COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INDIA JANUARY 2022 by Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd

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Volume 16 Issue 04 • January 2022

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Product Launch | A Farm Equipment Special

Setting The Bar Higher

Regional Orientation | The LNG Puzzle /commercialvehicle

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Dealership Corner | FortPoint Automotive

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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

Ashish Bhatia

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Going For A Higher Yield

The innovative and progressive farming lot is known to upgrade themselves and incorporate global best practices for a higher yield.

t’s the onset of the new harvest season! Time to celebrate and also thank for the bounteous harvest made possible. Someone I know drew my attention to farmers not having the luxury of “Work From Home”. Despite the endless debates of a pandemic turning an endemic or a near-endemic giving birth to a new mutation, the farming community in India and globally, must be lauded for feeding us well. Committed to the soil, they have had the share of challenges in the form of natural calamities leading to crop loss among other hardships. Harbouring no ill-will, this time sees them let bygones be bygones. Farm mechanisation is their best bet. The innovative and progressive farming lot is known to upgrade themselves and incorporate global best practices for a higher yield. Seeing this hunger to evolve, farm equipment manufacturers are giving back to the community in the form of nextgeneration products. From offering a wide range of tractors and implements to rolling out Trem-IV compliant products to innovating with greener drivelines like electric and hybrid. To ensure fatigue reduction, for example, AC cab Tractors have arrived onto the scene. We at Team CV pay our humble tribute to the farming community with this Farming Equipment special. We also have a regular dose of CV trends to go along in the first issue of 2022. Please also find the nomination and methodology forms for Apollo CV Awards 2022 in the end pages and send in your entries by the stipulated deadline to make the cut. No matter where you are from, I wish you a Happy Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Pongal, and Magh Bihu. Good health, and contentment to all in the new year.

Ashish Bhatia ashish@atashishbhatia.com a.bhatia@nextgenpublishing.net

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This Month In CV

JANUARY 2022

Cover story

Setting The Bar Higher Volvo Trucks India has set the bar higher with its Heavy-Duty range of FM and FMX series trucks. Ashish Bhatia gives a lowdown on the strategy, banking on the new workhorses.

THE BOTTOMLINE Ashish Bhatia

Regional Orientation After unveiling the range of 21, a regionally oriented Tata Motors moves to a phasewise commercial launch. Prateek Pardeshi finds out what’s in it for the customer in the Maharashtra leg.

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

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This Month In CV

NEWS  50,000 startups registered in India  RBI credit policy  GoI Promotes MSME exports  Duty renewed on China make axles  Pay a hefty fine for overloading  Tata Motors deliver e-buses to AJL  New ALL high power engine  Bada Dost wins for Design Excellence  NITI Aayog e-Sawari India coalition  SM Vaidya is President - World LPG Body  Olectra Greentech e-bus factory  E-Ashwa EVs  Bharat Petroleum partners BARC  Bajaj Auto partners Ananda Dairy  One lakh sales of Super Carry  Mahindra and Reliance partner for EVs  Sentient hydrogen powered drivetrain  Mumbai leg of Invest Rajasthan  TII forays into electric CVs  New year new prices  Bridgestone L370HL for CE  Gati-KWE surface transhipment centre  Cummins hydrogen fuel cell centre  Advanced Switch Mobility centre in Spain  REE and Hitachi America partner on EVs 44 Covestro CV Solutions Covestro India is rooting for the penetration of high-tech polymer materials in CVs. 47 The LNG Puzzle LNG for transportation. 50 The Hybrid Auga M1 AUGA Group has launched the M1 hybrid tractor. 52 Plugged-In: Social media highlights.

Scan QR code to get started

Sonalika Tiger Series: Sonalika International Tractor launches the Trem-IV compliant Tiger tractor series.

Mahindra Yuvo Tech + Mahindra Farm Equipment has launched the Yuvo Tech+ tractor series.

26 Third Generation John Deere: John Deere India is assuring farmers a marked improvement in operations.

Ticking The Boxes: Mumbai based dealership FortPoint Automotive has emerged stronger from the pandemic.

40 New Decade New Goals: FM logistics India released a new strategy for the next decade.

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 | January 2022

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50,000 startups registered in India The cumulative startup strength indicated by registrations in the country has hit the 50,000 mark. Drawing attention to the feat, an indicator of a welloiled ecosystem, Piyush Goyal, Minister for Commerce and Industry, Textiles and Consumer Affairs said, “We have a startup system across the length and breadth of the country. It’s the third largest ecosystem in the world.” Notably, out of the 79 unicorns in India, four are from Pune alone. Women are also known to be an important pillar of the foundation in nearly 46 per cent of these registered startups. In a city-wise bifurcation, it was revealed that Pune accounts for 3200 startups with 3274 startups registered out of Mumbai in a healthy neck to neck competition. The minister called for the need of a continued collaboration between startups, industry, academia and research.

RBI credit policy The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) continued its accommodative stance. RBI Governor, Shaktikanta Das began drew attention to the Gross Domestic Produce (GDP) expansion by 13.5 per cent. He expressed satisfaction with external financing requirements remaining moderate. Informing that one must take cognisance of policy actions being mobilised at an unprecedented scale, Das cited the unity of various stakeholders brought about by the pandemic. Keeping a status quo on policy rates and statistics, the Governor admitted that private investment had been lagging and consumption remains below the pre-Covid19 levels. However, in a silver lining, both the exports and the imports are known to have surpassed pre-Covid19 levels. Headwinds continue with supply-side bottlenecks, and volatile commodity prices. The Governor also admitted to Omicron adding to the complexities.

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

GoI promotes MSME exports The Government of India (GoI) is taking several steps to promote and diversify MSME exports. Out of the USD 198.26 bn worth of exports between April-September, 2021, MSME related exports accounted for ~45.80 per cent (valued at USD 90.80 bn). The GoI initiatives include the establishment of 52 Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs) with an aim to provide requisite mentoring and hand holding support to MSMEs, for exporting their products and services in turn to global markets. In addition, 102 Enterprise Development Centres (EDCs) are offering professional mentoring and hand holding support services to existing as well as aspiring entrepreneurs with a special focus on rural enterprises. Through the MSME technology centres, technical support and consultancy services are provided. Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and Rebate of State and Central Levies and Taxes (RoSCTL) scheme launched with effect January 01, 2021 are among the initiatives to promote MSME exports.

