Recording a 353 percent increase in the revenue for the first quarter of FY2021-22 at INR 29,510 million in comparison to the revenue generation of INR 6,510 million in the corresponding quarter of FY2020-21, Ashok Leyland is confident of a strong demand emerging post the second Covid-19 wave. Clocking export volumes of 1,437 units in the first quarter of FY2021-22, up 254 percent when compared to the export of 405 units in the first quarter of FY2020-21, the commercial vehicle manufacturer is concentrating on vaccination and the adherence of safety protocols to try and ensure that all its stakeholders stay protected from a potential third wave. Experiencing a 1,041 percent growth in domestic M&HCV volume in the first quarter of FY2021-22, which is almost twice than that of the industry growth volume at 562 percent during the same period, the company has reported a net loss of INR 28,20 million in the first quarter of FY2021-22 as against a net loss of INR 38.90 million in the corresponding quarter of FY2020-21. Selling 8,690 LCVs in the domestic market in the first quarter of FY2021-22, up 224 percent as compared to the sale of 2,686 LCVs in the corresponding quarter last fiscal, Ashok Leyland is closely observing the way the freight rates are shaping up. It is confident that freight rates will improve with higher availability of commercial vehicles once the Covid-19 subsidies and uncertainty fades. “We are hoping for the volumes to grow higher as the market gets better,” mentioned Mahadevan. “July (2021) has been a growth month,” he added. Stressing that they have had eight months of degrowth, Mahadevan said, “Economic growth will induce growth in CVs.”

CV trends
Working on a strategy for a robust domestic and exports growth, the commercial vehicle major is appointing dealers in Africa. Looking at gaining good traction in South East Asia, Ashok Leyland will launch new products in the LCV segment even though not in the immediate quarter. Buoyed by the international markets opening up and experiencing export thrust, the company is said to be testing an electric version of its LCV platform on which the Bada Dost is based in the UK. This vehicle is expected to be launched at the end of this fiscal or in the first half of the next fiscal. Of the opinion that electric vehicles are catching up, especially at the local point of use, on the encouragement of the governments, Mahadevan averred, “It is more to do with buses, but trucks will catch up.” Seeing a trend of petrol commercial vehicles in the low-tonnage segment of sub-1 tonne to 1.5 tonne, Mahadevan drew attention to the push on CNG. “We are ready in the LCV and ICV (segment),” he added. Of the firm belief that diesel vehicles will continue and the IC engine will coexist and not die overnight, Mahadevan said, “We are ready to cater to higher demand.” 
 

Watching closely how freight operators are able to pass on the fuel price hike to their end customers, Ashok Leyland is hoping that bus commute will pick up. A 40,000 units per annum market, according to Mahadevan, buses have been severely affected due to the Covid-19-led disruption. Delivering 40 electric buses to the city of Chandigarh recently (from where it has bagged an order to build and maintain e-buses with quick charging technology), Ashok Leyland is expecting pent-up demand to show up once normalcy returns. Also expecting demand to show up because of the need to ferry people without sacrificing social distancing norms, Mahadevan drew attention to their work towards further strengthening their position in the bus and LCV market segments. With the talk of schools reopening in regions where the Covid-19 infections are down, and the relaxation in Covid-19 norms in some region allowing more employees to return to their offices, bus demand is expected to improve post witnessing a sudden downfall mid-last year. Through the establishment of Switch Mobility, Ashok Leyland is keen to experience a speedier ride in the ‘cleaner and greener’ bus space. 
 

Managing costs and productivity 
Eyeing international markets like the US, Europe and Japan, the company, through the Switch Mobility subsidiary, has worked with a few consultants to make sure that its data points and numbers are on par with the current situation. Under Switch Mobility, it is developing new products to present an advantage of unique position in terms of value and premium positioning. For its Switch Mobility subsidiary that includes the erstwhile Optare of UK, Ashok Leyland has managed to get USD 18 million worth of investment from Dana Incorporated (Dana), a US-based manufacturer of drivetrain and e-propulsion systems. To do de-bottlenecking once enough demand is evident, Ashok Leyland, investing sufficiently in terms of capex, is confident of seeing early growth sprouts in LCVs. Therefore, if it were to do immediate capex investment, it would be in LCVs. Discussing with scrappage centres post the announcement of the scrappage policy, Ashok Leyland, the second-largest CV maker in the country, is witnessing good traction from its other business verticals like defence, power solutions and aftermarket. They are contributing to its top line. 
 

With the pace of vaccination picking up and positively setting in, Ashok Leyland is expecting a demand spike in commercial vehicles after the fear of a third Covid-19 wave is over. This, according to Mahadevan, could happen in the second half of this fiscal. Focusing on costs, productivity and middle level management, the commercial vehicle major is also concentrating on reducing its carbon footprint. Apart from announcing strategic steps to move towards net zero carbon mobility through Switch Mobility, Ashok Leyland, said Mahadevan, has formed an ESG committee of the Board. The committee will guide and propel the commercial vehicle manufacturer to achieve its sustainability agenda.
 

