A good 15m long, the Mercedes-Benz OC 500 RF 2542 has two-axles at the rear and one at the front. Its name suggests it to be German. It is therefore perhaps that a European influence is evident from the smooth surfaces and well-defined lines of the G-Python’s exterior design. The standards of fit and finish are good. A sense of sleek and muscular build apparent from the vehicle’s exterior design, the G-Python, according to Kukreja, draws inspiration from the python’s prowess and size. He drew attention to the fine curves and added, “Look carefully at the headlamps; they will remind you of the eyes of a python. They shine like diamonds”. Reflecting luxury, style and an ability to stand out, the sleek and sweeping headlamps of the G-Python coach body work make an interesting part of the facia. The facia in turn has a large windshield with a black theme patch at its bottom. The pasted windows and tall sides of the G-Python nicely complement the facia design, highlighting a good sense of proportion in the process. Like a fully grown python – a reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) can reach over 6.25m in length and is termed as the longest snake in the world – the G-Python luxury coach design does appear long and attractive on the Mercedes-Benz multi-axle chassis. 
 

Finer detailing
Powering the Mercedes-Benz OC 500 RF 2542 is a 388 hp, six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM 470 Euro VI 10.7-litre diesel engine situated transversely at the rear. It is so located that it feeds power to one of the two rear axles. Its access is governed by an engine lid at the rear. When viewed from a three-fourth angle, the rear accommodates the engine compartment access lid nicely in a large black patch. Replicating the colour theme of the facia (there is a similar albeit smaller black patch under the windshield), the large rear patch of black cleverly hides the enormity of the coach structure. It is no doubt tall and fairly enormous when viewed against a car or a van! On either side of the black patch are sleek and stylish LED tail lamps. “True to our penchant for aerodynamic styling and discreet elegance, the G-Python coach design is based on a modular concept,” said Kukreja. “As much as the exterior, there’s much attention that has gone in the designing and building of the interior too,” he added. Containing diffused lighting, a warm shade of blue and white, the interior exudes a touch of luxury and elegance, much the same way the exterior does. 
 

Employing CR tubes and fire retardant FRP material in its construction, the interior of the G-Python coach design offers good space between each seat row. The seats of the reclining variety are designed and positioned to offer maximum comfort and leg room for passengers. This makes for a relaxing atmosphere. Cabin isolation is brought up to speed with much use of insulation material. “There’s been a good deal of innovation that has gone into the noise isolation of the cabin,” averred Kukreja. With maximum luggage compartment space, easy to operate functions and a long list of optional features like heating, AC, LED screens, mobile-laptop charger, metallic paint, infotainment system, pantry and chemical toilet etc., the G-Python, when it comes to features, offers almost all the bells and whistles. “From the very inception of the design, we made sure that we could accommodate each and every feature that a coach operator could ask for,” Kukreja remarked. “The colour combination and graphics is optional.” 
 

Stating that the attention to European standards has ensured superior built quality, Kukreja said, “From the safety point of view, we have made every effort to exceed the regulatory requirements.” The G-Python coach design employs a laminated glass windshield. The pasted windows on the sides are of the toughened variety. The emergency door has been situated at the rear. Conforming to the bus code, the G-Python seeks proximity to a European integral coach design. It is capable of seating 53 passengers. Available in ‘semi-sleeper’ guise as well, there are no plans to introduce a ‘sleeper’ version as of now. “We may offer a ‘sleeper’ version in the future,” said Kukreja.  
 

An eye for quality 
Built with close attention to quality at Guru Ram Dass Body Builders’ Sonipat facility in Haryana, the G-Python coach body design flaunts a super strong reinforced structure that is crash resistant. It is backed by a pan-India after sales support. Offering ease of maintenance and service through easy accessibility to key aggregates and parts, the luxury coach body design is subject to regular updating, according to Kukreja. “This is in line with our philosophy to keep improving a design and incorporate new developments in bus/coach body design and development,” he added. Explaining that his company’s modern plant at Sonipat has state-of-the-art paint booth, shearing and press brake machines, an R&D centre, shower booth and an FRP moulding facility among others, Kukreja said, “The build quality of the G-Python is in line with the company’s quality management system and regulatory requirements.”  