Bulletin

Duty renewed on China axles The anti-dumping duty on trailer axles were due for expiry on November 28, 2021. It entailed import from China PR and a levy valued at USD 0.14 to USD 0.46 per kilogram on trailer axles in completely knocked down and semi knocked down form. In the latest notification from the Directorate General of Trade Remedies, the Department of Commerce, the duty has been renewed. The anti-dumping duty on the product was first imposed by the Ministry of Finance in November 2016.

Pay a hefty fine for overloading

Tata Motors deliver e-buses to AJL

The menace of overloading trucks was expected to end with the revised axle load norms rolled out in July 2018. It had led to an increase in the rated loading capacity of trucks. Over three years since the new norms came into force, overloading is known to continue. To tackle this afresh, the Maharashtra state government has imposed fines under the category of traffic offences under the Motorvehicle (amendment) Act. As per the notification, a fine of Rs.40,000 split between the driver and the truck will be levied. An additional amount of Rs.2,000 per tonne will have to be shelled out on any excess load accounting for the liability of expenditure. A Regional Transport Office (RTO) official will monitor the off-load in person to assess the violation. The ramifications of such an imposition will be interesting to watch out for.

Tata Motors Ltd. delivered 60 e-buses to Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd. (AJL). Supplied under the FAME II initiative through a Gross Cost Contract (GCC), the Ultra-urban 9/9 AC buses delivered under the contract will ply on the Ahmedabad Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor. The 24-seater zero-emission buses will cater to the emerging regions in the city besides the route leading to the new airport. Flagged off at the Sabarmati River Front Event Centre by the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel and Kiritkumar Parmar, Mayor of Ahmedabad, in the presence of dignitaries from the Gujarat state government will see the buses being backed by supporting infrastructure.

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Bulletin

New ALL high horse power engine Ashok Leyland Ltd. (ALL) has partnered with Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) for the development and manufacture of high horse power engines. The company announced the development of a 600 hp, indigenous engine series for combat vehicles under the ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ initiative. These engines are known to have been inaugurated and tested by Pravin K Mehta, Distinguished Scientist and Director General (ACE) in the presence of senior officers of DRDO and Ashok Leyland at the Engine Development Centre, Ashok Leyland, at Vellivoyalchavadi, in Chennai. The engine is claimed to have been developed in record time despite the Covid-19 induced restrictions using modern and innovative methods. ALL is looking at innovating the mobility space for defence requirements and is expected to put the engine series through the paces ahead of their application in tanks.

Bada Dost wins CII Design Excellence award The Ashok Leyland Bada Dost has won the CII Design Excellence Award under the category of ‘Mobility Design: Four wheelers commercial vehicle’. Commenting on the feat, Dr Saravanan N, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Ashok Leyland Ltd. said, “This is a testament to our efforts in creating designs that meet the expectations of our customers, improve the driver’s experience, and at the same time create a vehicle that is efficient in the transportation of goods.” Offering best-in-class features, the Bada Dost scores high on efficiency, comfort, profitability and scores high on desirability for aspiring light commercial vehicle owners.

NITI Aayog e-Sawari India coalition

SM Vaidya is President World LPG Association

NITI Aayog has joined hands with Convergence Energy Service Ltd. (CESL) and the World Resources Institute, India (WRI India) to launch ‘e-Sawaari India Electric Bus Coalition’. Launched with support from Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI), the coalition will help as a knowledge repository. It is an attempt to impart learnings on the e-bus adoption in India among various stakeholders. It will extend to the central and state governments, city-level government agencies, transit service providers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), financing institutions and ancillary service providers. While promoting electrification of public transport in bus segment through this initiative, NITI Aayog, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Amitabh Kant highlighted its crucial role in the decarbonisation strategy. According to Om Prakash Agarwal, CEO of WRI India, e-Sawaari will facilitate discussions and help identify innovative solutions for scaling up the e-bus adoption. It will also offer fresh impetus to the e-bus segment by uniting cities, the private sector and financiers who will work jointly to address the teething issues as per Rohan Shailesh Modi, Asia Co-ordinator - TUMI e-Bus mission.

The Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., S M Vaidya is the new President of the World LPG Association (WLPGA). Elected during the recently concluded World LPG Forum 2021, in Dubai, by the General Assembly of WLPGA, Vaidya will be the second Indian to head the world body. Commenting on his appointment Vaidya expressed, “I look forward to leveraging my enriching experience as the leader of India’s top energy major in driving the vision of WLPGA.” He expects WLPGA to play a defining role in ensuring a sustainable and greener energy future for the world. WLPGA, headquartered in Paris aims at driving premium demand for LPG while promoting sound business and safe practices.

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Bulletin

Olectra Greentech e-bus factory Olectra Greentech Ltd. has plans to set up an e-bus factory which the company claims will be India’s largest. To be built on the outskirts of Hyderabad, it entails an investment of over Rs.600 crore. The new plant will have the capacity to roll out 10,000 units per annum. Spread over an expanse of 150 acres, Olectra will also sweat the plant for developing electric threewheelers and trucks. Olectra aims at eliminating it’s dependence on BYD with the new in-house capabilities including a 50 member R&D workforce. The company will look to take an advantage of incentives given its eligibility under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme as per reports.

E-Ashwa EVs

E-Ashwa caters to both Business-toBusiness (B2B) and Business-to-Customer (B2C) markets. The manufacturer is known to have rolled out 12 models of which eight are three-wheelers. The rest being two-wheelers. Through its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Ghaziabad, in Uttar Pradesh, the vehicles rolled out will be directed to a retail network of over 630 exclusive outlets and franchisees pan India. The three-wheelers are designed for both passenger and cargo-related, diverse duty cycles.

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Bharat Petroleum partners BARC Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) collaborated with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to scale-up the alkaline electrolyser technology used for green hydrogen production. Claimed to be a first of its kind initiative to help the nation achieve its renewable energy targets and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, it is an improvement over the erstwhile ways. Instead of refineries having to use large quantities of hydrogen for desulfurisation, the electrolysers will help produce green hydrogen from water. Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director at BPCL said, “We intend to scale up indigenous alkaline electrolyser technology and look forward to commercialising it for large use especially in refineries.” Looked at as a step towards the journey of achieving net zero emissions by 2040, BPCL wants to expand its portfolio of renewable energy with solar, wind and biofuels.

