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608, Trade World, 6th floor, C wing, Kamala Mills compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India. Tel +91 9321546598 Email us at cv@nextgenpublishing.net Editor

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With cautious optimism and all its guards up, the CV industry as a barometer of the economy will look at building on the momentum of a cyclical upturn for a multi-year upcycle.

Drawing to a close

he year 2021 is drawing to a close. Before we embark on new beginnings, I would like to laud the efforts of the CV industry to drive growth led by tailored innovations. The CV industry despite a challenging macro and microeconomic environment is determined to go from strength to strength. Stakeholders of the global economy as a whole must also be commended for making this a better year with direct interventions as and when required. In the words of Gita Gopinath, the newly proposed First Deputy Managing Director at International Monetary Fund (IMF), there are no two ways that the pandemic continues its grip on us! Since the classification of Omicron as a ‘Variant of Concern’, the highly transmissive strain continues to spread its tentacles with rapid spikes in the number of cases, threatening an impact on the economy. One hopes that the initial feedback of it lacking a great degree of severity in comparison to the more prominent Delta variant holds a silver lining for all. With cautious optimism and all its guards up, the CV industry as a barometer of the economy will look at building on the momentum of a cyclical upturn for a multi-year upcycle. Ashish Bhatia ashish@atashishbhatia.com a.bhatia@nextgenpublishing.net

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This Month In CV

DECEMBER 2021

Cover story

Supro MAXI Truck Mahindra & Mahindra is banking on the revamped Supro SCV range to offer prospective customers a significant upgrade. Ashish Bhatia and Prateek Pardeshi checked on the claims.

What Customers Want In a mega unveil, Tata Motors launched 21 products. Deepti Thore shares more on the strategy based on customer needs of high vehIcle utilisation.

Write to us at cvonline@nextgenpublishing.net with your feedback and suggestionsor visit us at www.commercialvehicle.in to catch the digital first content.

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This Month In CV

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NEWS  Transport Day celebration at COP26  IIP rises in September 2021  Base global supply chains on trust  GST overhaul  Ethanol procurement mechanism  Bilateral innovation agreement  Due recognition with Padma Bhushan  Finance for Tata SCV customers  TVS on UN Global Compact  Volvo Buses India delivers sleeper coaches  Vipin Sondhi resigns  Switch Mobility bags BMTC order  Eicher supplies 315th truck to KNR

 DICV aims to become carbon-neutral  DICV ties up with Shriram Automall  Omega Seiki Mobility partners Europ  Onroad assistance  Mahindra Logistics acquires MERU  Piaggio electric 3W for the last-mile  LNG Summit 2021  MHI asks ARAI to localise ACC  Bus bays for Nepean Sea Road  DAF is ITOY 2022

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Valeo Facings Reach New Markets Valeo Friction Materials India hit the bull’s eye with its export strategy.

E-Mobility India Forum 2021: The stakeholders touched upon the crucial transitionary phase to e-mobility.

Dassault 3DExperience Forum 2021: It focused on the industry bracing digitisation in a post-pandemic era. Step 1 : Open the Camera app or a QR Code scanning app Step 2 : Hold your device steady for 2-3 seconds pointing towards the adjoining QR Code Step 3 : A notification with a url will appear Step 4 : Click to visit the content as shown on the right hand side. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

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Transport Day celebration at COP26 The Transport Day was celebrated at COP26. Participating in the fourth ministerial dialogue of the Zero-Emission Vehicle Transition Council (ZEVTC), NITI Aayog represented India on the global forum on enhancing political cooperation on the transition to ZEVs. ZEVTC, aimed at bringing together ministers and representatives of some of the world’s largest automobile markets to collectively address key challenges in the transition to ZEVs is also aimed at enabling faster, cheaper, and easier transition to EVs for all. NITI Aayog is known to have extended its support

to the non-binding and COP26 declaration focussed on global level accelerating transition to ZEVs. Several stakeholders involving automotive manufacturers, governments, businesses, fleet owners among

IIP rises in September 2021 The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rose in September 2021. For FY2021-22, IIP grew from an average 121.3 in the first quarter (Q1FY22) to 130.2 in the second quarter (Q2FY22). The manufacturing index is expected to mirror the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI). The capital goods index rose from average levels of 74.0 in Q1FY2022 to 91.7 in Q2FY22. E-way bills generated are approaching the pre-Covid19 levels. Tractor sales in October 2021 registered a growth of 25 per cent over the previous month (September 2021) at 1,15,000 units. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections are known to have reached the second highest monthly levels at Rs.1.3 lakh crore in October 2021. Exports crossed USD 30 billion in the same period.

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

others are known to have made the declaration to actively work towards the proliferation and adoption of ZEVs. India committed to making the transition in two- and three-wheelers effectively accounting for 80 per

cent of the auto sector in India. At the forum, pledge signatories urged developed countries to strengthen international collaboration and support. The forum recognised the need for new financial instruments in order to make an affordable transition to EVs. On November 10, the government launched the e-Amrit portal on EVs. Claimed to be a one-stop destination for all EV related information as a knowledge repository, E-Amrit can bust myths around the adoption of EVs, their purchase, investment opportunities, policies, and subsidies to name a few of its offerings.

Base global supply chains on trust Global supply chains must be based on trust and not on cost. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry recently drew attention to how Covid19 was testimony to global supply chains required to be built on trust and not on cost. He cited that trade revival is dependent on ensuring transparent, trustworthy and resilient supply chains. “Trade must grow in a mutual and collaborative way,” the minister exclaimed. Speaking on the PM Gatishakti plan, the minister expressed confidence in the initiative bringing logistics cost down by five per cent.

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GST overhaul The Good and Service tax is expected to get revised next year by July 2022 as the regime completes five years. Passed on July 01, 2017, the single tax could be restructured or the exemption could be reduced to simplify the regime or to lift revenue. The current regime has four tax rates 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent which could be slashed to three in the new regime. To address the ongoing revenue

issue, policy makers have proposed reviewing the slabs. Creating a three-slab regime could be considered as one of the options. Karnataka Chief Minister along with other Group of Ministers (GoM) will soon deliberate and finalise the recommendations. This comes after the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hinted of the slippage of the effective tax from 15.5 to 11.6 per cent.

Ethanol procurement mechanism

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a mechanism for procurement of ethanol by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies under Ethanol Blended Petrol programme. As per this programme, a revised ethanol price has been approved by the committee chaired by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. These revised prices will be applicable for ethanol to be supplied to Public Sector OMCs for Ethanol Supply Year 2021-22. The price is defined on the basis of ethanol derived from different sugarcane based raw materials under the EBP Programme for the forthcoming sugar season 2021-22 during ESY 2021-22 from December 01, 2021 to November 30, 2022. The price of ethanol from C heavy molasses route will be revised from Rs.45.69 per litre to Rs.46.66 per litre and the one derived from B heavy molasses route will be increased from Rs.57.61 per litre to Rs.59.08 per litre. The price of ethanol derived from sugarcane juice, sugar or sugar syrup route will be increased from Rs.62.65 per litre to Rs.63.45 per litre as per the release published by the ministry. In addition to this, GST and transportation charges will also be payable. Grain based ethanol prices are yet to be discussed by OMCs. The decision for the price of second generation ethanol would rest upon Oil PSEs as it will facilitate setting up of advanced biofuel refineries in the country. This renewal of pricing will also bring stability and additional remuneration for ethanol suppliers. It is expected to help reduce the pending arrears of cane farmers.

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Bilateral innovation agreement

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Directorate of Defence Research and Development (DDRD), Ministry of Defence, Israel entered a bilateral innovation agreement. The agreement encompasses innovation and accelerated Research and Development (R&D) in startups and the MSMEs of the two countries. The two countries will work on introducing next generation technologies and products in the domain of drones, robotics and artificial intelligence. The agreement also encompasses quantum technology and natural language processing.

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Due recognition with the Padma Bhushan The Auto Industry rejoiced as the President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Padma Bhushan to veterans Venu Srinivasan, Chairman of Sundaram-Clayton Group and Anand Gopal Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group for their contribution in Trade and Industry. The award seeks to recognise works of distinction. It is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines. The names of the awardees are also known to be published in the Gazette of India on the day of the presentation ceremony. All nominations received for Padma Awards are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Home Secretary, and the Secretary to the President and four to six

eminent persons as members. The recommendations of the committee

Finance for Tata SCV customers

Tata Motors has joined hands with Equitas SFB to offer attractive financial solutions to its customers. For doing so it has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Equitas SFB. As per the MoU, the benefits will be offered across Tata’s Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) range to make finance available for aspiring buyers. Talking about the partnership, Rohit Gangadhar Phadke, Senior President & Head – Retail Assets, Equitas Small Finance Bank said, “Through this partnership, Equitas would reach a large set of financially excluded segments to help them buy their first commercial vehicle from Tata Motors Limited.” Tata Motors aims at leveraging Equitas SFB’s strong network across the country, spanning 861 branches and 550+ CV customer touch points for making these solutions accessible to its customers. Commenting on the collaboration, Rajesh Kaul, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors said, “We are delighted to partner with Equitas SFB, one of India’s leading small finance banks, to make our extensive range of vehicles available to a larger set of customers, with easy financing and flexible repayment options.”

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President for their approval.

TVS on UN Global Compact TVS Motor Company has become a part of the United Nations Global Compact. It has become the first two- and three-wheeler company to have joined the sustainability initiative. Through this participation, TVS will support the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption and follow them at all TVS Motor Company offices and operations globally. Aligning themselves to the wider development goals of UN, TVS Motor Company through this participation is looking at opportunities to accessing wide range of tools and learn from Global Compact expertise about sustainability. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, TVS Motor Company, said, “We also look forward to engaging in collaborative projects which advance the wider development goals of the United Nations, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals.”

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Volvo Buses India delivers sleeper coaches to Kerala SRTC Volvo Buses India has launched its first completely built sleeper coach and the first batch of eight coaches will be delivered to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. Developed on the Volvo B11R chassis, the 15-metre long coach is spacious enough to offer a comfortable ride to passengers. To be deployed on prominent intra-state and interstate in Kerala, these coaches can easily accommodate 39 berths and have 12.5 cu.m of personal luggage space. Manufactured at the stateof-the-art Hosakote facility, these coaches are fully compliant with all relevant automotive standards and norms. Commenting on the association, Vinod Aggarwal,

MD, and CEO, VECV said, “We are thrilled to launch the first factory-built sleeper coaches compliant with legal and Volvo Bus standards. It is noteworthy that we were able to deliver this world class solution within a year of establishing the VECV Bus Division combining the

Vipin Sondhi resigns Vipin Sondhi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ashok Leyland Ltd. (ALL) will step down from his position with effect from close of business hours of December 31, 2021. The Board of Directors of ALL have taken note of his resignation following which Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman at ALL will take over as Executive Chairman with immediate effect. Vipin Sondhi worked joined ALL in December 2019. Commenting on the decision, Sondhi said, “My decision is purely a personal one as I need to take care of my personal and family responsibilities, which have become a top priority.” Acknowledging Sondhi’s contribution towards the company, the Chairman added, “I would like to place on record Vipin’s significant contribution in ALL navigating the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and seeding firm actions to pursue our vision.”