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The Honda India Foundation (HIF) has held a ground-breaking ceremony for a Road Safety Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Viramgam, Gujarat.

The centre is designed to provide road safety education through training and simulation-based learning. It is scheduled to open in 2027 and is expected to provide safety programmes for 5,000 people each year.

The CoE will feature a Road Safety Education & Awareness Wing equipped with training tools for students, youth groups and local communities. Additionally, it will include an Accident Research & Data Analytics Unit to examine traffic patterns, identify risk locations and assist with safety audits.

Vinay Dhingra, Trustee, Honda India Foundation, said, “Road safety requires a combination of awareness, training and data-driven insights. Through this Centre of Excellence, we aim to create a practical platform that supports safer road behaviour, promotes road safety education and contributes to more informed safety interventions. This initiative reflects Honda India Foundation's continued commitment to strengthening road safety awareness and fostering safer road-use practices at the community level.”

Gyanender Singh Malik, Director General of Police, Gujarat State, said, “We appreciate Honda India Foundation’s support in setting up this Road Safety Centre of Excellence in Gujarat. The Centre will help strengthen structured road safety education and support data-led interventions for safer roads. Such collaborations add value to the state’s efforts towards improving road safety awareness and reducing road accident risks.”

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French automotive major Renault India has further deepened its India commitment with strengthening of its design team in the country.

The company has roped in Jean-Philippe Salar as the new Design Director at Renault Design Centre India. He succeeds Julien Sabatier, who is set to take on the role of Head of Design Factory India and UI Management.

Sabatier led the Design Studio for the last three years and, on his part, was instrumental in setting up Renault’s Design Studio in India as part of the French automakers ‘renault. rethink’ strategy. He delivered over 10 projects for Renault for both India and Europe market and played a key role in the introduction of the new Duster SUV in India.

In his new role, he will focus on developing and industrialising future projects and implementing UI (User Interface) functions in India.

Salar is a Renault Group veteran having started his journey with the French automotive brand in 1996, and has extensive design experience across brands such as Renault, Dacia, LADA and Mobilize.

The design centre is part of the company’s ‘design in India’ and ‘make in India’ strategy. It functions as a hub of excellence, particularly due to its proximity to Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India (RNTBCI).

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China’s SAIC Motor-owned British marquee brand MG has unveiled its technology roadmap centred on its next-generation Plug-in Hybrid+ systems, SolidCore battery integration and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) at MG Tech Day at its UK headquarters in London.

The automaker unveiled its new Plug-in Hybrid+ system, which features 1.1-litre and 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engines. The company states that it achieves thermal efficiencies exceeding 42 percent. The powertrain incorporates a hybrid transmission with two technologies: Power Split and Motor Decoupling. The latter isolates the generator during electric driving to improve energy efficiency.

The first model to feature this system will be the MG ZS Plug-in Hybrid+, scheduled for launch in 2027.

MG also confirmed the introduction of its SolidCore battery across future Plug-in Hybrid+ models. This semi-solid-state technology is designed to provide consistent power delivery and range stability across various temperatures and driving conditions. The battery will debut in three upcoming B, C and D-segment SUVs.

Furthermore, MG is refining its driving assistance technologies using data collected from over 1.2 million kilometres of driving across 24 European countries.

The One Touch iAD system for parking is production-ready, supporting scenarios such as kerbside parking, reverse paths of up to 100 metres and exit manoeuvres in tight spaces.

A highway assistance system capable of managing motorway entry, exit and lane changes is scheduled for a late 2027 debut in a new MG SUV. Urban NOA capabilities are planned for 2028.

Lastly, the company is conducting Level 4 Robotaxi trials across Europe, the Middle East and China to support long-term mobility research.

MG company stated that these developments reflect a focus on ‘making advanced technology more accessible, useful and relevant for everyday drivers.’

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Stellantis-owned Peugeot and the Strate School of Design have formed a partnership to focus on design and innovation within the automotive sector. Through this collaboration, students will work on projects related to mobility, user experience and technology under the guidance of Peugeot design experts and Strate faculty.

The initiative aims to provide Peugeot with access to student designers while offering students experience in the automotive industry. The projects are intended to act as a laboratory for mobility solutions.

Matthias Hossann, Design Director, Peugeot, said, "This partnership reflects our commitment to bringing academia and industry closer together, in order to foster innovative solutions to the challenges of sustainable mobility. It also enables us to engage with and support young design talents from the earliest stages of their educational journey."

Mike Levy, Head of the Transportation and Mobility Design Department, Strate School of Design, said, "This collaboration provides our students with an exceptional opportunity to confront the realities and ambitions of an industry undergoing profound transformation. By working alongside an internationally renowned automotive design team celebrated for its boldness, they gain first-hand experience of its methodologies, expertise, and high standards. In return, it offers PEUGEOT valuable insight into how this new generation of designers envisions its design practice, its perception of the brand, its relationship with mobility, and the future narratives that shape it."

The partnership is intended to combine academic and industrial perspectives to develop designers for future mobility and vehicle projects.

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