnessing the strengths of Sweden and India and fostering mutual growth and technological advancement. I am thoroughly impressed by the advanced technology products and sustainable manufacturing processes I witnessed today at VECV. Their remarkable achievements epitomise the shared innovation, growth, and sustainable development that Sweden-India partnership continues to deliver for the benefit of both nations.”

Vinod Aggarwal, Managing Director & CEO, VECV, said, “We are honoured to welcome His Excellency Ambassador Jan Thesleff and the team from the Swedish Embassy to our Pithampur facility. Over the past 16 years, the VECV joint venture has not only driven the modernisation of India’s commercial vehicle sector but has also enabled Volvo Group to source world-class engines and components, made in India, for its global requirements. The success of this joint venture is rooted in the principles of trust, mutual respect, and win-win collaboration, combining Volvo Group's technology leadership with Eicher’s deep understanding of the Indian market. VECV looks forward to building on this success in the future”.

At present, the company sells CNG, LNG, electric and diesel trucks and buses in India under the Eicher and Volvo brands.

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Eicher Trucks and Buses, a business unit of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), has launched the Eicher Pro X Diesel, expanding its offering in the 2-3.5 tonne Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) segment.

The new diesel model follows the earlier release of the Eicher Pro X EV, providing both electric and diesel options for customers and regions requiring diesel power.

The Pro X Diesel features a new E449 diesel engine developed to deliver fuel efficiency and power for performance across terrains. The model is built as an 'Expert' solution for small firms, fleet operators and first-time buyers, focusing on performance, uptime and ownership.

The vehicle includes the segment’s largest cargo deck (10 feet 8 inches) and offers a long service interval of 30,000 km. This combination is intended to increase the goods carried per trip and reduce operating costs. The Eicher Pro X Diesel has been tested across India’s varied conditions for use in applications such as e-commerce, FMCG and regional logistics.

Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “With the launch of the Eicher Pro X Diesel, we are taking another significant step in transforming last mile logistics in India. The Eicher Pro X range – now available in both electric and diesel variants – reflects our commitment to serve our customers as they transform logistics in India’s Amrit Kaal. Co-created with customers, the range combines Eicher’s proven expertise in fuel efficiency, reliability and superior uptime with the operational flexibility that many businesses seek from a diesel powertrain. This launch strengthens Eicher’s presence in the rapidly evolving small commercial vehicle segment and aligns with our vision to partner India’s progress with smart, sustainable and efficient logistics solutions.”

S S Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “The Eicher Pro X Diesel is a state-of-the-art product designed for customers and drivers in the large SCV segment. It introduces segment-leading comfort and safety features, including a crash-test certified metallic cabin, ergonomic D+2 seating, driver state monitoring system (DSMS) and daytime running lamps (DRL). Intelligent connectivity through the My Eicher App, predictive diagnostics, remote immobiliser and real time monitoring through the 24x7 Uptime Centre support further enhances operational control and security, delivering peace of mind for owners.”

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Swedish commercial major Volvo Trucks recently won the 2025 Green Truck Award for its Volvo FH Aero model. The win demonstrates the impact of the company's technologies and innovations on fuel efficiency, with the Aero cab and aerodynamic improvements contributing to fuel consumption and CO2 emission reductions.

The company's push for fuel savings includes a new in-house developed stop/start engine feature, which builds on the existing I-See and I-Roll technologies.

The feature works by constantly monitoring road data and road curvature. The engine is temporarily turned off when an oncoming downward slope is identified along the route. When the engine is off, zero fuel is consumed, resulting in no CO2 tailpipe emissions.

The functionality is activated at speeds above 60 kmph. Depending on conditions like topography and ambient temperature, the new I-Roll with Engine stop/start will cut up to 1 percent of fuel and CO2 emissions on top of already achieved savings.

The new feature will be offered on the Volvo FH and FH Aero with the 13-litre diesel engine. Customers can order it from November 2025.