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Volvo Buses India operations and Eicher bus operations to energise public transport with industry-defining products and solutions.” The sleeper bus body platform can also be applied to the Volvo B8R range that includes 12m and 13.5m chassis.

Switch Mobility bags BMTC order

Switch Mobility Ltd. has bagged an order to supply and operate 300 electric buses for Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). The 12m long buses are technologically advanced and produce low noise ensuring a comfortable ride for passengers in Bengaluru. As per the order, Switch will be supplying, operating and maintaining the fleet and charging infrastructure for a period of 12 years on Gross Cost Contract (GCC) Model under the FAME II Scheme. The state-of-the-art buses are also expected to lower the fuel consumption by around 5.5 million litres annually, leading to a reduction in carbon emissions by more than 14,500 tonnes per year alongside cost savings for BMTC. Talking about the contract, Mahesh Babu, COO, Switch Mobility Ltd. and CEO, Switch Mobility, India, commented, “The cost of ownership and the product experience that we can deliver is amongst the best in the sector and our ability to bring value to customers like BMTC, combined with our superior technology and innovation, will help us to serve many more such customers in the future.”

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Eicher supplies 315th truck to KNR

Eicher Trucks & Buses has successfully delivered it’s 315th BSVI truck to the Hyderabadbased infrastructure company KNR construction (KNRCL). Eicher bagged the massive order for 130 Eicher tippers and trucks from the infrastructure major. These vehicles, it is said, will be commissioned at the mega NHAI Expressway projects across South India. Through

this association, Eicher plans to strengthen the bond between two leaders in the construction and infra segment. Mentioning that Eicher constitutes a good 33 per cent share in the KNRCL fleet of 1000+ vehicles, K Narasimha Reddy, Founder & Managing Director, KNRCL said, “Continuing trust, we are happy to partner with VECV again and add 130+ Eicher

DICV aims to become carbon-neutral Daimler India Commercial Vehicle (DICV), as part of its sustainability goals, plans to make its Chennai plant operations carbon-neutral by 2025. As per the ‘Seven Statements for Sustainability’ released by the company, it aims to make its entire value chain CO2-neutral by 2047. DICV plans to double the amount of captive solar power generated, as well as purchase wind-based power and bagasse-based green co-generation. It converts all internal shuttles across its plants to electric vehicles. Talking about the initiative, Satyakam Arya, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, DICV said, “Our efforts have helped us reach 72 per cent CO2 neutrality in our plant, and we plan to push this to 100 per cent by 2025.” To achieve its goals, the company further stated that it would reduce energy consumption on the production line by eight per cent till 2025 through several measures. The company also plans to reduce water consumption by 30 per cent and achieve 100 per cent water self-sufficiency at the plant by 2025.

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

tippers in our fleet for our new road construction projects in Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Kerala. These projects will boost Infra development in southern India.” The two partners have also adopted the site support model mastered by Volvo Trucks. Offering professional on-site support, this system has relieved KNR Constructions Ltd of the hassle of maintenance.

Tie up with SAMIL DICV has tied-up with Shriram Automall India Ltd.(SAMIL), a leader in vehicle exchange business to tap the used CV market. By doing so, it is offering the required support to its CV customers for exchange of used vehicles in a pan India excercise. Customers stand to benefit from faster turnaround, better resale value and a hasslefree process. Customers can choose from a pool of precertified vehicles. Speaking about the collaboration, Rajaram Krishnamurthy said, “This tieup will be an effective tool and tremendous value by delivering top class reliable and efficient logistics solutions that meet the needs of the customer.”

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Omega Seiki Mobility partners Europ Assistance for Omega Seiki Mobility (OSM) announced its association with Europ Assistance (EAI) to offer 24x7 roadside assistance. Enabling the company to create a tension-free environment for its entire range of Electric Vehicles (EVs), consumers, in case of any urgent vehicle service/ on road assistance can avail facilities such as on spot repairs. The latter covers on site minor repairs, battery jump-starts, tyre problems, lock issues and fuel delivery. The programme will also include other facilities like towing assistance on breakdown or in the event of an accident, The

Mahindra Logistics acquires MERU

Mahindra Logistics Ltd. (MLL) has acquired MERU. This involves 100 per cent acquisition of equity share capital of Meru Mobility Tech Private Limited, V-Link Fleet Solutions Private Ltd and V-Link Automotive Services Private Ltd from Meru Travel Solutions Private Ltd (MTSL) including 100 per cent share capital of MTSL from Mahindra & Mahindra Limited (M&M). Aimed at consolidating and expanding MLL’s business in the enterprise mobility space, the acquisition is a strategic move expected to help the company address the needs of its B2C and enterprise customers. Commenting on the occasion, Rampraveen Swaminathan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, MLL said, “The acquisition complements our mobility services portfolio with an expansion in airport ride-hailing and on-call services. We anticipate significant synergies by leveraging the combined capabilities in supply, technology management and Electric mobility.”

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

other features of this program include locating nearest client authorised garage/dealer, SMS service, user conference calling and emergency message transmission assistance. Talking about the initiative, Uday Narang, Founder and Chairman, Omega Seiki Mobility said, “Moving a step closer to making India completely EV-able, we want our customers to step out in their EVs without any worries of an on road breakdown. This quick-to-action service is sure to be of great use, enhancing our customers’ journey and experience with EVs.”

Piaggio electric 3W for last-mile logistics

Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (PVPL) has tied up with Bengaluru based logistic start-up City Link to deploy its Ape E-Xtra FX electric SCV. It is a part of City Link’s ‘Think Green Think EV’ initiative for last-mile deliveries through which Piaggio plans to expand its electric vehicle business. Talking about the partnership, Saju Nair, EVP-CV Business, Piaggio Vehicles said, “Piaggio is proud to contribute to City Link’s ‘Think Green Think EV’ initiative by providing Ape’ Electrik range of vehicles.” Piaggio through its wide range of electric vehicles is looking at amplifying the EV transition in India and catering to the varied needs of customers by offering different types of charging solutions including swappable as well as fixed battery. “We are confident that our technology will enable City Link in providing sustainable, efficient and lower operating cost goods delivery solution to its customers,” Nair added. Puneet Prakash, Co-founder and CEO, City Link said “Though we had estimated a total of 100 EVs at launch, with Piaggio we are confident to increase our EV range multifold within this financial year itself.”

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LNG Summit 2021 The two day LNG summit in the national capital shed light upon the roadmap for the contribution of LNG in the powermix for the future. The summit touched upon the availability and affordability of the resources across the nation. Key players like Adani Total Pvt.Ltd., Seros Logistics, Indian Energy Exchange Ltd. shared their views on how a pipeline network must be created for an easy transport of LNG event in remote places. A virtual pipeline must be created made possible by cryogenic tanks to move the resource. Another key point was afford ability. The podium had a collective consensus about how significant penetration can only be achieved by making the resource affordable for the society’s lowest stature in order to create demand and drive the growth of LNG across the country. P.K. Pandey, Sr. Vice President of Marketing at Indraprastha Gas Ltd

MHI asks ARAI to localise ACC While the Centre is promoting the use of Electric Vehicles (EVs), Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has urged Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to localise Advanced Chemical Cell (ACC), which is the main component of the EV battery. It is currently being imported. The aim is to reduce the battery price which accounts for ~30 per cent of the total cost of an EV. With almost 70 per cent of battery material available in India, the localisation of the remaining 30 per cent will help reduce the cost of EVs in India. Talking about the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, Union Minister Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey pointed that it will lead to an investment of Rs.42,500 crore and will further accelerate manufacturing of components and batteries in India. “The government is providing financial support from eight to 13 per cent for auto component manufacturers and by 13-18 per cent for EV manufacturers through the scheme.” It is expected to facilitate the creation of about 7.5 lakh new advanced-level employment opportunities.

mentioned that the first LNG gas station of IGL will come up in Ajmer followed by Karnal. Shyam Gupta, Chief Manager at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. added that the company is planning an additional 1,000 LNG stations across the country. HPCL will set up one at Manesar. The stakeholders also discussed how policies play an important role in creating an ecosystem to aid in the sector’s growth.

Bus bays for Nepean Sea Road Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) along with the local residents of Nepean Sea Road are planning to improvise the locality by adding footpaths, important junctions as well as bus bays. Doing so with the help of CSR funds, the locals have been promoting this initiative to help senior citizens walk comfortably on the road without any hindrances. The 30m long bus bays will enable buses to move in and move out easily. The idea is to ensure an easy movement of buses and an easy commute for the pedestrians. Assistant Municipal Commissioner of BMC D ward, Prashant Gaikwad while drawing attention to the nonuniform width of platform in the area said, “While the effective road width is 6.5m, it is not standardised at all junctions.” Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

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Bulletin | INTERNATIONAL

DAF Trucks bags ITOY 2022 DAF Trucks N.V. bagged the ‘International Truck of the Year 2022’ title. Introduced last year, the annual award has been presented to the truck said to have made a significant contribution to road transport efficiency. “DAF is the first truck manufacturer to introduce a completely new generation of trucks developed with the new European regulations for truck masses and dimensions in mind,” stated Gianenrico Griffini, Chairman of the ‘International Truck of the Year’ consortium. The award was handed over to Harry Wolters, President of DAF

Trucks, during the press day of the Solutrans Commercial Vehicle and Bodybuilder Show at Lyon, in France. The Dutch long-haul heavy-duty truck range won

Scania Super Scania AB launched a new engine platform, the all new Scania S-U-P-E-R. Drawing upon its 130 year old legacy, the new engine platform is claimed to be a major update since 2016. The EuroVI vehicles ranging from 420-560 hp feature a new powertrain that is claimed to ensure fuel savings of about eight per cent for long haulage customers. The new powertrain has major updates on new gearboxes and axles. The range brings along a premium service, Scania ProCare, for customers that request 100 per cent planned uptime. Scania is also introducing an option for electronic rear view mirrors to take the safety a notch higher in compliance with the new EU norms. Scania is reported to have invested more than two billion Euros in the new platform. Commenting on the new launch, Alexander Vlaskamp, Executive Vice President and Head of Sales and Marketing, Scania, said. “What we introduce today is not only an engine platform but a major initiative for strengthening Scania’s industry-leading position within sustainable transport for the rest of this decade.”

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over Iveco’s recently launched T-Way construction series and the Mercedes-Benz eActros (second generation) with a winning score of 150 votes.