Bulletin

Bajaj Auto partners Ananda Dairy Bajaj Auto Ltd. signed an agreement with Ananda Dairy Ltd. under the ‘Swarozgar yojna’ for North India. As per the agreement, Bajaj Auto will supply Maxima cargo vehicles to Anand dairy. Bajaj Auto is known to have supplied over 100 vehicles so far over the past few months in Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab. All vehicles under this partnership are known to be financed by State Bank of India (SBI) at a low interest rate for Bajaj Auto. The vehicles are further customised depending on the duty cycle.

One lakh sales of Super Carry

Since the launch of the Super Carry five years ago, Maruti Suzuki Commercial has hit the milestone of 100,000 cumulative unit sales. Known as the only mini-truck with a four-cylinder engine, the Super Carry finds use for loading at the lower end of the spectrum and upto pickup truck duty cycles. According to Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., “Super Carry has proven that mini-trucks can be powerful, comfortable to drive, easy to maintain and profitable for the owner and that is the reason why customers vouch for its quality.” The S-CNG variant is another feather in the hat of the manufacturer. Available in both petrol and CNG, Super Carry, shared Srivastava, is the second best selling mini truck in Indian light commercial vehicle segment.

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Mahindra and Reliance Industries partner for EVs Reliance BP Mobility Ltd. (RBML) operating under the brand name Jio-bp and the Mahindra Group, announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU will explore the development of a range of EVs and associated services besides identifying synergies in low-carbon and conventional fuels. The MoU focusses on two aspects: To explore creation of solutions on battery swapping technology for electric three-wheelers and to explore business models like Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS). It will also focus on charging solutions provided by Jio-bp for Mahindra vehicles. Jio-bp has opened its first mobility station in Maharashtra which also holds an EV charging infrastructure.

Bulletin

Sentient hydrogen-powered drivetrain for long-haul Sentient Labs, an innovation lab incubated by KPIT Technologies Ltd., drew attention to green mobility alternatives other than BEVs. The company unveiled a hydrogen fuel cell prototype bus in Pune wherein the drivetrain is developed in collaboration with National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI). Ravi Pandit, Chairman at Sentient Labs said, “This will go a long way in powering the hydrogen mission, ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ and importantly sustainable

mobility.” Sentient Lab is claimed to have designed and developed all components in-house including the balance of plant, powertrain, battery pack and the fuel cell. Chief guest Dr Raghunath Mashelkar, Member of Board of Directors,

Mumbai leg of Invest Rajasthan

Sentient Labs opined that digitisation, decentralisation and decarbonisation will be the pillars for India to realise sustainable mobility solutions as he expects Sentient to play a pivotal role in a standout effort. The unveiled prototype is powered by a modular platform suited to nine metre, 12m, and 13.5m buses. The nine metre bus on display is a 32-seater, air-conditioned bus on the Eicher Skyline Pro platform. The proto is claimed to have a 450 km range on using 30 kg of hydrogen from the Hydrogen storage tank.

Early in December, the state government of Rajasthan collaborated with CII for the ‘Investors Connect’ programme, in Mumbai. Aimed at attracting investment in the state of Rajasthan, the forum highlighted unique investor advantages such as the Infrastructure edge the state commands. Claimed to have India’s largest industrial land bank, rich in natural resources such as agricultural and minerals complete with rich human capital, a pitch was made for investment in multiple sectors including automotive. At the event, with this prelude to the state level investors summit, the state secured MoUs with an estimated valuation of Rs. 1,27,459 crore and procured Letters of Intents (LoIs) worth Rs.67,379 crore, totalling over Rs.1,94,800 crore investment in commitments. As a direct outcome, an estimated 1,44,000 new private-sector jobs will be created and stand to boost the state’s growth prospects. Commenting on this achievement, Shakuntala Rawat, Industries and Commerce Minister of the Rajasthan Government said, “The state government has taken a very unique initiative by setting up a single-window. Any investors looking to invest over Rs.10 crore in the state can apply easily and start doing business.” Investments over Rs.100 crores are also entitled to benefit from a customised incentives package, she informed. The summit moved out from Mumbai to other cities to take the objective of ‘Invest Rajasthan’ forward.

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

TII forays into electric CVs TI Cycles of India (TII), part of the Murugappa Group announced the Montra brand to lead its Electric Vehicles (EVs) business. Montra will enter the EVs segment business with a focus on the last-mile delivery and personal mobility. Under last mile commute TII’s first offering will be an electric three-wheeler expected to launch in Q1FY2223. In the last mile delivery segment, three-wheeler electric cargo vehicles will be introduced. Commenting on the announcement, Vellayan Subbiah, Managing Director, Tube Investments of India said, “Our foray into EVs is a step forward in line with our long-term vision, to be an integral part of e-mobility and revolutionise the automotive segment.”

Bulletin

New year new prices Tata Motors has announced an impending price hike of its CV range. An increase in price in the range of 2.5 per cent will come into effect from January 01, 2022 for the entire range basis individual model and variant of the vehicles. The increase in the prices of commodities such as steel, aluminium and other precious metals, in addition to higher costs of other raw materials is known to drive the upwards revision. The company is claimed to absorb a significant quantum of the hike by introducing costs at various levels of manufacturing. The steep rise in overall input costs makes it imperative to pass on some residual proportion through a minimal price hike. Among other OEMs to follow suite are Ashok Leyland that will increase prices to the tune of two per cent. VE Commercial Vehicles is also looking at a markup to pass on part of the raw material cost increase on its customers. Shamsher Dewan, Vice President, ICRA said,

Bridgestone L370HL for construction vehicles

Bridgestone India launched its new tyre for construction vehicles. Aimed at the tipper owners who operate in a high load segment, the L370H is claimed to be made from a special tread compound offering an excellent cutchip resistance on off-road. The L370HL is suited for the heavy load segment and will be made available in the size 295/90 R20. The tyre is in block and shoulder lug design for heat radiation and block tear resistance respectively. Dual nylon chafer is another special feature of the product which the company claims will protect the highly stressed body ply turn up,. The spread of stresses over a larger area in turn help reduce cracking. Cost efficient logistics are key to the economics of the construction and mining sector, and the tyre suits this profile.

