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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European auto major Stellantis has unveiled its FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, which will see it invest around EUR 60 billion over the course of the next five years.

The aim is to accelerate growth and profit, prioritising customer centrality and capital allocation across its global regions and brands.

Antonio Filosa, CEO, Stellantis, said, “FaSTLAne 2030 is the result of months of disciplined work across the Company and is designed to drive long-term profitable growth. With the customer at the centre of everything we do, the plan will deliver our purpose – ‘to move people with brands and products they love and trust’ – powered by our unique combination of strengths.”

The strategy focuses on an overhaul of the brand portfolio to improve capital efficiency, leading to more than 60 vehicle launches and 50 refreshes by 2030. The company will direct 70 percent of its product investments towards its four global brands – Jeep, Ram, Peugeot and FIAT – and its commercial vehicle unit, Pro One.

Its regional brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Citroen, Opel and Alfa Romeo, will share global assets, while DS and Lancia will be managed as specialty brands. Maserati will add two vehicles to its lineup.

Filosa noted, “Every brand in Stellantis will play a clear role in delivering our FaSTLAne 2030 commitments.”

Stellantis will allocate over EUR 24 billion to global platforms, powertrains and technologies, including the new STLA One architecture. By 2030, half of its annual volumes will be produced on three global platforms. The company will also deploy its software and autonomous driving architectures – STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive – starting in 2027.

The plan incorporates new and expanded corporate partnerships to access markets and share manufacturing capacity.

Through Leapmotor International, Stellantis will share capacity at its Madrid and Zaragoza plants in Spain. A joint venture with Dongfeng will produce Peugeot and Jeep models for China, while a European joint venture with Dongfeng will handle distribution and capacity sharing at the Rennes plant in France.

Stellantis is also working with Tata Motors to improve supply chain synergies in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa and South America regions, and will explore technology collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover in the United States.

Manufacturing capacity utilisation will be adjusted across regions, with European capacity expected to decrease by more than 800,000 units to raise utilisation from 60 percent to 80 percent by 2030. US capacity utilisation is also projected to reach 80 percent by 2030.

To improve execution, Stellantis aims to reduce vehicle development cycles to 24 months and implement a Value Creation Program to cut annual costs by EUR 6 billion by 2028.

“The success of FaSTLAne 2030 is built upon the great talent and strong commitment of our Stellantis team. We will execute as one team, hands-on, to deliver incremental, profitable growth for the benefit of all our stakeholders,” added Filosa.

Regional targets under the plan include 25 percent revenue growth in North America, supported by 11 vehicles. Enlarged Europe targets 15 percent revenue growth, featuring a new generation of electric vehicles built at the Pomigliano d'Arco plant in Italy. South America aims for 10 percent revenue growth via a pickup offensive, while the Middle East and Africa targets 40 percent revenue growth through local manufacturing. The Asia-Pacific region will focus on asset-light growth to support export requirements.

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Eicher Motors (EML) and the Volvo Group have announced their intent to form a new 50:50 joint venture to provide financing, leasing and other financial services in India.

The partnership will be established through EML acquiring a 50 percent stake in Volvo Financial Services (VFS) India. Eicher Motors' board has approved an investment of up to INR 7.5 billion to subscribe to the equity stake. The exact investment amount will be finalised upon the closing of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals.

The new joint venture will serve as the captive financing arm for products from Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles (VECV), Eicher Motors, Volvo Group and Royal Enfield. By combining VFS’s global financial services expertise with Eicher’s local market knowledge, extensive dealer network and product portfolio, the venture aims to offer more accessible and streamlined financing solutions to customers.

Siddhartha Lal, Chairman, Eicher Motors, said, "Expanding our highly successful 18-year partnership with Volvo Group, Eicher is now entering the vehicle financing business in India through a new joint-venture. This JV combines Volvo’s global financial services expertise and Eicher’s local knowledge and network. The JV will serve Eicher, Volvo, and Royal Enfield customers in India and presents an opportunity for EML to operate in an important segment of the value chain, using financing as a lever for a superior customer experience."

Marcio Pedroso, President, Volvo Financial Services, added, "We believe now is the time to sharpen our focus on the Eicher brand as well, with our intended partnership serving as a springboard for bringing innovative financial services and solutions to both current and new customers and dealers, positioning us well to create long-term value in the growing Indian market."

This joint venture builds upon the long-standing collaboration between Eicher Motors and Volvo Group, which has successfully operated Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles (VECV) for the past 18 years. VFS India has been operational in the market for over a decade and reported assets under management (AUM) of approximately INR 18.25 billion as of 31 March 2026.

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MANN+HUMMEL has inaugurated its new Global Technology & Innovation Center in Tumkur, Karnataka. This facility serves as the company's largest development hub outside of Germany and is designed to accelerate global product development for mobility, industrial and purification applications.

The centre integrates research laboratories, testing infrastructure, digital engineering and data analytics. The company intends for this site to function as an innovation engine, leveraging India's engineering talent to shorten development timelines.

Additionally, MANN+HUMMEL announced plans for a new manufacturing facility in Pune. The company expects total investments across these initiatives to exceed INR 1 billion. Currently, the company employs approximately 1,250 people in India, with plans to add 300 to 400 more positions over the next year.

With existing operations in Tumkur and Bawal, and the upcoming site in Pune, the company is establishing a manufacturing footprint across Southern, Northern, and Western India to improve proximity to customers. Interestingly, India currently hosts over one-third of the company’s global R&D workforce.

Hasmeet Kaur, President of the Transportation Division, MANN+HUMMEL Group, said, “The new Global Technology & Innovation Center in India marks a significant milestone in MANN+HUMMEL’s global innovation journey. India stands at the forefront of engineering talent and technological advancement, making it a natural choice for our largest development hub outside Germany. This centre will not only accelerate our innovation capabilities but also enable us to deliver scalable, sustainable filtration solutions to customers worldwide.”

Sudeesh Karimbingal, Managing Director, MANN+HUMMEL India, added, “The new facility in Tumkur is a testament to India’s growing role as a strategic growth and engineering powerhouse for MANN+HUMMEL globally. For over 20 years, our Indian engineering team has been deeply embedded in our global product development. This centre transitions India from a support hub to a strategic engineering powerhouse, driving innovation that meets both local and global market needs.”

The Tumkur facility will prioritise – energy-efficient filtration systems, reduction of lifecycle emissions and circular economy solutions, including the use of recycled materials.

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European auto major Stellantis and British luxury brand Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaborative opportunities in the United States.

The partnership intends to create synergies in product and technology development by utilising the complementary strengths of both organisations.

The companies aim to leverage this collaboration to create value and support their long-term growth objectives within the US market.

Antonio Filosa, Chief Executive Officer, Stellantis, said, “By working with partners to explore synergies in areas such as product and technology development, we can create meaningful benefits for both sides while remaining focused on delivering the products and experiences our customers love.”

PB Balaji, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, added, “As we continue to evolve JLR for the future, collaboration will play an important role in unlocking new opportunities. Working with Stellantis allows us to explore complementary capabilities in product and technology development that support our long‑term growth plans for the US market.”

Any potential transactions resulting from these discussions remain subject to standard closing conditions, including the execution of definitive agreements.

Stellantis, Dongfeng Group Ink MoU For Europe-Based Joint Venture

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