Jan Hjelmgren, Head of Product Management, Volvo Trucks, said, “Our engineers have done it again – innovating a new engine technology that contributes to making transport by truck more fuel-efficient. As part of our decarbonisation strategy, we will continue to innovate to make our combustion engines even better and to reduce our impact on the environment.”

Volvo Trucks’ overall decarbonisation strategy includes combustion engines powered by renewable fuels, battery-electric and fuel-cell electric trucks.

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Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has announced that Satyakam Arya, its Managing Director and CEO, has been designated as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hino Motors. The appointment is planned to come into effect from 1 April 2026.

In the new strategic position, Arya will move to Tokyo, Japan to manage Hino Motors’ global operations and transformation. This move marks a significant leadership decision for the planned integration of Daimler Truck and Toyota Motor Corporation’s commercial vehicle subsidiaries, Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino Motors.

Achim Puchert, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck Holding, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and BharatBenz, said, "Satyakam has been an outstanding leader during his time with us, demonstrating exceptional expertise in commercial vehicle operations and a deep commitment to customer success. His strategic acumen and proven ability to drive transformation position him perfectly for this new leadership role. We wish him all the best in his new role and in the years ahead."

Under Arya’s leadership, DICV is said to have achieved record profitability growth across its truck and bus portfolio while doubling its customer base. The company’s dealership network expanded from 182 to over 385 locations nationwide.

On sustainability, DICV became India's first commercial vehicle manufacturer to switch to 100 percent renewable energy. The company also secured the country's first IGBC Green Factory Building V2 certification. DICV led industry innovation by introducing EU safety standard ECE R29-03 cabin compliance, launching products like TorqShift (AMT) tippers and the HX Series, and navigating a seamless BS VI OBD2 transition.

"India's commercial vehicle industry is entering a transformative decade. With infrastructure investments accelerating and the push toward sustainable mobility gaining momentum, the fundamentals for growth have never been stronger. DICV has built a solid foundation, exceptional leadership, and the momentum to capitalise on these opportunities. I'm confident the team will continue to reach new heights," said Arya.

"Leading Hino Motors is both an honour and an opportunity. I'm excited to contribute to this integration while building on Hino's rich 80-year heritage and creating value for customers across global markets," he added.

Succession planning for Daimler India Commercial Vehicles operations is currently underway, with details to follow in the coming weeks. The appointment reflects the importance of the planned Mitsubishi Fuso – Hino Motors integration. Arya will return to Japan, where he previously spent four years with Daimler Truck Asia, bringing transformation expertise to his new leadership role.

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Ashok Leyland, one of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Punjab National Bank (PNB) to provide competitive dealer finance options for its dealers of Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (M&HCVs).

As per the understanding, Punjab National Bank will offer customised financial products to Ashok Leyland dealers to support their working capital and inventory funding needs. The initiative aims to strengthen dealerships by providing easy and flexible access to credit.

The MoU was signed by K M Balaji, Chief Financial Officer, Ashok Leyland and Amitabh Rai, General Manager, Punjab National Bank, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.

Balaji said, “Ashok Leyland is pleased to partner with Punjab National Bank to offer enhanced financial support to our dealer partners. This collaboration will provide comprehensive financing solutions with flexible and convenient options, helping our dealers manage their business more efficiently. Leveraging PNB’s strong network across the country and competitive pricing, this initiative will further strengthen our reach and enable sustained growth for our dealer ecosystem.”

Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head, Ashok Leyland, said, “This partnership with PNB will make financing more convenient for our dealers, ensuring smooth business operations and better customer service. We look forward to working closely with the bank to create value for our dealer partners.”

Rai added, “We are extremely happy to partner with Ashok Leyland. Through our varied financial solutions, our goal is to offer convenient and complete financing choices to the dealers. We believe that this partnership will meet the business needs of both organizations and create a strong positive impact.”

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