“The hikes are due to pressure on the raw material side, but on the other hand demand has also improved. Particularly for heavy trucks aided by demand from infrastructure spending, e-commerce and retail.”

Gati-KWE transhipment centre Gati-Kintetsu Express Private Ltd (Gati-KWE) is claimed to have launched the largest Surface Transhipment centre (STU) on the western peripheral expressway at Farukh Nagar, in Haryana. Spread over an expanse of 1.5 lakh sq. ft. the land parcel connects major National Highways (NH). Customers can look forward to added advantages such as optimised supply chains, reduced dwell times and seamless connectivity. The STC, designed in accordance with green standards, is expected to provide unparalleled customer service devoid of bottlenecks. The facility is also equipped for short-hauls to northern India and long-haul delivery’s pan India. Notably, the STC has an ability to roll off 1000 trucks per day. It has a loading capacity of 15,000-tonnes and a daily package volume capacity of over 600,000-tonnes. Gati-KWE plans to set up five similar STCs across Mumbai, Nagpur, Indore, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Bulletin

Cummins hydrogen fuel cell centre Cummins Inc. opened a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain integration centre at West Sacramento, in California. Aimed at scaling up the green hydrogen economy in the United States, Cummins is invested in the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). At the facility in California, spread over an expanse of 18,000 sq. ft. the focus will be on PEM. The latter is considered to be a good solution for high-power transportation applications, like heavy-duty or long-haul trucks. Designed specially for hydrogen innovation, including safety features, the new facility

houses fuel cell integration and fuel cell powertrain development including testing, controls and electrical engineering.

Advanced Switch Mobility centre in Spain Switch Mobility Ltd. established a new advanced manufacturing and technology centre at Castilla y León, in Spain. In line with the global strategy, the centre will provide production and R&D hub for the company’s e-buses and light commercial vehicles. Dr Andy Palmer, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Switch Mobility Ltd., stated in a company release, “Supporting our well-established sites in the UK and India, our Spanish facility will provide us with crucial access to the European market.” With a Euro 100 mn investment earmarked for the next decade, the company expects to create an employment opportunity for 7000 people either directly (2000 talent direct jobs) or indirectly (5000 indirect jobs). The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to take place on January 27, 2022. The two state-of-the-art production lines can be expected to rollout the first set of buses in the fourth quarter of 2022 (Q42022). These lines will also cater to the requirements of South America.

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

REE and Hitachi America partner on EVs Hitachi America and REE Automotive have announced their partnership to ease and accelerate the adoption of EVs. It covers the entire EV value chain, including enabling manufacturing at scale, delivering commercial vehicle charging infrastructure and energy management. Under the partnership, comprehensive digital fleet management and operations will aid organisations to make the transition to EVs. The partners will accelerate the development of advanced digital solutions for REE customers by co-creating a highly scalable Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) and Analytics-as-a-Service (AaaS) platform. Leveraging Hitachi’s Lumada data platform and REE’s platform modularity and horizontal business strategy, the partners aim to bring to market a truly modular, smart EV solution to serve all segments, including delivery, logistics, and mobilityas-a-service.

Product Launch |Farming Equipment

Sonalika Tiger Series Sonalika International Tractor launches the Trem-IV compliant Tiger tractor series. Sumesh Soman looks at the strategy to accentuate the heavy-duty range.

onalika International Tractors Ltd. (Sonalika) has launched the latest additions to the Tiger series. Aimed at turning TremIV emissions compliant and at the same time expanding its Heavy-Duty (HD) offerings on the upper end of its 20120 hp range, the company recently launched the Tiger DI 75 and the Tiger DI 65 tractors. Launched at an introductory price range of Rs.11-11.2 lakh, their introduction coincides with the harvest of the Rabi, and the end of the winter solstice. The tractors are made available in both Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) and Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) variants to offer a

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Raman Mittal, Executive Director, Sonalika Group choice best suited to customer requirements. The Tiger series sits atop the premium range of tractors from the manufacturer and targets customers in this upper end of the spectrum with HD requirements. Raman Mittal, Executive Director,

Sonalika Tractors, mentioned on the Kisan Diwas (Farmer’s Day), “Our farmers put in praiseworthy efforts every single day and on the Kisan Diwas, we are launching our most advanced Tiger DI 75 4WD tractor with powerful and fuel-efficient CRDs which is a technologically advanced system that delivers twin benefit of power and economy.” Claimed to have been built with the sole belief of delivering farm prosperity, affordably, explained Mittal that every new technology innovation at Sonalika is built with a clear focus to deliver outstanding performance for higher farmer productivity. In this case, the Tiger draws from its European pedigree since the 2019 launch there. As per

Product Launch |Farming Equipment Technical Specifications (Available in 4WD and 2WD) Parameters Engine Capacity No of cylinder Power

DI 75 Four-stroke naturally, aspirated water-cooled, CRDi engine 4712 cc Four 75 hp

DI 65 Four-stroke naturally, aspirated water-cooled, CRDi engine 4712 cc Four 65 hp

RPM Max torque Transmission Clutch Steering Hyd lift capacity

2200 290 Nm 12-speed (+12R) Double with IPTO Power 2.2-tonne (2200 Kg)

2000 258 Nm 12-speed (+12R) Double with IPTO Power 2.2-tonne (2200 Kg)

Mittal, it makes the product mix with regional centric tractors like the Maharaja, Chattrapati, Sikander and Mahabal more comprehensive. Features The new tractors feature twinbarrel headlamps with DRL and lend to the chrome-finished front grille. The tail gets LED DRLs. Hop aboard the tractor and its premium standing is justified by the deluxe four-way adjustable seat. The tractors feature a fully digital CAN-based instrument cluster to aid the long and arduous onfield time backed by the power steering claimed to make manoeuvring an easy task. The XL wide workspace houses a multifunctional console and a high stance seating that offers the pilot a 180-degree peripheral view. The 5G hydraulic control valve offers 130 auto depth settings and a high lift capacity of 2.2-tonne for easy lifting of heavy equipment. Specially engineered gears on the Tiger make it suited to over 30 applications including a 4 MB plough, mulcher, reaper, 12-ft harrow, rotavator, baler, TractorMounted Combined Harvester (TMCH) to name a few.