Stressing on a robust quality control mechanism in place at GRD’s Sonipat plant to ensure thorough inspection of every material that is procured and every weld joint that is carried out on the structure, Kukreja expressed, “Trained professionals use calibrated measuring instruments and various other machines as part of the quality management system.” “There’s a ‘Red Table Area’ in the Sonipat plant where the selected and reject material are segregated,” he added. Explaining that the G-Python will complement the existing G-Dolfino bus body design, Kukreja averred, “They are more or less parallel offerings.” “The G-Dolfino was launched in 2019 and the G-Python was launched in June 2021,” he said. Asked if the G-Python coach body design would fit a 12m long front-engine bus chassis like the BharatBenz 1624, and Kukreja was quick to answer, “Modifications in the floor structure should make it possible.” Whether it would be done at once? Kukreja is not in favour it seems. “We will take a call on whether we want to offer the G-Python luxury coach body design on any other chassis than a rear engine multi-axle one,” he announced. “For the 12m long front-engine BharatBenz 1624, we have yet another fine design in the form of the G-Dolfino,” he concluded. The G-Dolfino, it should not take long to understand, is inspired by a Dolphin!
 

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has reached a key milestone in the expansion of its Goodwood facility, officially declaring the new structure fully weathertight. This significant development paves the way for the next stage of the project.

To commemorate the achievement, CEO Chris Brownridge, accompanied by the Board of Directors, personally hand-signed the final wooden louvre installed on the building’s exterior. This element is one of 1,745 such features adorning the 40,000-square-metre structure. Each louvre, measuring 100 by 58 centimetres, is crafted from red cedar. This material was chosen for its durability and its natural ability to age gracefully, developing a soft silver-grey patina that harmonises with the landscape, mirroring the aesthetic of the original adjacent building, which also features red cedar cladding on its front elevation. This ceremonial signing follows a tradition established last year when the directors marked the installation of the final steel beam at the structure's apex.

With the exterior now complete, attention turns to the interior fit-out, managed by Rolls-Royce's specialist in-house teams. A central focus is the development of a new Surface Finish Centre, which will serve as a dedicated paint shop. Concurrently, work will progress on installing advanced equipment and establishing specialised areas tailored for Bespoke and Coachbuild projects.

Representing an investment exceeding GBP 300 million, this expansion is the most substantial financial commitment to the Home of Rolls-Royce since its inception in 2003. It is set to enhance the company's substantial economic contribution, which currently adds over GBP 500 million annually to the UK economy.

Chris Brownridge, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “This moment marks the point at which our new extension building becomes fully weathertight, meaning our specialist Technologies can begin the complex, exacting process of fitting-out, in readiness for full operation in 2029. It’s a really pivotal point in the project – a project that upholds the standards and vision of our founder, Sir Henry Royce, and his famous injunction to strive for perfection in everything we do. The Directors and I have also been inspired by his practice of personally inspecting and signing off each new component, giving them his own ‘seal of approval’. Having previously signed off the final element of the structural steelwork, we wanted to do the same for the last of the wooden louvres that now clad its exterior. It’s enormously exciting to see the work progressing with such pace and precision. To have that sense of personal connection with such a significant project through these signing ceremonies is very special for all of us.”

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Embracing the deep-seated passion for cricket in Kolkata, the Kolkata Knight Riders, in partnership with VIDA, powered by Hero, launched the VIDA Knights Electrifying Box Cricket tournament. This innovative three-day event, held from 19 to 21 February, represented the franchise's most ambitious fan-centric initiative to date, designed to immerse supporters directly into the professional cricketing environment.

The tournament was structured to deliver a premium competitive experience, reflecting KKR's dedication to nurturing talent at the community level. Over three days, 32 teams, each consisting of 10 players, engaged in intense group stage and knockout matches. The competition culminated with Joy Game Changers being crowned the first-ever champions, while Knights Dé Xtreme secured the position of runners-up. The event transcended traditional play by incorporating digital culture, as a special team composed of popular Kolkata content creators like Neel Bhattacharya, DaSoham, Rahul Dey, Saiket Dey and Nirit Datta participated, effectively merging online fandom with on-ground sporting spirit.

The tournament distinguished itself through a creatively reimagined format. Strategic elements, such as VIDA-branded bonus targets, rewarded players for precision and boldness, mirroring the innovative features of the brand. The excitement was amplified by unique rules, including the VIDA Electric Over, a phase where every run counted double and batsmen could not be dismissed, guaranteeing dramatic shifts in momentum. Furthermore, the introduction of an Impact Player rule allowed teams to introduce a strategic asset at a crucial juncture, ensuring that every match remained fiercely competitive and unpredictable until its conclusion. This event successfully transformed the streets into a vibrant, electrifying extension of the Knight Riders' universe.

Binda Dey, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Knight Riders Sports, said, “Cricket has always lived in the heart of Kolkata. With VIDA Knights Electrifying Box Cricket, we took the game back to the fans – in a format that’s fast, accessible and powered by participation. Featuring 32 teams competing over three high-octane days, this tournament celebrated community, competitiveness and the joy of playing the game. We’re proud to partner with VIDA, a brand that shares our belief in creating experiences that fans don’t just watch but truly live.”