IVECO to supply S-WAY to Amazon IVECO has bagged an order to supply 1,064 gas-powered S-WAY trucks to Amazon for supporting its European operations. Having received the first batch of 216 CNG powered IVECO S-WAY already, the remaining batch of 848 trucks is expected to be delivered by the mid of 2022. Commenting on the new order, Gerrit Marx, Chief Executive Officer of Iveco Group, said, “Collaboration with global leaders like Amazon is a testament to the robust capability of our innovative products and our unyielding commitment to the industry objective of de-carbonising transport by 2050.” These 1,064 trucks are powered by cuttingedge FPT Industrial Cursor 13 Natural Gas engines and equipped with 1052-litre CNG tanks, the largest available, with an expected range of 620 km between refuelling. The 848 units ordered for delivery in 2022 will also include IVECO Driver Pal, the brand’s ground-breaking on board vocal driver companion with inbuilt Amazon Alexa capabilities.

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Supro MAXI Truck

Mahindra & Mahindra is banking on the revamped Supro SCV range to offer prospective customers a significant upgrade. Ashish Bhatia and Prateek Pardeshi checked on the claims.

ahindra & Mahindra (M&M) tested waters with the revamped Supro Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) range first in July 2021. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) launched the near identical twin scvs, the Supro Profit Truck maxi and the Supro Profit Truck Mini. As the name suggests, with

the revamped range, the Maxi range consisting of the Maxi LX, Maxi VX (PS), Maxi (PS+AC), Maxi CBC and the Maxi High Deck variants with the mini counterparts are claimed to offer higher profit. Higher profit amounting to 25-36 per cent by way of low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), higher load carrying capacity, higher mileage and a higher power to weight

Veejay Nakra, Chief Executive Officer at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

ratio. According to Veejay Nakra, Chief Executive Officer at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., the company is claimed to have significantly enhanced the product proposition by focussing on delivering a class leading performance, fuel efficiency coupled with the choice of diesel and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powertrains. From the range, we got our hands on the Supro

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Profit Truck maxi VX - Bharat Stage VI (BSVI) Diesel, priced initially at Rs.6.22 lakh (Exshowroom, Mumbai). The profit truck The BSVI Supro Maxi VX (Maxi VX), a notch above the base variant (Maxi LX), was handed over to us in the diamond white shade. M&M also offers customers the choice between the crimson red and lakeside brown colours. the shade of white stood as a barrier between the full blown sun and us and so we aren’t complaining. Albeit, the vx sans the Heating Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (hvac) on the lower end of the spectrum meant we got a taste of what it would be like for its prospect pilot to go back to the grind on a daily basis in typical hot and humid conditions like that of Mumbai or any other coastal region on different duty cycles. Built at the M&M Chakan plant, the maxi truck is claimed to have undergone rigorous and full test cycle runs to validate the Unique Selling Points (USPs) of performance, safety and reliability. The Maxi VX stays true to its genes with similarities from the earlier generations featuring

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prominently on the new variant. m&m has upped the ante on the new variant by offering a class leading warranty of three years or 80,000 km (whichever is earlier). Especially with the heavy-duty variant launched in early 2018 that boasted of stronger aggregates and a higher earning potential too. Back then, the company offered a two years or 60,000 km warranty in comparison to the 2021 variant. The discomfort driven by the sultry weather was partially offset with the new Maxi VX turning heads even before we set off on our road check route. For starters, the characteristic pronounced snout in the semiforward truck continues to withstand the test of time. The 220 mm frontal nose design doesn’t look outdated! The vertical slat grille has a fine mesh with rhombus shaped openings running as the backdrop. It flaunts the old arrangement of the clear lens lamps that run up to the A-pillar. The body coloured bumper from the higher variants was amiss and stood out like a sore thumb when we had the top-end competitor variants run past it in the same frame. Not an apple for apple

comparison, when looked at in isolation, the exclusion does not take away from the utilitarian aspect on offer even at this end of the lineup. On the higher end of the variants, the day cabin is complemented with a body coloured bumper, and a HVAC unit that is claimed to enhanced driver comfort and draw more customers to the & stable. Walk over to the side, and it is clear that the Maxi VX holds its ground with its glossy paint job, an attractive badging on the doors much like its predecessors, and a visibly long load tray. The side repeaters come as standard fitments on either side close to the B-pillar in order to notify other road users of the drivers turn intentions. The Maxi VX is backed by claims of robust aggregates too. A touch and feel of the load tray, for instance, is a testimony of the Maxi being a workhorse. It draws from the pickup legacy of the M&M in turn to suit its own customer profile. The Maxi VX comes with a higher rated payload of up to 1.1-tonne

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model Supro Maxi VX Parameter

Specification

GVW

2.1-tonne (LX 2185 Kg)

Payload Max. Power

1050 Kg BSVI, two-cylinder, Direct Injection Diesel Engine with TC 47.47 hp @3750 rpm

Max. Torque

100 Nm @1600-3000 rpm

Transmission

Manual, five-speed

Steering Brake (Vacuum assist, hydraulic type with auto adjuster) Tyres

LX Manual, VX and ZX Power

155/80 R14-8PR

Fuel Tank Capacity (litre)

33-litre

Wheelbase

2050 mm

Dimensions

4148 mm x 1540 mm x 1915 mm

Engine

Front: Disc and Rear: Drum

(1100 kgs) made possible with the inclusion of a 8.2 ft. by 5.05 ft. cargo tray accessible from the rear. It is 10 per cent higher compared to competition as per company claims. The tray gets company welded rope mounting points on the periphery to fasten the open cargo. Chances of going along rust free are high

given the coat of body coloured paint sprayed over it. The Maxi sits on bigger R14 radials with a 2050 mm wheelbase giving. It has a high ground clearance of 196 mm to take on both tarmac and lose soil making it a good fit for diverse terrians. The one we drove was fitted with a set of the Apollo

Endu Maxx 165 R 14 LT 97/95 R tyres. The Apollo Endu Maxx is a familiar inclusion on the 1.25and 1.7-tonne Mahindra Bolero ExtraLong as well as on the 1.5-tonne Bolero Extrastrong. The high quality fibre mud flaps over the rear wheel lacked its pair on the front. Those looking for it can easily opt for an aftermarket alternative though. A squat further reveals the drivetrain powering the Supro. It’s easy to notice the leaf spring type suspension made up of eight leaves at the front and seven leaves at the rear. Under it is the stepney placed at an incline to facilitate a healthy departure angle. The rear bumper houses the tail light and the reflector in a rectangular arrangement. There are rubber bushes placed along the bumper’s periphery to dampen the impact from the tailgate collapse. It also houses the rear sensors which alert proximity to an object of concern. The placement could however pose an issue if the driver were to reverse with an open tailgate. In effect, the sensor stands to be obstructed and perhaps malfunction when looking to prevent a rear collision. The driveability Its non-exerting to hop into SCVs like the Maxi VX compared to the pull required to be exerted in higher tonnage vehicles for reasons well known. once seated, it is apparent how M&M has strived to offer passenger vehicle-like comfort and balance it to offer the commercial vehiclelike utility to the pilot like the maxi is meant to. Two is company and three is a crowd holds good here with the gear stick dividing the seating in a D + 1 arrangement that could squeeze in another driver cum helper. On settling

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down, the windshield offers a good central, peripheral and side vision for enhanced visibility. The test unit also carried a badge of the 24x7 ‘Mahindra with you Hamesha’ toll free helpline with coordinates alongside the BSVI badge for that added assurance. On looking closer, we noticed a smart design inclusion by way of the placement of a two-nozzle washer on the left wiper that exhibits an integrated wiper design approach. It should serve well as intended. Lower your chin, and attention to the interiors is drawn by a digital clock at first. Placed at the centre of the dashboard, the dedicated timer is a welcome

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standard inclusion in contrast to the fine script font, found in most instrument clusters. The latter are often blocked by the glaring sun making them a safety hazard especially in day rides, and if the pilot were to be completely dependent on it for clocking the trips. Overall, the two tone trims (beige and black) run through the cabin including on the seats, lending to the appealing aesthetics of the Maxi vx. Keeping it simple, the OEM has ticked most boxes. From three-point retractable seat belts, grab bars, manual scroll up windows, to pull-locks being placed ergonomically on the doors on either side. The power

steering gives a clear view of the analog instrument cluster that houses a simple, semi-circular arrangement. When compared to electric SCVs it seems a far cry from the modern digital consoles and might be an area that can be looked at if such ICE variants and their EV counterparts are to co-exist. It is perhaps to also do with the customer mind-set in the respective segment where less is deemed more. The good old analog console in the Maxi houses the speedo flanked by

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Scan the QR code to watch the video of the road check.

key indicators on either side akin to rotary dials in a retro design touch. These are in turn flanked by the fuel gauge on one side and the oil gauge on the other. The Maxi truck is zippy from the word go. The twospoke power steering is very responsive albeit for new drivers the positioning between the clutch and brake levers could need some adjustment initially. Coupled with a low turning radius of 5.2 m, once used to the driver’s ergonomics, including the miniscule pedals, it is easy to negotiate tight corners with a passenger vehicle like ease. On straight stretches, albeit, being a CV, the speed governor locked all the excitement to 80 kmph. Within this range (0-80 kmph), we were able to ply the Maxi on both open tarmac, and in congested market areas to test its capabilities. We came out impressed and did not experience much drag. Neither did we experience a rattling sound associated with CVs

despite being in an unladen state barring the occasional bumps courtesy an empty tray. With no access to the fully loaded variant and the preferred laden state, we reserve our final verdict though on the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels. A key consideration for long haul drives especially considering the use of SCVs beyond intra-city trips in charting intercity routes too. The Maxi has enough fire in its belly as it draws sufficient power from its 909 cc (14 per cent higher compared to competition), two-cylinder, BSVI diesel, Direct Injection (DI) engine with turbo charge. It offers a choice between an ‘Eco’ and a ‘Power’ mode. The engine develops ~47 hp of peak rated power (seven per cent higher) at 3750 rpm and a peak rated torque of 100 Nm (nine per cent lower compared to competition) at 1600-3000 rpm. The latter ensures availability of power at lower rpms. The air snorkel placed right behind the cabin ensures the apt mix of air

and fuel to prevent a scenario of engine knocking. This enhances the overall engine efficiency. The engine on the Supro Maxi truck is mated to a new, five-speed (5+R), manual synchromesh transmission that aids in fatigue free and well controlled drives. Smooth gear shifts allowed us to slip into higher gears with relative ease on straights and facilitated downshifting in congested market areas with bumper to bumper traffic. The vacuum assisted hydraulic type X split brakes with dual Load Sensing Prportional Valve (LSPV) with an auto adjuster, served well offering a safe braking distance to the vehicle ahead on our multiple attempts. The Maxi is fitted with disc brakes on the front and drum at the rear. It is claimed to offer a mileage of 21.94 kmpl (12 per cent higher compared to competition) in a 20 per cent improvement over competition. compared to diesel,, we feel the cNG powertrain is likely to experience an even greater traction with the owner cum driver community.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

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What Customers Want In a mega unveil, Tata Motors launched 21 products. Deepti Thore shares more on the strategy based on customer needs of high vehicle utilisation.

ata Motors unveiled 21 new Commercial Vehicles (CVs) across all segments catering to varied duty cycles as well as special applications. Designed and engineered to meet the evolving needs of Indians and it’s growing demand for efficient transportation, the new range, according to Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors will enhance Tata Motors’ already established ‘Power of 6’ customer value proposition. With the new range of vehicles, Tata Motors is looking to address specific duty cycles on an applicationto-application basis. Aspiring to redefine transportation,

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Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors the new range is modular and claimed to deliver higher productivity and lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Pointing at the newly launched

range, Wagh said, “The engines of infrastructure development, consumer consumption and e-commerce powering the Indian economy require continued transportation support to run seamlessly. Being the leader in commercial vehicles, we continue to deliver superior value propositions to customers by introducing smarter, future-ready products and services.” “Our vehicles are ideal to fulfil the customer need of high vehicle utilisation for more revenue with lower costs for higher profits,” he opined.