Tractor ability The common denominator of the Tiger series driveline is the 4712 cc CRD engine coupled to a 12-speed (plus 12R) shuttle tech transmission. The DI 75 nomenclature denotes the 75 hp engine that delivers a peak rated torque of 290 Nm whereas the DI 65 engine churns out peak rated power of 65 hp and 258 Nm torque. The top speed of the DI 75 is limited to 40 kmph, while that of the DI 65 to 35.65 kmph. Mittal explained, “Our latest Tiger 75 4WD tractor complies with Trem-IV emission norms and offers the power of a 75 hp tractor with the fuel efficiency of a 65 hp tractor. Equipped with class-leading torque and speed, the new Tiger DI 75 and Tiger DI 65 is a way of Sonalika to reward the farmers for their hard work and passion.” Bundled offering Both the Tiger DI 75 and Tiger DI 65 tractors are equipped with ‘Sky Smart’ telematics system that brings onboard features like an engine immobiliser, real-time support for quicker turnarounds and higher uptime, vehicle geofencing and tracking to name a few. The company boasts its CRDs benefits and claims that

the Trem-IV complaint tractors deliver a high power, and eightto-ten per cent improved fuel efficiency. They also offer a 12-15 per cent higher engine durability. Sonalika has upped the game with its aftersales service too. The company is claimed to offer a 3x2 service promise wherein a technician will be onsite at the owner’s doorstep within three hours and offer a complaint redressal with a two-day turnaround time. “Back in 2016, we were the pioneers from India to introduce newer technology like CRDi complying with European and American emissions standards and we will continue to introduce cutting edge technologies for farmers in India as well as abroad,” Mittal mentioned. Both new tractors will play a vital role in steering ambitious farmers towards a better tomorrow and further accentuate Sonalika’s HD tractor range for leading the Agri evolution in India,” he concluded. To mark the occasion, 44 Sonalika tractors were delivered to progressive farmers selected for innovation in agriculture at the hands of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath under the government’s flagship scheme ‘Krishak Uphar Yojana’.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Product Launch |Farming Equipment

Mahindra Yuvo Tech+ Mahindra Farm Equipment has launched the Yuvo Tech+ tractor series. Deepti Thore checks on the new addition to the mix.

M Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

ahindra & Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector, launched three new tractors under the new Yuvo Tech+ range. Available as Yuvo Tech+ 275, Yuvo Tech+ 405 and Yuvo Tech+ 415, the new tractors are based on the next-generation Yuvo tractor platform launched five years ago by the company. It boasts of a powerful engine, transmission with ground up, new features and advanced hydraulics. The advanced tractor range is packed with what the company claims are best-in-class features. Speaking about the offering, Hemant Sikka, President – Farm

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “At Mahindra, our brand purpose is to transform farming and enrich lives. The new advanced mZip engine technology, transmission and hydraulics technology of Yuvo Tech+ make it the most advanced tractor in its respective segment. Customers can look forward to features like a back-up torque, 12-speed transmission (plus 3R), lift capacity, adjustable deluxe seat, and powerful wrap-around clear lens head lamps that make it stand out from competition. Suitable for any soil condition and multi- applications these tractors are backed up with a

six-year warranty. Adding to its versatility are 30 duty cycles. Claimed to have been rolled out after over 150,000 hours of extensive testing across applications and terrains, the tractor series will be made available for Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Gujarat in phase-one. In addition, the company has also launched the Yuvo Tech+ 475 DI, Yuvo Tech+ 575DI and Yuvo Tech+ 585DI with more to come from the platform. Special care has been taken to back the launches with a robust after sales network. features & Applications Designed and developed at Mahindra’s Research Valley (MRV) in Chennai, the Yuvo

Product Launch |Farming Equipment

Technical Specifications Parameters Engine Power Maximum Torque (Nm) Maximum PTO power (kW) Rated (rpm) Rear Tyre Hydraulic Pump Flow (l/m) Hydraulics Lifting Capacity (kg)

Yuvo TECH + 275 37 hp (27.6 kW) 146 Nm 25 kW (33.5 hp) 2100 6 x 16 13.6 x 28 30 l/m 1500

Tech+ range, explained Sikka, opens doors to new possibilities in the farming segment. It is powered by a three-cylinder M Zip engine with parallel engine cooling and enhanced back up torque up to 25 per cent. It’s peak rated torque of 183 Nm for the 42 hp tractor offers greater coverage with a quicker turnaround time. Offered with best-in-class PTO suitable for rotary implements and fuel-efficient engine. it is claimed to offer a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The H-M-L speed range offers

Yuvo TECH + 405 39 hp (29.09 kW) 170 Nm 26.5 kW (35.5 hp) 2000 6 x 16 13.6 x 28 29 l/m 1700

Yuvo TECH + 415 42 hp (31.33 kW) 183 Nm 28.7 kW (38.5 hp) 2000 6 x 16 13.6 x 28 29 l/m 1700

more speed options to select for agri applications. The tractors are also equipped with planetary drive and reliable and durable helical gear with advanced constant mesh transmission for ease of shifting gears. The tractors come along with a high precision control valve to ensure a uniform depth of sowing. This range is made available with enhanced lift capacity of up to 1.7-tonne (1700 kgs) for easy loading and unloading. The range is also supplied with a factory fitted tipping trailer pipe. Designed to

offer comfort, the tractors are furnished with a spacious and full platform for easy entry and exit. Dual acting power steering ensures a comfortable driving experience for drivers enabling them to work for longer hours. The tractors are designed to offer good ergonomics by way of the pedals and levers design enhancements. Some of the most known implements of Mahindra Yuvo Tech+ range are the cultivator, rotavator, gyrovator, thresher, MB plough, sprayer, trolly, harrow, disc harrow, cage wheel puddling and potato planter.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Product Launch |Farming Equipment

Third Generation John Deere John Deere India is assuring farmers a marked improvement in operations. Prateek Pardeshi looks at the new inclusions under the heads of ‘Power’ and ‘Technology’.