Kausalya Nandakumar, Chief Business Officer, Emerging Mobility Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Our association with Kolkata Knight Riders is rooted in the confidence, resilience and aspiration that define a new India. VIDA is driven by the idea of making electric mobility exciting, accessible and relevant to everyday India – much like how KKR brings people together through cricket. With VIDA Knights Electrifying Box Cricket, we are bringing cricket’s unmatched passion and pulse to the streets, creating an exciting platform where supporters not only watch but also play and engage with us.”

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Just four months after a celebratory opening, the USD 5.8 billion BlueOval SK battery plant has hit a dramatic standstill. The facility, a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and South Korea’s SK On, is now sitting idle, leaving approximately 1,600 workers jobless and sparking a heated political debate over the future of American manufacturing stated news reports.

The 1,500-acre site was positioned in mid-2025 as the crown jewel of Kentucky's economic development, promised to be a ‘lifeline’ for the region's workforce. However, by December, the optimism vanished as Ford and SK On dissolved their partnership. Ford has confirmed the plant will remain idle for roughly 18 months as it undergoes a total strategic pivot.

Rather than powering the next generation of electric cars and trucks, the facility is being retooled to produce battery energy storage systems (BESS). These industrial-sized batteries are intended for power grids, data centres and commercial utilities.

Ford executives cited a ‘harsh operating reality’ for the pause, specifically:

• Slowing Demand: US EV sales projections for 2030 have been slashed from 45 percent of the market to as low as 9 percent.
• Regulatory Shifts: The administration has moved to rescind federal EV tax credits of up to USD 7,500, which many argue has cooled consumer interest.
• Supply Chain Pressures: New requirements for 100 percent US-made components for charging infrastructure have further complicated the transition.

The shutdown has become a lightning rod for political finger-pointing. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has blamed federal policy shifts – specifically the rollback of EV incentives – for draining the market momentum that justified the plant's massive scale.

Conversely, some industry critics and workers, like maintenance technician Joe Morgan, suggest the failure also lies in corporate strategy, arguing that Ford may have overestimated the public's immediate appetite for all-electric versions of flagship models like the F-150.

Image credit: Ford Motor Co

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India has pledged to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries by 50 percent by 2030 following the launch of the New Delhi Road Safety Declaration. Hosted by the Bharat Association of Road Safety Volunteers (BARS) at IIT Delhi, the initiative sets a long-term goal of zero preventable road deaths, aligning with the WHO Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030).

The National Road Safety Confluence brought together the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), the World Health Organization (WHO), state governments, insurers and vehicle manufacturers. The framework identifies three primary pillars for cooperation – Samaaj (Society), Sarkaar (Government) and Bazaar (Industry).

The Declaration adopts a Safe System Approach, prioritising human life in mobility decisions. Implementation will focus on five pillars:

• Governance & Accountability: Shifting metrics from road construction distances to lives saved and ensuring independent monitoring.
• Infrastructure & Blackspot Management: Continuous data-driven mapping of high-risk zones and safety audits of design.
• Safer Vehicles: Eliminating sub-standard components and integrating AI-enabled enforcement.
• Road User Behaviour: Mandatory practical driver training and stricter penalties for repeat violations.
• Post-Crash Response: Optimising the 'Golden Hour' through trauma care and standardised crash investigation.

India records the highest number of road fatalities globally. The confluence identified systemic gaps, including under-utilised crash data, fragmented accountability across agencies and inadequate emergency response integration.

The Declaration marks a transition from awareness campaigns to measurable implementation. Signatories have committed to time-bound action plans and the strengthening of district-level enforcement capacity.

Dr Mats-Ake Belin, Global Lead – Decade of Action for Road Safety, WHO, said, “Road safety is now firmly on the global agenda, with strong political and media attention. Our responsibility is to move beyond awareness and ensure consistent, evidence-based implementation so that no country is left behind in preventing road traffic deaths.”

V Umashankar, Secretary (Road Transport & Highways), MoRTH, added, “As a nation, we cannot accept road fatalities as inevitable. Each accident is personal, each loss preventable. Awareness is not enough - what we need is organised, district-level action, backed by certainty of enforcement and supported by strong institutions. When compliance becomes habit and accountability becomes certain, road safety will move from intention to impact.”

Rama Shankar Pandey, Chairman – BARS, stated, “Road safety is not merely a transport issue; it is a governance responsibility and a moral obligation. The New Delhi Declaration shifts the national conversation from fragmented initiatives to coordinated, time-bound, accountable action.”

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