Cover STORY tractor-trailer and a rigid truck range with an assurance of higher fuel efficiency. Apart from these, Tata has also introduced passenger commercial vehicles including an e-bus equipped with segment-first features and holistic solutions for passenger transportation.

Addressing a wide spectrum The comprehensive range incorporates the latest advancement in technology like refined powertrains and brings about significant upgrades in comfort and convenience. The vehicle range launched by Tata Motors includes four Small Commercial Vehicles (SCVs) and pickups, five Intermediate & Light Commercial Vehicles (I&LCVs) and seven Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles (M&HCVs). The company has also thought it fit to introduce

five new buses after a dull fiscal for the bus segment. To offer more agility in the last-mile, Tata Motors is offering four multipurpose vehicles in the SCV segment. In the I&LCV segment, it has introduced vehicles with increased deck length, ultra sleek cabins and with a Gross Vehicular Weight (GVW) spanning across tonnage, from four- to-18-tonne. To find relevance with a larger customer base, the company has also thrown into the mix Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) drivetrains. The M&HCV segment, on the other hand, includes a combination of ‘Construck’,

The SCV and Pickup range Leading the SCV segment, Tata Motors is claimed to provide a livelihood to around 30 lakh people by giving them selfemployment opportunities in rural and urban expanses. To persist with its aspiration of revolutionising last-mile transportation, the new SCV and pickup range while offering a safe, smart and value-creating opportunity is also claimed to maintain versatility. This versatility is extended across applications including in market logistics, distribution of fruits, vegetables, and agri products, beverages and bottles, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Fast Moving Consumer Durables (FMCD). It is also extended to e-commerce, parcel and courier, furniture, packed LPG cylinders, dairy, pharma and food products, refrigerated transport, as well as waste management applications. The range banks on the Ace, Intra SCVs on one end of the

Technical Specifications - SCV and Pickup range Model

Winger Cargo

Ace Petrol CX cab chassis Engine 2179 cc 2.2.L BSVI 694 cc NA engine multipoint fuel injection petrol engine Max Power 100 hp @ 3750 rpm 25 hp @4000 rpm Max Torque 200 Nm @1000-3500 55 Nm @ 2000-3000 rpm rpm Wheelbase (mm) 3488 mm 2100 GVW(max) 3.4-tonne (3490 kg) 1.5-tonne (1510 kg)

Ace Gold Diesel+

Intra V30

702 cc NA DI Diesel engine

1496 cc DI engine

20Hp@3600 rpm 52kW@4000.rpm 45Nm@1800-2000 rpm 140Nm@1800-3000rpm 2100 1.6-tonne (1675 kg)

2450 2.5-tonne (2565 kg)

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spectrum and the workhorse Yodha at the other end. The Tata Ace Petrol CX with a cab chassis is the lowest priced four-wheeler used for multiple applications. Claimed to be the only four-wheeler SCV powered by a two-cylinder engine, its value proposition is a profitable last-mile distribution and sustainable operations. It offers cargo box options including cab chassis, flatbed and CLB(half deck). The Ace Gold Diesel+ is the new diesel variant of the popular Tata Ace Gold which comes with a claim of higher

fuel efficiency and improved driveability and overall drive experience. Available in three colour variants - Irish Cream, Titanium White and Azure Blue, the new mini-truck is loaded with attributes to help elevate the vehicle uptime in terms of duty cycles, load and speed besides the earning potential. In the smart pickup range, the Intra V30 High deck, makes its mark by offering end-to-end, complete solutions. Boasting of a ‘Premium Tough’ design, the pickup is for those looking at lower initial acquisition costs.

Tata Motors is offering easy finance options and ready to use features. The next-gen vehicles are claimed to up the ante with contemporary build including a wide walk through cabin and claims of car-like interiors. With an objective to offer a low TCO, the company has launched the sleek and stylish avatar of the Winger - Winger Cargo. The cargo variant is expected to help meet the growing needs of e-commerce distribution by offering a complete delivery solution. Equipped with a highutility dashboard, the vehicle, in keeping with times, also offers a dedicated branding space on its side panels. On the utility front, it is designed to offer easy loading and unloading of cargo. The I&LCV range Tata Motors is happy with its growth in terms of size, scale, presence and popularity in the I&LCV segment. Claimed to have increased the profit potential of its customers, the range of four- to 18-tonne GVW is for those looking at solutions for the last-mile and medium or long-haul. Introduced with a longer deck length, the new range is designed to meet the evolving needs of the growing e-commerce segment. Providing better maneuverability and

Technical Specifications - I&LCV range Model Engine Max Power Max Torque

GVW(max)

Ultra T.18 SL New generation 5L engine 180 hp @ 2200 rpm 590-700 Nm @1000-2000 rpm with FE switch 4920 17600 kg

407G 3.8 SGI BSVI 4-cylinder 84 hp @2500 rpm 285 Nm@ 1200-1600 rpm

709G CNG 3.8 SGI BSVI 4-cylinder 84 hp @2500 rpm 285 Nm@ 1200-1600 rpm

3305 4995 kg

3800 7490 kg

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

LPT 510 4S PCR BSVI

Ultra T.6 4S PCR BSVI

99 hp @ 2800rpm

300 Nm @ 12002200 rpm

300 Nm @1200-2200 rpm

2775 5490 kg

2950 6450 kg

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faster turnaround, the I&LCV has been launched for e-commerce servicing. In the 18-tonne segment, Ultra T.18 SL is said to offer a bestin-class payload of 11.5-tonne. It is offered in multiple deck lengths (20-24 ft.) and is best suited for long haul transportation. The 407G, on the other hand, is positioned as a CNG Pick-up truck for last-mile delivery. Available with a 10 ft. load tray, the four-tyre CNG truck comes with a large loading area and claims to offer a high performance benchmark.

Built with a 10 ft. load body and shorter-wheelbase, the LPT 510 is for maneuvering the narrow lanes. The all-steel cabin is claimed to offer higher safety for drivers. Enhancing driver comfort, the new Tata Ultra T.6 is launched for faster turnaround. Deemed fit for urban and semiurban transportation due to its compact size, this vehicle exhibits a modular design with walk through features. The M&HCV range

Tata Motors has delivered over 25 lakh trucks so far including over one lakh BSVI M&HCVs. The M&HCVs from Tata Motors are known to offer a wide range including fully-built body options of load bodies, tippers, tankers, bulkers and trailers which carry out good movements. For example, market load, agriculture, cement, iron and steel, container, vehicle carrier, petroleum, chemical, water tankers, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), FMCG, white goods,

Technical Specifications - M&HCV range Model Enginew

Signa 4623.S Signa 4625.S Signa 4221.T Cummins ISBe Cummins ISBe Tata 5L 5.6L BSVI SCR 6.7L BSVI SCR Turbotronn

Max Power

221 hp @2300 rpm

Signa 5530.S Cummins ISBe 6.7L BSVI SCR 305 hp @2300 rpm

Prima 2830.K Cummins ISBe 6.7L BSVI SCR

196 hp @2200 rpm

Signa 3118.T Tata Cummins ISBe 5.6L BSVI 197 hp @2200 186 hp @2300 rpm rpm

850 Nm @1000- 850 Nm 1600 rpm @1100-1600 rpm Wheelbase(mm) 3320 3320

850 Nm @1100-1600 rpm 6800

850 Nm@11001600 rpm 3320

1100 Nm@ 1100-1700 rpm 3320

1100 Nm @1100-1700 rpm 4550

GVW(max)

42000kg

39500kg

55000kg

28000kg

249 hp@ 2300 rpm

Max Torque

45500 kg

Signa 4021.S Tata 5L Turbotronn

850 Nm@10001600 rpm 5080(24ft) 6280 (32ft) 31000kg

302 hp @2300 rpm

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

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perishables, construction, mining and municipal applications. This segment is said to have gained traction and touted as one of the fastest growing segments. The new M&HCV vehicles are equipped with features offering superior performance and lowest TCO. Built for the heavy-duty applications, the new Signa 5530.S offers an enhanced performance and faster turnaround. This 4x2 tractor is designed to meet needs of heavy-duty applications. To enhance the flexibility across duty cycles, Tata Motors has launched Signa 4623.S, a 46 tonne GCW tractor designed for varied duty cycle and applications. Tata has

also introduced a vehicle with industry-first Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, Signa 4625.S with ESCsmart active safety technology for vehicle directional stability preventing roll over of vehicle by selective actuation of service and engine brakes. Signa 4221.T, on the other hand, is built on a five-axle platform providing higher fuel efficiency with a combination of pusher and tag axles at the front and the rear. Developed for a tractor-trailer application, the Signa 4021.S with a axle configuration of 4x2, offers better operational efficiency. Imparting the highest payload in the three-axle truck

segment, Tata’s Signa 3118.T is India’s first 10-wheeler 31-tonne truck with a 12.5-tonne lift axle. The newly launched Prima 2830.K RMC with Rear Engine Power Take-Off (REPTO), is claimed to reduce operating costs by up to 11 per cent. The bus range Commercial passenger vehicle segment was hit hard during the pandemic as people were shying away from shared mobility. Addressing this issue, Wagh mentioned, “Post the second wave we have started witnessing demand recovery on the segment. Gradually people

Technical Specifications - Passenger commercial vehicle Model

Winger 15S

Starbus 4/12

Starbus 2200

Engine

BSVI 2.2 L

Max Power

98.5 hp@3750 rpm 200 Nm @1000-3500 rpm 3488

Full electric drivetrain 328.5 hp

450 Nm @1400-2400 850 Nm@1000-1600 rpm rpm

6300

5400

Max Torque Wheelbase (mm)

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Cityride Prime LPO Magna coach 1315 3.3 L BSVI Tata Cummins ISBe 5.6L 154.2 hp @2600 rpm 220 hp @2300 rpm