Prabhat Saxena, Vice President at John Deere India Pvt. Ltd.

head of the new harvest season, John Deere India Pvt. Ltd. went back to the drawing board. It did so to not only comply with the muchanticipated rollout of the Trem Stage-IV emission norms but also used the opportunity to value-add under the heads of ‘Power’ and ‘Technology’. At the event, synonymous with the glimpse into the future offerings of the company, the company unveiled the John Deere 5305, 5310, 5405 and the 5075E AC Cab tractors. Through each of these, the company has attempted to enhance operational efficiency and improve drive-ability with special attention to lowering operator fatigue. Prabhat Saxena, Vice President at the company drew attention to digitalising every aspect of farm mechanisation. The inclusions on board the

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

new generation of tractors, he exclaimed, is a testimony! High uptime and drive ability The new range of John Deere India (John Deere) tractors offers a higher speed, higher power-to-weight ratio, and comes in what the company claims to be an attractive and elegant design. The new lineup is claimed to be fuelefficient and said to deliver higher power with an upshift blip. Aerodynamics play a critical part here in helping operators achieve optimum fuel efficiency with powerful engines, explained Sumit Raut, Senior General Manager, Marketing at the company. To attain this objective, a new aerodynamic canopy lends to the overall modern styling and plays a crucial role in aiding engine air circulation, added Archana Sharma, Product

Portfolio Planner and Business Relationship Manager in the virtual launch. To offer farmers greater flexibility at operating their tractors at the hour of their choice, the new tractors bring on-board features claimed to enhance low-light visibility. It has opted for LED head lamps coupled with combination switches for the task, she informed. To enhance operator comfort, there is tilt-able power steering paving the way for easy ingress and egress. To account for the higher operational time and long hours of cruel drive ergonomics often blamed for operator fatigue, the manufacturer has designed an improved seat. On the whole, the driver cockpit is known to be freed up with rear floor extensions. The hand and foot throttle and digital instrument cluster are signs of the tractor

Product Launch |Farming Equipment turning more contemporary. A 71-litre fuel tank offers longer haulage times reducing the need for frequent refuels. The skeletal drivetrain offers an enhanced lift capacity of over 2.5-tonne. This is made possible with a range of Trem-IV electronically governed (John Deere Power Tech engines with EGR) 55-75 hp engines mated to a new shift range with a 12-speed transmission ( plus 4R). The tractors offer 2100 rpm with a 500 hours service interval and a lifting capacity of 1.6-2.5-tonneforce. The operator gets to select from two torque modes depending on the duty cycle and an over 38 per cent torque backup aimed at operability in tough soil conditions and heavyduty haulage operations, explained Hemani Thapliyal, Manager Product Design at the company. Depending on the requirement farmers can opt from the 55 hp John Deere 5305 with a lift capacity of 1.6-tonne-force (1600 kgf); the John Deere 5310 with a twotonne-force (2000 kgf); the 63 hp John Deere 5405 with two-tonne-force (2000 kgf with 2500 kgf as optional) and the 75 hp John Deere 5075E AC Cab with a towtonne-force (2000 kgf with 2500 kgf as optional). The high lift capacity is courtesy the ‘Liftpro’ feature suited to the four-row potato planter, and three-bottom reversible MB plough implements. The tractor comes with a factoryfitted double Selective Control Valves (SCV) for hydraulically operated implements like a dozer and a reversible plough.

Technical Specifications

Max lift capacity (kgf) Fuel tank (litres ) Wheelbase (mm) Overall length (mm)

5305 55 Dual Clutch 1.6 60 2020 3512

5310 5405 5075E 55 63 75 Dry Dual Clutch, Dry electro Hydraulic Clutch 2.0/2.5 (optional) 71 2050 3678

Overall width (mm)

1844

2243

Parameters Engine (hp) Clutch

The AC cabin draws from the European tractors and is expected to make the fieldwork more attractive to the innovative and progressive set of farmers. It is expected to enhance operator efficiency. The high uptime with the new Perma clutch (with a five years John Deere warranty) uses an advanced multi- disk wet clutch technology and is expected to be a distinct addition to the mix. On one hand, the clutch is expected to eliminate the need for frequent adjustments and on the other hand, through oil-cooling PTO, it offers a longer life. Safety is enhanced by the electrichydraulic EOV. It is available on the entire range and is deemed a new industry benchmark by the manufacturer. Value additions John Deere through the ‘Anubhuti app’ enables remote access for customers. Be it ordering spare parts, booking service slots at the nearest touch point or

helping touch base with local John Deere authorised technicians. Customers can also look forward to corporate communication including product releases, offers, and dealer promotions. They can stay abreast of demos and events organised by John Deere dealerships in the vicinity. For both new and existing customers looking to purchase or upgrade, John Deere Financial is offering an ‘automated credit decision’ and an instant approval within 24 hours for loan sanctioning. e-KYC and e-signature facilitate an easy verification process. It is also linked with UPI for offering a payment gateway to the customers pan India. These third-generation tractors assure a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and are now available for bookings. Delivery is expected to commence on January 14, 2022, in time with the onset of the new harvest season, concluded Saxena.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Cover STORY

Setting The Bar Higher Volvo Trucks India has set the bar higher with its Heavy-Duty range of FM and FMX trucks. Ashish Bhatia gives a lowdown on the strategy banking on these new workhorses.

olvo Trucks India is a well-established player in the premium HeavyDuty (HD) trucks segment. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is not one to rest on its past laurels though and draws from its legacy when it comes to keeping on pushing fronts like innovation and product refinement. It’s offerings go-beyond the pursuit of offering tailor-made solutions for the intended customer and

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

their respective duty cycles. The OEM, in India, is yet again setting the bar higher with late last year’s launch of the Volvo HD range of FM and FMX trucks. The company’s India strategy of setting a new benchmark with diverse applications, as per the company’s Senior Vice President, B Dinakar is to set a new benchmark. To attain the objective, the company is banking on its new workhorses. Volvo Trucks India (Volvo Trucks) customers can chose

B Dinakar, Senior Vice President, Volvo Trucks India. from six HD trucks launched in the second quarter of Financial Year 2021 (Q2 FY2021). In an

Cover STORY

exclusive chat with Commercial Vehicle Magazine, B Dinakar shared the rationale behind this significant portfolio. “Our trucks serve in some of the most demanding and time-critical applications and this new range of trucks are built to push the limits of productivity with a strong focus on improving the driver environment and safety,” he stated. Backing it with equally industry benchmark service, “Volvo Trucks in India with this range has expanded its range of transport solutions,” he expressed. The new portfolio is expected to help it to cater to the unique requirements of various applications in India, in line with the strategy to create a pull with the modern, productivity- and safety-

oriented trucks. For example, the FMX 460 8x4 20.3 cu.m truck is designed to deliver a superior combination of agility and durability aimed at the mining segment. With the FMX 460 8x4 20.3 cu.m and the FMX 460 8x4 33 cu. m as solutions, the company is confident of serving well its coal transportation set of customers. The OEM has upped the ante with FMX 500 8x4 off-road dump truck, claimed to be a completely new solution for tough mining application requirements. It boasts of increased front axle loads of 20-tonnes and a 38-tonne bogie. Expected to be deployed by fleet owners in some of the most demanding assignments, it comes with an additional 15 per cent higher-rated payload

capacity, cited B Dinakar. Beyond the proven performances in the mining segment, Volvo Trucks India, he admitted, long-harboured the intent of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to diversify beyond mining. A testimony to this vision fructifying is the FM 420 8x4 23 cu.m solution designed especially for road construction and mega infrastructure projects. On the other end of the spectrum, the FM 420 4x2 tractor solution is designed for high-speed, long haul applications like e-Commerce, Just-In-Time (JIT) supply chains backed by a focus on enhancing driver comfort, improved aerodynamics and offering better connectivity. Synonymous with Over

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Cover STORY Dimensional Cargo (ODC) movement, Volvo Trucks, in India, has also added the FM 500 6x4 puller to its portfolio.

Watch out for the excerpts of the ‘Industry Talk’ session with B Dinakar, Senior Vice President of Volvo Trucks India, in the upcoming issue of CV.

Differentiating factors Volvo Trucks India has delivered on its promise to enhance productivity and driver comfort through incorporation of differentiating factors, opined B Dinakar. For starters, the OEM has increased the cabin volume by 1000-litres in turn enhancing the working expanse. Adding to the driver cockpit is a larger windscreen, lowered door lines, and new mirrors. These additions are claimed to have enhanced driver visibility by a margin of 10 per cent. It directly correlates with driver safety, he quipped. In addition, driver comfort is also claimed to have been enhanced significantly over the predecessors with the inclusion of better Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels attained across the board. In the case of the FMX 500, the OEM has also fitted a passenger corner camera giving the operator the provision of coupling it with four additional cameras to further enhance the visibility much like the European counterparts. The OEM has also installed a new interface to its driver consoles. The new layer of information and communication

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

is aimed at offering a simpler, easier to navigate interface for better accessibility to the inbuilt functions without the risk of the driver being distracted during the drive. The front-end is powered by a digital, 12-inch driver interface that relays the performance and maintenance parameters like the pre-trip check and intuitive traction display. In select variants, there is a supplementary nine-inch touch screen display that encompasses infotainment, phone connectivity, driver guide, real-time driver behaviour mapping, transport information and camera monitoring. The operator additionally has the flexibility to choose from Android Auto among other third-party app installed based on the customer’s application. Drivers can also connect their phones to the truck through Bluetooth for a more comprehensive connected experience. The suite of enhanced safety systems and improved operational efficiency is made up of a rear-view camera on all mining trucks. This is aimed at ensuring safety while loading and unloading. The new generation trucks are equipped with Electronic Braking System (EBS) as a standard inclusion. Through downhill cruise control, drivers can set the maximum

speed and avoid any accidental or unwanted acceleration, especially when travelling downhill in a laden state. This is also expected to increase the brake life. Volvo Trucks has also upgraded the I-shift lever by loading it with new software said to offer additional drive modes. The engine management system version 2.4 is said to be a significant upgrade over the predecessor 2.2 and boasts of design upgrades as well. The I-Roll function aids in disengaging the engine in an ‘Idle’ scenario. The new trucks offer better aerodynamics and real-time driver coaching which in turn facilitates an improved fuel efficiency. The service offerings are further made more comprehensive and leverage digitalisation with the help of ‘Volvo Connect’ telematics solution acting as a hub for accessing performance parameters. It includes fleet management services like positioning, and performanceboosting services like fuel and environment for real-world tracking and driver skills on an individual basis. Here the 12 Volvo uptime centres spread across India are known to play a crucial role. In another benchmark, the engine oil drain interval has been increased by up to 20 per cent.

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Regional Orientation After unveiling the range of 21, a regionally oriented Tata Motors moves to a phase-wise commercial launch. Prateek Pardeshi finds out what’s in it for the customer IN THE Maharashtra leg.

ata Motors addressed customer needs for high vehicle utilisation with its mega launch of 21 vehicles in the third quarter of financial year 2022 (Q3FY22). With the Bharat Stage VI (BSVI) range of vehicles, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) addressed the entire spectrum by reiterating itself as a full-range CV player. The company showcased products across the Intermediate & Light Commercial Vehicle (I&LCV), Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV) segments, in both cargo and passenger variants. Through

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

alternative drivelines in the mix, it addressed customer demand for green mobility solutions as well. To take this range to its customers pan India, the OEM has adopted a regional orientation as part of its nationwide launch. It is expected to help it maximise its return on investments and meet the customer requirements on both a national and international scale. Averred a Tata spokes head, “Our aim was to launch 21 new vehicles in 2021. With this new range, we have coupled new technology with safety,” on the sidelines of the dealership and fleet customer meet, hosted

in Mumbai. The event was attended by key members of the Tata Motors Sales and Marketing team who succeeded at driving home the point. A value offering Taking the launch of 21 products in the year 2021 to its dealership and fleet customers in Maharashtra, the OEM displayed all six flagship products from the range of 21.. The showcase included the Tata 407 Gold CNG from the I&LCV segment flanked by the Ultra LPO model 1315/54 chassis. The M&HCV segment was represented by the Tata Signa 2818.T, Signa 4625.S,

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Team Tata Motors at the Mahotsav.