6925

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are moving to earlier modes of transportation, especially the ones who are vaccinated. With this we see demand for buses getting back.” He further added that for intra-city bus services, barring the manufacturing, the IT and services of this sector were impacted. With employees moving back to office their need for bus transportation continues to rise. To address this need, Tata Motors has launched a few buses meeting the new regulations imposed by the Government last year. As per the new regulations, the new buses will be 13.5 m long instead of 12 m. Tata Motors is the first to launch a 13 m bus. With schools reopening again, the demand for school buses is also increasing and to meet this demand Tata Motors has also launched school buses. Tata’s passenger CV range focusses on passenger and driver comfort with operator profitability as the underlying theme. Ranging from intra-city school or staff transportation to inter-city travel, the new Tata bus range offers a greener drivetrain mix with CNG, LNG, Hydrogen Cell and BEVs. The new range of passenger commercial vehicles include the Winger 15S

equipped with segment-first comfort features for a luxury ride with a seating capacity of 15+D. Designed for zero-emission urban mass mobility, the Tata 4/12 m Starbus Low Entry electric bus identified as the apt fit offers a seating capacity of 35+ D + wheelchair. To meet school and transportation needs, Tata has also introduced the Starbus 2200 series range while on the other hand, the Cityride Prime LPO 1315, a 10.72 metre bus offers spacious passenger salon and wider gangway. The 13.5 m Magna coach is ideal for luxurious inter-city travel with enhanced passenger comfort. Dealing with covid19 Talking about launching these vehicles amid the ongoing pandemic crisis, Wagh shared the reason behind an optimistic outlook for the second half of 2021. Commenting on the CV industry outlook for FY22, Wagh stated, “Since the Covid-19 second wave we have seen gradual demand recovery across sectors including M&HCV and I&LCVs. The SCV segment has remained resilient through the crisis.” Admitting to the headwinds in the form of rise in operational costs for its

operators attributed to fuel price hikes and hiked vehicle prices, Wagh expressed confidence in the demand recovery and rising freight rates to bring profitability back. To counter the high diesel prices, Wagh expressed hope in the new CNG range offering a price advantage and better operating dynamics to operators. He cited the example of an estimated 40 per cent I&LCVs having migrated to CNG. “We are re-engineering this product range to address the issue faced by the transporters,” he exclaimed. Tata Motors new range is banking on the ability to drive customers towards understanding an even finer segmentation of applications and usages. Developed in a modular format with many aggregates being built separately, the new range can be made available for the export market as well, confirmed Wagh. Talking about the electrification of buses, Wagh mentioned, “Being the leaders in phase one of Fame II for electrification of vehicles, we are supporting the government for city transportation. We have already supplied more than 609 buses.” For electrification, the company is working on a modular vehicle platform and software separately. “We are working with IOCL to deliver the first fuel-cell electric buses in the country,” revealed Wagh. He also spoke of working with few ecommerce players to in turn electrify their last-mile distribution vehicles. The company is also working on setting up charging infrastructure, financial requirements or support to ensure sustainable operations. Apart from this, the company is also working on a strategy to reduce the use of semiconductors without impacting any of the functionality, Wagh concluded.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

game changer |Construction Equipment

Success Mapping

Schwing Stetter is riding high on success. Deepti Thore looks at its strategy and new offerings.

oncrete construction equipment manufacturer Schwing Stetter India is riding high on success. Claimed to have had a best performing year, 2021, since its inception in 1998, the company is staying ahead of its game by adhering to what it calls best engineering practices. Known to have already surpassed its 2020 turnover on a Year-ToDate (YTD) basis in 2021, the 100 per cent subsidiary of Schwing GmbH is executing new strategies to maintain its leadership position. It is eyeing expansion of business, for example, by increasing exports and adopting Industry

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

V. G. Sakthikumar, Managing Director, Schwing Stetter India

4.0 standards across its manufacturing facilities. Stressing on 2021 turning out to be one of the best years for the company after 2018 and 2019 despite the impact of pandemic, V.G. Sakthikumar, Managing Director of Schwing Stetter India in an exclusive

conversation said, “We were quite prepared in terms of meeting the market demand which was coming up due to various measures tahen by the government post the 2019 election. There was emphasis on the revival of the economy, exports, and a lot of incentivisation for the MSMEs.” Taking required precautions, following protocols announced by the Ministry of Health, the company took care of its workers, ensuring smooth operation of the company’s processes. The strategy With the migration happening from CEV Stage III to CEV

game changer |Construction Equipment

Stage IV emission standards for construction equipment vehicles, Sakthikumar shared that the company has already sold out all CEV Stage III machines with a full migration to CEV Stage IV. Talking about the company’s strategy, he explained, “When we had a chance to fit a BSIV machine, we decided that we will not just swap the engine from BSIII to BSIV, we will build a model ground up with the help of customer feedback gathered over thee last three years.” Keeping in mind such customer requirements, the company introduced the Self-Loading Mixers (SLM) in the market, SLM, claimed Sakthikumar, has earned the company a 25 per cent market share in the respective

segment over the past three years. After gaining popularity in the segment, the company developed the SLM 4600. With it, customers can look at higher carrying capacity and attaining higher speeds as a valuable upgrade of their portfolio. With a motive of expanding its footprint in the North-east region of the country, the company launched the new SLM in Guwahati first. Commenting on the market response in the North-East region, Sakthikumar said, “With the Indian Government’s impetus on infrastructure projects and the focus on North-Eastern states, it seemed more appropriate to launch the SLM in Guwahati first.” The company is also carrying out CSR activities in the

region to train the candidates on handling infrastructure equipment and in turn provide them with crucial employment opportunities. Besides migrating to new emission norms and launching new products, Schwing Stetter India also engaged in other initiatives to stay on the growth path. To transition towards Industry 4.0, Schwing Stetter India inaugurated its fifth manufacturing factory at Cheyyar, in Tamil Nadu. Spread across a 50,000 sq. m. built up area, the new state-of-the-art facility is the global manufacturing hub for Schwing’s concrete boom pumps, stationary pumps, self-loading mixers, shotcrete pumps, excavators, wheel loaders and motor graders.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

game changer |Construction Equipment

Built to be sustainable with a natural green cover, the facility ensures digitalisation of all equipment and production processes with an extensive usage of telematics, IoT and robotic machine learning. The smart factory is said to have a centralised energy management system, wastewater treatment and visual and real-time displays on the shopfloor. In addition to this, as a part of the women empowerment initiative, the company has employed women on the shopfloor. They currently account for ~25 per cent of the Schwing shopfloor workforce. The company additionally trained students from the lower strata to help them pursue higher education. On the exports front, Schwing Stetter has already penetrated the international

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

markets, from Africa to Association of Southeast Asian Nations besides catering to the internal needs of the Schwing subsidiaries across the globe. Catering to the export market of Bauma, Munich and Eastern Europe it is also eyeing a penetraion in Brazil, the USA and GCC markets. Talking about the increase in exports, Sakthikumar averred, “We think the geopolitical developments are favouring us with more interest being shown in our India manufactured products for exports to neighbouring regions.” Dealing with the crisis Experiencing one of the best quarters from Jan-March 2020, Schwing Stetter was quite prepared in terms of meeting the market demand. After the initial lockdown in

March 2020, the company’s factories and normal operations resumed only in the month of June 2020. The company was challenged on several fronts in the first phase of the pandemic. Pressure is known to have mounted with a small window for fulfilling the export order book. Located near the Chennai port, Schwing Stetter India benefitted from its strategic location giving it access to the vessels. The April 2020 turnover, relatively higher by 20 per cent is a testimony, pointed Sakthikumar. “We were permitted by the government to work out the foreign exchange too,” he said. Talking about the expansion project, Sakthikumar drew attention to the planned November 2020 take off coming to a grinding halt . He blamed the lack of

game changer |Construction Equipment

permissions for undertaking operations, the issue of 600 construction migrant workers confined to the contractor’s site for an unduly long period among issues adding to the challenges in executing as per planBetween March-July 2020, by building a medical facility with food and shelter, Schwing Stetter India was able to restart operations in August 2020. The factory was inaugurated in February 2021. Future prospects Drawing attention to the upcoming highway projects, Sakthikumar cited the pandemic marred period not deterring the government from awarding new contracts. With investment in infrastructure, Schwing Stetter India has

been rolling out construction equipment since the start of 2021. New demands and new requirements are being discussed in various types of projects. “It’s not only metro rail, high speed train, or dedicated freight corridors or expressways or Greenfield

roads and the national highways but we see projects going beyond the usual,” emphasised Sakthikumar. “We can see a lot of movement in industrial sites, logistic parks and real estate signalling further signs of revival,” he added. Expressing optimism

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

game changer |Construction Equipment

on the future prospects, Sakthikumar opined that times to comes will be good for the sector. Sakthikumar shared how in construction equipment, India ranks third after China and the United States of America. With the infrastructure void being filled rapidly, the need for construction machinery is increasing. The sales of such machines are increasing as a result, he stated. To meet this demand, Schwing is increasing its production capacity. For the boom pump, the company has expanded capacity by 5x compared to pre-Covid times. Similarly, for the SLM this increase amounts to 15x. Having adequate space for fueling the expansion plans, the new hub in Cheyyar will

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

add a manufacturing line for the hydraulic excavators with a 7500 units per annum capacity. From CKD assemblies as of current, the company hopes to do complete assembly beginning January 2022. To support this plan, the company will source a majority of components from the local suppliers. “It is not only the fifth factory, we are in the process of expanding our current facility to meet the demand which we are anticipating for the coming years,” Sakthikumar exclaimed. In 2019 when the finance minister announced the facility of having a custom bordered warehouse in the manufacturing plant itself, Schwing Stetter did so at their new factory in Tamilnadu. It is claimed to be the first

factory to get the facility. With a new testing lab and a welding training school installed with the simulators, Schwing has also committed to train 10,000 operators of construction equipment over the next four years. The company has also signed an Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Uttarakhand government for the Char Dham rail connectivity project for which it is the prime supplier of construction equipment. To ensure a low operating cost and a higher uptime on its machines, Schwing is also offering aftersales services through nine service centres wherein the submitted machines can be managed, end-to-end. The company also offers buy backs and limited warranty provisions.

game changer |Construction Equipment SLM 4600 Schwing Stetter recently SLM 4600 launched the SLM 4600. the flagship product in the SLM Parameters Specifications segment is best suited for Engine 110 Hp (CEV Stage-IV) infrastructure projects across rough terrains. the slm 4600 Transmission four-speed automotive-type has been deployed from the Maximum drum output 4.6 m3 company’s manufacturing facility at Cheyyar, in Tamil Drum slewing 255 Degree Nadu which is also it’s global Drum rotation 0-18 rpm manufacturing hub. Targeted at the urban development Loading shovel 600-litre segment, the flagship model has been designed to meet Water tank capacity 750-litre higher output requirements Max speed 29 kmph of concrete batching, mixing and placing. It will cater Gradeability 24 degree to both the domestic and Steer drive axle Two-stage gear reduction international markets. An outcome of the efforts put Brake Master cylinder actuated disc brakes in by Schwing Stetter’s R&D team, from market study Steering system Hydrostatic steering (Fully Powered) and integration technology Overall dimension (L x B x H) 5987 mm x 2425 mm x 4008 mm like IoT and telematics, the equipment adds to the The SLM comes with optimised hydraulics to advantages of contractors known to work on smaller get the maximum result from the engine; it helps projects and preferring optimised equipment increase the productivity of the machine and investment. The new SLM abides by the new also reduces fuel consumption by almost 15 per emission norms and offers better fuel savings. Fitted cent. “The operator using the machine to make with the latest CEV Stage IV, CRDI Engine, the new concrete will make big savings on cement as the SLM mixer is ergonomically designed to offer best safety to the operator. Built to produce high volumes the calculation is mind boggling,” Sakthikumar mentioned. The machine is designed such that of concrete on an hourly basis, the equipment it returns 40 per cent of the machine costs to the offers better fuel efficiency due to EGR and it’s operator through savings both on cement and extraordinary hydraulic system. Some of the other features of the mixer includes precision batch output fuel within two years of operation, he explained further. Talking about the rental companies which through its telematics, lesser mixing time which provide these machines on hire, Sakthikumar in turn improves the overall output. it also lessens opined they stand to gain from long lasting parts, wear and tear in turn offering a lower maintenance fuel savings and higher productivity. The machine due to an innovative drum design with higher is also designed to meet operator requirements and thickness. The compact and manoeuvreable self comfort. The wall panel, the dash dashboard on the loading concrete mixer machine, offers unparalleled steering assembly can be shifted to suit the height of productivity, versatility, efficiency, comfort and above all enhanced safety. Providing higher accuracy the person like in passenger vehicles. The cabin of the SLM come with an option for air conditioning in water batching with the unique digital flow as well. “With so many benefits offered we are meter, the new SLM is equipped with a distinctive already seeing our numbers and inquiries going up double threaded spiral which gives it homogeneity phenomenally, because our machines are standing and higher strength of concrete. Some of the other out compared to what others are offering in the mixers in the range include models SLM Bee 2.1, market,” sakthikumar claimed. SLM 2100, SLM 2600 and SLM 4300.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

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GAME CHANGER | supplier

Valeo Facings Reach New Markets

Valeo Friction Materials India hit the bull’s eye with its export strategy. Ashish Bhatia looks at the all round efforts undertaken to reach new markets despite a raging pandemic.

he outbreak of the pandemic aggravated the situation and impacted global trade equations. Indian auto component manufacturers, however, in the first half of the fiscal 2020-21, for the first time, witnessed a trade surplus. In effect, the positive trade balance meant that exports outweighed imports. Auto component exports, however, declined by 23.6 per cent to Rs.39,003 crore (USD 5.2 billion) in H12020-21 from Rs.51,028 crore (USD 7.4 billion) in H12019-20. Amidst the trend, Valeo Friction

Materials India (VFMI) proved to be an exception as it hit the bull’s eye. In line with its export strategy, the company’s total export sales accounted for seven per cent of its total annual business in the year 2019. Valeo’s counter-strategy to steer past the slump in the domestic market had the company, in 2020, enter new territories such as South America, the Balkans, SAARC nations and the ASEAN countries. Establishing its business in new territories, VFMI was able to achieve a significant milestone of 145

per cent growth in exports. It accounted for 19 per cent of the overall annual business. The company attributes the success to key initiatives like strategic pricing of the products, effective negotiation, submitting the samples to prospective customers, and rapid testing and validation. The company credits the growth to the proactive and effective planning of deliveries to circumvent the logistic

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

GAME CHANGER | supplier Self-Adjusting Technology A clutch acts as an interface between the engine and the gearbox. It is known to enable the interruption of torque transfer for a gear change. When the clutch is engaged, the full engine torque is said to be transmitted to the gearbox input shaft. The clutch disc, located between the pressure plate of the cover and the flywheel, in the engaged position, has the two facings squeezed between the two friction surfaces. The facing on one side of the clutch disc is in contact with the flywheel friction surface and the facing on the other side is in contact with the cover pressure plate. As per Valeo

studies, despite different qualities and technologies, the facings are subject to wear over time. The loss of thickness of the facings leads to the pressure plate moving towards the flywheel, and the diaphragm in contact with the pressure plate changing. When the actuation force that needs to be applied to the cover via the clutch

and supply chain challenges, efforts to reach out and re-establishing connections with the existing network that enabled the company to leverage new business opportunities. The company especially focussed on identifying new customers in new geographies besides allocating resources for participation in the overseas automobile and components exhibitions to create an awareness around its products and nextgeneration technologies. Focussed on reducing carbon emissions VFMI’s success in exports, in a

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

pedal increases, the pedal effort for the driver also becomes greater. The Valeo Self-Adjusting Technology (S.A.T) ensures that the same pedal effort can be maintained throughout the clutch life. It is achieved by increasing the effective thickness of the pressure plate. Valeo has been producing S.A.T. clutches for car manufacturers since the year 2000. High torque capacity, comfort, compact and robust design, increased durability, efficiency, ease of fit and enhanced clutch life are among the claimed advantages.

volatile environment, is centred around the group’s strong focus on reducing carbon emissions. The company manufactures an estimated 14 million facings per year. It caters to the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segment on one end of the spectrum and the off-highway segment on the other end of the spectrum. In the middle, it also caters to both the passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles segments as part of the entire automotive universe. Deemed as the first auto components manufacturer to partner customers, from concept to completion, the company is claimed to have channelised 12 per cent of its OE sales powered by a 500+ workforce back into Research and Development (R&D) activities. In product-specific measures, to keep a low carbon footprint, the company relies on fibre glass-based technology. It is known to use a range of materials free from asbestos, lead, organic solvents, ceramic

and aramid fibre. The Valeo G5 clutch facings are claimed to offer a longer lifespan and are known to comply with European regulations. The high-performance clutch facings are claimed to be resistant to high temperatures and are manufactured in strict compliance with the global standardisation of raw materials and manufacturing processes to ensure qualitative consistency. Known as the G5 clean technology, it is said to have made VFMI a leader in dry friction clutch facings. The company also manufacturers transmission clutch facings for its segments besides brake friction materials that the company manufactures for the off-highway segment. S.A.T clutch set The company launched the Self-Adjusting Technology (S.A.T) clutch set for Jeep Compass 2.0 Diesel in February 2021. It was an opportunity to tap the potential of the Jeep being

GAME CHANGER | supplier exported to many righthand drive markets like the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Japan, Indonesia, Nepal, and Thailand and the company couldn’t let go of it. VFMI is known to have priced the clutch aggressively as compared to OEs in a bid to gain market share. With a claimed superior quality and durability, the company launched the product for the Independent Aftermarket (IAM). The vehicle population of 1,00,000 presented a considerable opportunity. Prior to it, in 2020, the company also launched seven new tractor parts for models from Mahindra, Farmtrac, Escort tractors and International tractor aimed at addressing the duty cycles that involve stop and go actions. It is claimed to have addressed the associated clutch wear. The clutch sets are aimed at addressing issues like a sticky clutch, soft clutch, hard clutch, high engine revs when the clutch is engaged, a slipping clutch, additional noise, the lack of

pedal ‘give’, or the frequent needs for replacement. As an OE supplier to the agriculture segment, the company bundles the clutch sets with cover assembly, driven plates and release bearings. The innovation cycles have led to the company pool consisting of over 50 parts. The company also became the first IAM supplier for the Maruti Suzuki Super Carry as a testimony to its business interest in the light commercial vehicle segment. VFMI also became the second supplier after OEs to BharatBenz. It added three parts to the portfolio to tap the segment. These included clutch cover, clutch disc and the clutch set.

The aftermarket The company strives hard to maintain the same quality grade in its aftermarket offerings. It is capable of doing so without any additional lead time in tooling. The company is also focused on adding moulded clutch facings to the product mix. Moulded clutch facings are known to be suited to segments associated with higher rpm engines. They are claimed to possess higher physical strength like burst, shear, cross braking in comparison to other moulded materials. These are often recommended for tractor and trailer applications as an example. A look at the product mix reveals product grades like F400, F450, F510 UL, and F510 MCC UL to name a few.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

Cover Story | Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

Industry Talk Building A Green Value Chain In an industry talk session, Jayakumar G, Group President India, Valeo India Pvt. Ltd. speaks to Ashish Bhatia on the changing customer perception driving changes.

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Cover Story | Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

Q. How are you contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and the development of safer driving? Which products in the portfolio are contributing to this vision? A. 94 per cent of our turnover comes from technologies reducing CO2 emissions and improving safety. 10 years ago, Valeo committed to making CO2 emissions reduction its growth driver. Thanks to more than Euro 10 billion that we have invested in electrification, we have become the world leader in the field. Both in low and high voltage. Nearly 60 per cent of our sales now stem from technologies that contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. As a pioneer and world number one in vehicle electrification, Valeo boasts the widest technologies portfolio to support this revolution. Technologies that cover all segments and all use cases, from affordable hybrid solutions to the most powerful systems. Valeo develops electrification technologies and efficient thermal management systems for EVs but also works on weight reduction and efficiency improvements to reduce CO2 emissions. Valeo is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and reach 45 per cent of its objective by 2030. In concrete terms, this means that by 2030 we will have nearly halved our carbon footprint across our entire value chain,

“Valeo is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and reach 45 per cent of its objective by 2030. In concrete terms, this means that by 2030 we will have nearly halved our carbon footprint across our entire value chain.” be it emissions from our plants, our manufacturing processes and our energy supply, or the emissions from our suppliers and the end-use of our technologies. Improving safety on the roads is certainly the other major challenge of mobility. For a long time, Valeo has developed technologies able to help the driver to perceive its environment. Our driving

assistance technologies currently equip one in four new vehicles worldwide. We were pioneers in this field, with the invention, 30 years ago, of the first ultrasonic sensor for parking assistance. Since then we have developed the broadest sensor portfolio on the market including ultrasonic sensors, radars, cameras and the one and only LiDAR on the automotive market in series production and fitted in series production vehicles. Another major lever for improving safety on the roads is visibility systems, that encompass lighting and or wiping. We are the world leader in this field too. One figure sums up the challenge: 72 per cent of fatal road accidents take place at night when visibility is most impaired. The headlights we currently sell today allow you to drive with full headlights on in all circumstances, without dazzling the drivers coming in

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

Cover Story | Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

occupants of vehicles adopting the G5 clutch will experience enhanced levels of driving comfort when changing gear due to the suppression of engine vibrations and the extremely smooth, judder-free, clutch action.

front. The smart lighting systems will go soon far beyond simply improving visibility. They will completely exceed their original functional scope to provide more safety, assistance and driving comfort, drawing the curves of the road, announcing the next bend, reproducing road signs, or even drawing a protected passage on the road to invite the pedestrian to cross. Q. Elaborate on the development of the advanced range of facings for clutches (including moulded facings), tractor brakes and friction washers? A. Increasing emission norms, better roads, growth in infrastructure and increased drive comfort demands by the end customers constantly challenge the development of facings. Increasing emission norms, reduction in packaging space and higher engine speeds in passenger and commercial vehicle applications demand high burst, stable friction at elevated temperatures and low-density clutch facings. For

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

tractor dry disc brakes, high friction facings support the driver to brake with a lesser pedal effort, in turn, reducing driver fatigue and thereby increasing on-field productivity. These are some of the recent developments in the facings for clutches and brakes. Q. What is the G5 clean technology and have there been any recent iterations made to it that you can share? A. In the friction facings, Generation 5 (G5) technology water is used as a solvent. No other organic solvents are used. This helps in CO2 reduction in the manufacturing process. This is a good example of how Valeo’s commitment to environmental protection is now embodied in the extensive product and process design expertise used to eliminate dangerous materials from production processes. The Chennai plant is the second facility in the world to implement this process. Valeo implemented this process at least 10 years ahead of the relevant global regulations. In performance terms,

Q. Staying on brakes, how have you optimised associated emissions for different duty cycles? A. In brakes, we operate in the tractor segment only. Stable high friction even at elevated temperatures reduces the stopping distance. This increases the driver’s confidence on brakes and avoids partial braking during the drive, which in turn saves fuel and hence reduces emissions. When the confidence on brakes is higher, tractor drivers tend to avoid half-clutching, which in turn reduces fuel consumption. Q. How are you prioritising the go-to-market strategy which means catering to different technologies (manual to automatic/single to dualclutch) and vehicle segments on a regional basis across your key target markets? Exports are known to have significantly contributed to the overall revenue. A. Valeo has development and manufacturing sites distributed across countries. This is based on regional demands and the availability of competent manpower. In India, the Automotive market is dominated by manual transmission - across

Cover Story | Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

different formats of vehicles - three-wheelers, passenger cars, SUV, MUV, micro to large trucks, buses and farm equipment. Hence, our Chennai facility leads dry facings for manual transmissions and supplies facings to Valeo, LuK, ZF, Eaton, Exedy and other domestic clutch makers. We also export friction facings to the global market from Chennai. Exports have grown significantly in 2020 for us despite the covid pandemic, which has contributed to the revenues for Indian operations. The development of facings for wet applications happens in Europe. Q. How are you leveraging the Chennai R&D centre as a global hub with learnings and resultant efficiencies introduced over the pandemic-marred fiscal? A. Valeo’s Chennai R&D centre caters not just to local developmental needs, but also the needs of Valeo’s global sites. Our Chennai R&D centre provides engineering support across varying domains Mechanical, Simulations, Electronics, Software & Vision systems. Our R&D centre in Chennai was operationally supporting both local and global engineering development despite the pandemic induced uncertainties. Exposure to local and global projects across continents and varying products, processes has helped our engineering teams to

develop skills and standardise development activities. This has helped the R&D centre face the pandemic. Local market demands drive the need for building competencies locally. For example, a manual transmission will last longer in India than in other countries. This makes India, and hence Chennai, the ideal centre to grow dry friction development for Indian and for Global needs.

“Increased awareness on safety and increasing regulatory demands will necessitate the growth of active safety functions including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and the drive monitoring systems.” Q. How has your exposure to the OE and aftermarket changed over the last five to eight quarters? What is the revenue mix? A. Valeo has been a strong player in the aftermarket since 2012 and the business has been consistently growing with double-digit Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for the last four years. Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns

had resulted in a slowdown in the automotive market in 2020 both in the OE and aftermarket. The market is expected to recover in the coming months. Q. What is the outlook for the foreseeable future? A. India is already amongst the top four automotive markets in the world. Changing customer perception on safety, health and hygiene in the post-pandemic world will drive the changes in the Indian automotive industry. Two-wheelers and threewheelers will see a rapid shift towards electrification in the next five years. In passenger vehicles, ICE will continue to coexist with EVs for some time, but with additional measures including hybridisation increasing their efficiency and reducing emissions. This will give the space for homogeneous transformation in the industry ICE to EV transformation. Increased awareness on safety and increasing regulatory demands will necessitate the growth of active safety functions including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and the drive monitoring systems. Overall, in the next decade, we will see a major transformation in the automotive industry, which will be greener, safer and smarter. We will also see many new segments emerge for the first and last mile connectivity and delivery. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

Conference

E-Mobility India Forum 2021 At the maiden edition of the E-mobility India Forum 2021, the stakeholders touched upon the crucial transitionary phase to e-mobility. Sumesh Soman shares the roadmap for the industry to realise its vision.

esse Frankfurt India hosted the maiden edition of the E-Mobility India Forum 2021 powered by the NGV India Summit. Held in New Delhi, the forum witnessed a footfall of 155 delegates who drew attention to the building blocks of India’s electric future in the whole of the energy mix. The topic of discussions spanned from ‘Future of mobility post the conversion to EV’; ‘EV Incentives’; ‘Policy, Challenges and Government support in accelerating electrification’; ‘Opportunities and Challenges for Auto OEMs’; ‘Accelerating EV Component Manufacturing

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

growth through Make in India’; ‘EV Infrastructure and Innovative Business Models’ besides holding interactive knowledge sharing sessions for EV Startups on their approach into the future. The stakeholders deliberated on the country’s impending transition to e-mobility and touched upon the challenges and opportunities en route to realising the end objective of zero emissions. The forum assumes significance as it was held with the backdrop of India committing to meeting its global obligations, most recently at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26).

The forum had stakeholders revisit the commitments on reducing the trade deficit by way of cutting oil imports, and tackling air pollution at a time when Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) emission is at its highest in the national capital. Automotive continues to be blamed for the debacle. Sudhendu J Sinha, Advisor, Infrastructure Connectivity and Electric Mobility vertical, NITI Aayog remarked, “The sector is significantly important as the focus of India’s transformative mobility paradigm shifts in terms of shared, connected and electric to meet our global obligations and reduce the negative impact on the cost of importing oil and increasing air

Conference

pollution in building a self-reliant India.” “The country’s transition to an electric mobility system can save USD 330 billion (Rs.20 lakh crore) by 2030 on avoided oil imports alone,” he opined, setting the tone of the congress. “India’s per capita car ownership is low, with less than 20 vehicles per 1,000 citizens (compared with 800 per 1,000 in the U.S. and 85 per 1,000 in China), though without intervention, this number is likely to increase. This allows shifting to EVs earlier and avoids issues of “lock-in” by an increase of ICE vehicles,” he added. Crystal gazing The forum set the milestones by crystal gazing at the future of mobility post-India transitions to EVs. N Mohan, Head - EV Charging Infrastructure, Convergence Energy Services Ltd. drew attention to the advancements in the domain of dashboards, to begin with. He credited the role of the Internet of Things (IoT) and

the expected robust network of charging infrastructure for such a change. Expect that by then, the country would be in a position to eradicate range anxiety among EV owners and potential customers. KC Sharma, Superintendent Engineer (Mechanical), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways expressed how the EV transition was expected to curtail the carbon footprint and would in turn contribute to a cleaner environment. Considering the number of ICE vehicles that are on road, the EV counterpart must make a significant penetration to create a difference. On the issue of localisation of EVs, Sharma advocated the need to curtail imports. “The indigenous production of batteries and other components for a self-independent EV ecosystem with component level localisation is a must,” he said. He added further that battery swapping would also play a crucial part in addressing

range anxiety. Of the opinion that battery swapping was key to increasing the longevity of battery packs, he cited OEM specific chemistries for selfproducts as a teething issue that needs to be dealt with. “No two vehicles have the same battery compatibility and that technology is yet to be developed. And it will prolong the life span of the vehicle,” he opined. Failing which, he said, it could push the adoption of battery swapping to the advanced stages of the EV transition. EV Incentives and policies The government and the OEMs were lauded for a collaborative effort to boost the adoption of EVs among Indian consumers. Schemes like FAME were hailed as the perfect example of the government doing its bit to help the OEMs by way of concessions and incentives developing and manufacturing EVs and their components in India. OEMs on the other

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

Conference

hand have introduced lucrative discounts and worked out subscription-based ownership models to lure customers. This was acknowledged as a significant contributor to the traction witnessed in the form of EV sales witnessed during the tough last pandemic marred fiscal. Sudhendu J Sinha, Advisor, Infrastructure Connectivity and Electric Mobility vertical, NITI Aayog, shared how OEMs are ramping up their supply of products on one end of the spectrum with new OEMs joining the race courtesy a low-entry barrier. At the moment, commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles both are witnessing a surge of electrification of vehicles. Every OEM is known to be attempting a portfolio expansion with the addition of an EV in its portfolio. Sinha reiterated the importance of localisation and hailed NITI Aayog for its focusing on battery packs. He stated, “The

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

targets are not in years but weeks and months when it comes to EV timelines. And NITI Aayog has studied the success stories of EV manufacturers across the globe.” Crediting the NITI Aayog for initiatives expected to drive sectoral growth, and the efforts to encourage out of the box thinking and innovation at the grass-root level, he expressed confidence of such collaborative efforts together with the industry would prove fruitful in helping consumers overcome their range anxiety and battery life sooner than later. Opportunities and challenges As authorities and manufacturers ramp up to meet the demands of e-mobility, there are tailwinds and headwinds. Speaking on the road ahead, Kaushik Madhavan, VP - Mobility, Frost & Sullivan advocated the need to incentives the purchase of EVs to drive sales as the desired

outcome. He drew attention to the battery pack’s second life as being crucial and one that needs to not be overlooked as part of its complete lifecycle. This in turn will help build a strong ecosystem, he said. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head, Audi India drew attention to the company heading for 100 per cent EV sales by 2026 and turning a complete electric company by 2030 building on the strategy to terminate the use of diesel internal combustion engines going forward. Speaking on the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, Balbir admitted to the incentives trickling only in the distant future. There was a unanimous consensus from the panel on the transition from BSIV to BSVI having made manufacturers heavily invested to comply. The panel cited that, the pressure mounted owing to the push for electrification soon thereafter and coincided with the headwinds

Conference of the pandemic that induced losses. The market has been the most volatile since all agreed. The role of the government in setting up the charging infrastructure was termed crucial and the need to identify strategic locations like stadiums during the off-season to boost the implementation was cited. Guruprasad Mudlapur, Chief Technology Officer at Bosch, called India a tough market and opined that a TCO and capacity led growth would pave the way for higher EV volumes. India needs to progress beyond subsidy lead growth, he said. Gajanan Gandhe, Vice President and Country Head at Dana India gave an example of the company aiming for 60-70 per cent localisation levels of the motors. “The low-cost products will eventually phase out, and only premium products will have longevity coaxing consumers to pay a premium for such a product,” he mentioned. He gave an example of Dana India exporting half a billion worth of goods from India to make a case for local manufacturing in the country. On segments expected to do well, he made a strong case for PCB manufacturing. Atul Arya, Head-Energy System Division, Panasonic India made a crucial comment when he cited the surge in demand for EVs putting pressure on raw materials. “It is a challenge even for cobalt, copper and other raw materials. There is a huge demand. And companies are trying to push batteries that use less of these raw materials,” he shared. Accelerating EV component manufacturing Guruprasad cited how electronic components had increased in both ICE and EVs alike. This has also increased complexity, he

admitted. If these components are imported, then the production cost is bound to go which in turn will reduce the demand for the vehicle, he explained. He urged OEMs to focus on EVs especially the batteries, the very pivot of the vehicle. “Localised batteries will be of great help in controlling the product costs. The PLI scheme and the make in India programme must be leveraged to accelerate EV component manufacturing in the country,” he stated. Atul pointed at the importance of investing in batteries to realise a low TCO. “Investing in quality components is important for the growth of EVs. The research environment must be pushed further,” he exclaimed. EV Infra and innovative business models Calling it a classic example of the chicken and egg story, the panel set out to deliberate on the infrastructural push and the role of innovative business models in the last leg of the forum. The stakeholders agreed that the way forward on the infrastructure of EVs needs to be one where the OEMs and energy suppliers progress regardless of the government support. Policies and incentives must be used as a supplementary push and not

the decider of the industry’s fate. Sudhendu made a crucial point when he said that for every 100 units of electricity spent to move an EV, 37 units were renewable. “The energy needed to push a vehicle a kilometre forward is 40 per cent less as compared to ICE. So EV is the future, there is no choice here,” he beamed. Sunjay Kapur, Chairman, SONA Comstar Ltd and President, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) opined that the supply chain, infrastructure, customer outreach and communication requires a complete overhaul with the focus now shifting towards EVs and green mobility. “India stands at the cusp of a revolution that can completely alter the mobility scenario in the country. Looking at this grand opportunity, the E-Mobility India Forum provided an apt platform to discuss the way forward for the EV industry and to help bring various stakeholders together to create an ecosystem for the future of EVs in the country,” he concluded. The event, in hindsight, succeeded in bringing the industry up close and personal at a time of a crossover with such key developments set to drive the future.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

Conference

Dassault 3DExperience Forum 2021 The annual Dassault 3DExperience Forum 2021 focussed on the industry bracing digitisation in a post-pandemic era. Sumesh Soman brings out key insights from the discussions that took place.

he Dassault 3D Experience Forum 2021 was held in a hybrid format, in Bengaluru, over September 15-16’ 2021. Deepak NG, India Managing Director, Dassault Systèmes set the tone of the proceedings as he touched upon new industry challenges in the age of experience. Notably, the forum took place in the midst of crucial industrial changes. To start with, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme was approved for the auto and auto components

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industry with a Rs. 25,938 crore outlay. It came close on the heels of the scrappage policy framework being ascertained for the industry. Fuel prices persist on the highs and continue to influence the demand dynamics. It is also said to be making a stronger case for the supply side to focus on electrification as the industry goes about its ‘zeroemission goals. At the heart of innovation With the backdrop of the business, societal and consumer

impacts bringing about a fast change in the global environment, innovation was the focal point at the annual forum. Transportation and mobility, aerospace and defence where Dassault is active found an apt representation. In a roundtable discussion, the experience was deemed crucial for customer relationship management. It was linked to innovation keeping humans at the front and centre. Bernard Charles, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dassault Systèmes, expressed, “With the

Conference

Deepak NG, India Managing Director, Dassault Systèmes

Bernard Charles, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dassault Systèmes

pandemic, we could clearly see what makes a difference when it comes to sustainable business and innovation: a deep purpose, the platform phenomenon, and the quality of human relationships.” He explained that the 3DExperience platform as a relationship platform was capable of laying the foundation of creating an inclusive, intelligent, measured and continuous relationship with the value chain. Samson Khaou, EVP, Asia Pacific, emphasised on the importance of partnering customers in their journey of digital transformation and their growth agenda in a granular manner. Olivier Ribet, EVP, EMEAR correlated strategy, software engineering, and business development as vital cogs at the core of innovation. Erik Swedberg, EVP, Americas at Dassault Systèmes, linked it all and spoke of the importance of moving to a customer-first business approach to the sectors of interest for Dassault. It was unanimously agreed that businesses were forced to recalibrate in the aftermath of the pandemic with digital transformation across the board.

Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Hinduja Group

Trends and role of technology The session on trends and the role of technology in New Product Development (NPD) highlighted the significant shift being witnessed by customers and manufacturers alike. Attributed to both external and internal factors, the shift in consumer preference influencing supply-side dynamics were highlighted by Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Hinduja Group in his keynote. “People are not just after the frugality of the vehicle, a considerable section of the demography is now preferring cockpit features, ADAS, safety kit, connected tech accessibility over the erstwhile preferences of looks

and performance,” cited Hinduja. Taking Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) and EV as a case study, he spoke of manufacturers being forced to offer enhanced features, once limited to the top-end variants on the base models like hatchbacks today. A means to create a lucrative ladder with product variants in the portfolio, Hinduja gave an insight into manufacturers classifying the customer base. Broadly classified into four categories, it showed an ascendance from pre-millennials, and millennials (18-35) to gen X (36-50) going on to the silent generation (7085). Of these, he claimed around 75 per cent were known to be influenced by technology and

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

Conference

Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA

Sanjay Chakraborty, Chief Information Officer, Larsen and Toubro Defence

cognitive interfaces. He called upon the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to drastically alter their thinking patterns to complete the product experience strategy and make it relevant to this new and changing target demographic.

collection. The employment scorecard reveals a contribution of 37 million jobs (direct and indirect) according to Mehta. Admitting to lockdowns having had a major bearing on the industry, Mehta expressed confidence in the industry bouncing back given a healthy recovery in the second half of 2021 (H2-2021). Mehta expressed confidence in the PLI and policies focussed on the export compositeness coupled with increasing localisation paving the way for a further reduction in India’s trade deficit. India’s trade deficit reduced to 0.5 bn in FY20201, he said. On EVs, Mehta made a revelation of the industry missing sales targets for 2019-23. In an effort to meet an overall sales target of 15,55,000 vehicles, for instance, twowheelers were offset by ~94 per

Outlook by ACMA The outlook of the auto components industry was linked closely to future participation in the electrification drive. There are sweeping changes across the board with vehicle segments unexpected to lead the drive joining in the bandwagon. The PLI scheme and the FAME II outlay has revived the industry interest in bringing about the change sooner than later. Vinnie Mehta, Director General at Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) gave a backdrop of the auto components industry playing a major role in the future of mobility given its track record of GDP contribution. The industry contributes 7.1 per cent to the GDP as a whole. This is broken down into 27 per cent to the industrial GDP, and 49 per cent to the manufacturing GDP. It accounts for eight per cent of the overall exports and accounts for 15 per cent of the total GST

Commercial Vehicle December 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

cent; three-wheelers by 97 per cent; e-passenger vehicles by 97 per cent. Mehta expressed hope in the PLI for Advance Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery allocation of USD 2.5 BN over the next five years and the extended FAME II scheme (by March 31, 2024). He concluded by cautioning the industry on projections being attainable subject to the sustainability of demand and economic recovery. TAKING A CUE FROM DEFENCE MANUFACTURING Sanjay Chakraborty, Chief Information Officer, Larsen and Toubro Defence shared cues of leveraging technology for enhancing the efficiency of the Indian manufacturing ecosystem. He called for building a sustainable infrastructure and an application backbone for supporting business excellence. Chakraborty urged the need for putting in place an integrated planning and execution system for a seamless exchange. He cited the importance of an in-progress quality assurance process, a connected supply chain, CAD tool integration all leading into a data-driven decision-making system. By doing so, automotive companies can look forward to enhanced business opportunities and operational excellence as envisioned.

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Intact Goals In an industry talk session, Tanuj Mittal, Director of Sales, and Customer Process Experience India at Dassault Systemes shares with Sumesh Soman how the goals of growth in digitisation remain intact. Q. What is the future of digitisation in the industry? How is it linked to Dassault Systemes in India? A. The future looks really bright. The pandemic played a catalyst to push the industry towards digitisation. The pandemic has accelerated the adoption and advanced it by years. Subject to situation not changing drastically from where we are right now more and more organisations continue to rely on digital means of working. So, I mean, even if you see projections from industry, consulting organisations like Gartner etc., the overall investments from the industry are expected to rise. Dassault Systemes’ contribution is an essential and very critical part of the whole manufacturing ecosystem. So, right from facets like capturing customer thoughts to designing products, to eventually manufacturing and supplying every aspect of this digital requirement will be catered to by Dassault Systemes. This is a good opportunity to partner and collaborates with the industry. Q. With offerings like the DW Suite, what can we expect from Dassault Systemes? A. In manufacturing, on the shop floor, there is tremendous traction.

Especially in the auto component manufacturing segment where manufacturers are coming to us to explore how digital technologies can be leveraged for optimising production. So less number of people, but the same or more output in a linear way is what the industry is desiring. We see the Delmia portfolio play a greater role. At the moment the industry is looking at the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) from a traceability perspective but then the spread is huge. As the industry matures, and as they experience working with MES, we expect to play a greater role in the future. Q. Apart from catering to OEMs and ODMs, is there a plan in place to expand the clientele? A. Yes, of course, I mean, we cater to all segments of customers. It is not just OEMs and the ODMs. In India, you will see that we have a major presence in the auto components supplier community. So starting from tier1, going on to tier2s and tier3s, all sorts of companies are able to leverage our technology to meet their business needs. The bigger focus is on verticals like automotive, aerospace, and defence and mining to name a few.

Q. What is your take on the scrappage policy and impact on the automotive exposure? A. If you see from a consumers’ perspective, those people who have already invested in a car, may feel a little jittery about it, but then from an industry perspective or from an economic perspective, it is going to act as a catalyst for growth. Q. What are the initiatives taken by Dassault under CSR? A. Through the La Foundation which is very actively engaged in CSR activities, primarily the focus is on skill development. So, we work very closely with academic institutions to see that this technology is taken to the students and academicians so that they understand this technology. The objective is to make them relate to the real-world problems in the industry and help them to build a pool of industry-ready skilled manpower. Q. Will it be a product offensive strategy in 2022? A. No, so the plan is that we have to surpass the level of achievement in 2019, I would say, so that goal remains intact, and we are well on track to achieve that. And for 2022, hopefully, without any further waves of the pandemic, we will be on our growth path in India.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | December 2021

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