and the Signa 5530.S. Drawing attention to the construction equipment prowess, the company showcased the Tata Prima 2830.K. Beyond just making its range BSVI compliant, Tata Motors revamped several aspects to enhance the value offering for its dealership and customers in general. For example, the ‘Power of 6’ encompasses the ‘Power of Greater Profits’, ‘Power of Enhanced performance’, ‘Power of Increased Driving Comfort’, ‘Power of Greater Convenience & Connectivity’, ‘Power of Greater Value’, ‘Power of Improved Safety’ and Security’. Tata Motors’ is confident of its mobility solutions helping businesses to maximise profits, and enhance safety features for both driver and pedestrian safety. Special attention was drawn to more recent inclusions of a newly developed truck hub unit, and gear shift advisor to name a few. Tata Motors, shared the company’s spokes head, invested over two-years that involved the pandemic at its peak, in developing the

revamped range. Each of the display’s, a flagship of their respective segment also drew attention to the value-additions like the ‘Sampoorna Seva 2.0’ scheme. From longevity of spare parts to addressing the service intervals. Since the roll out of the new fleet of vehicles, Tata motors, notably, is claimed to have surpassed the one lakh sales milestones in a testimony to having addressed customer needs, on point. New trucks new features The new generation products are focused on safety. This is evident from provisions like the new brake liners which are claimed to be up to 40 per cent more efficient over their predecessors. Coupled with H2LS braking, it is claimed to have significantly enhanced road safety with hill-start aid more prevalent in advanced models has made its way to the fleet. In keeping with the needs of the customer for the long haul, the company has paid attention to adequate lubrication too. The hub lubrication is blamed for a slow turnaround time and

has been addressed with a self lubrication hub setting a new benchmark of no greasing for an estimated five lakh kilometres. The new range of products offer the driver a flexibility to opt for a fuel economy based on load, terrain and speed. From new high power engines gaining traction in line with the improved power-to-weight ratio on offer have resulted in the hauling capabilities improving. To address the customer requirements for better operability, the trucks are now equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a safety feature acting as a stabiliser when detecting a tilt, roll, or kicking in during critical manoeuvres. Reverse manoeuvres of such heavy machines have always been a risky affair needing manual intervention. The rigid body trucks will now be offered with reverse cameras in a bid to offer the pilot an improved field of vision. New developments in construction trucks are the elimination of Power Take-Off (PTO) given the superstructure’s new capability of drawing power

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Cover STORY

Tata Prima LX 2830.K with new hub and superstructure. directly from the engine. This is expected to significantly reduce overheads associated with the maintenance of PTO as well as aid in light-weighting. Further, the new generation Tata trucks also support engine braking wherein the valves are known to open before the charge is ignited. By doing so, the power stroke is lost and resistance is increased in turn contributing to the lower power consumption. It is no secret that lower the TCO, higher is the fleet owner’s profitability. To enhance the connect-ability of the trucks, Tata Motors has developed a new telematics unit which allows the fleet operator to scan through critical ‘big data’ on a real time basis. This includes monitoring key performance

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

metrics like the speed, location, driving behaviour, fuel on board and so on and so forth. To scrutinise the driving behaviour further, the data is reclassified into green, orange, and red basis the need to address these on priority. All minor to major details are relayed to the cloud.

Assuring uptime Tata motors is banking on its widespread network of approximately 1500 plus service workshops pan India, including at the authorised dealers and service centres. The company has expanded its dealerships to 1463 nos in India, out of which 87 are from the state of Maharashtra.

Cover STORY

Tata Prima LX 2830.K interior (top). Interior auxilary funtion buttons (left). Tata Motors to make these solutions available to customers. Commenting on the MoU, Rajesh Kaul, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors is known to have said that the extensive three million customer database and sustained years of expertise in the sector, Equitas SFB will help us extend beneficial offerings to CV customers across the nation.

Tata Motors and Equitas SFB under the new MoU will offer easy financing to SCV customers.

More than 160 plus Tata genuine parts distributor touch points across India back it up. The OEM is also offering an additional warranty on the driveline spanning over six-year or 6000 hours (whichever is earlier). Easy finance Tata Motors recently rolled out an easy financing option for

SCVs. Under it, Tata Motors and Equitas SFB rolled out a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration is expected to make CV finance more accessible to the aspiring purchasers. Equitas SFB’s vast network across the country, which includes 861 branches and 550 plus CV consumer touchpoints will be used by

Outlook Tata Motors will extend its regional strategy to include more customers pan India. The feedback from dealerships and customers in this region are expected to be put to good use by the CV major. The company in Q3FY2022 sold 49,164 units of SCVs, three per cent higher over the same period last year (Q3-FY2021). It sold 15,828 I&LCVs at a 22 per cent growth rate and 22,016 units of M&HCVs at a 15 per cent growth rate. Going forward, Tata Motors expects to bring new technologies to life, such as air bags for enhanced safety. A face lift of the Tata Prima is under consideration too, concluded the spokes head.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Dealership corner

Ticking The Boxes

Mumbai based dealership FortPoint Automotive has emerged stronger from the pandemic. Ashish Bhatia visited the Eicher Truck and Bus dealership to see how it is ticking all the boxes for customer satisfaction.

Jayant Pagare, Chief Operating Officer (HD), Fort Point Automotive Mumbai Pvt. Ltd.

ealerships have had to face a spree of the tough quarter on quarter with slack in business when the pandemic was at its peak. Even so before the pandemic forced businesses to shut shop, literally! They were no exceptions when it came to businesses being hit hard, onwards March 2020. Daily operations were sent into a spin for most with cashflows

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

severely impacted as a result of the order pipeline drying up. Matters became only worse with lockdowns enforced, rendering dealerships incapable of conducting daily operations including sales, aftersales and managing spare parts like they were used to. In-person. Physical meets were at the heart of their business operations preCovid-19.

The pandemic for FortPoint Automotive Mumbai-based Fort Point Automotive Mumbai Pvt. Ltd. (FortPoint) is regarded amongst the top VE Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (VECV) dealerships. For Eicher Truck and Bus, it happens to be an important touchpoint for the commercial vehicles business from the Thane, Bhiwandi and Kalyan belt. The pandemic is known to have

Dealership corner

made it difficult for FortPoint to interact even with its regular set of customers where business was assured. Service bays lay empty with vehicles unable to reach in time for regular service and checks as signed up. To give a perspective of the dealerships contribution to VECV sales volumes, according to Jayant Pagare, Chief Operating Officer (HD), in booming times, the company would register Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) sales of ~ 6000 units, on an annual basis. “We witnessed good traction in the Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) tractor-trailer segment which witnessed a steep decline owing to volatility with the onset of the pandemic. From 5000 odd sales volumes, every month, volumes nose-dived to 500-600 odd vehicles,” he mentioned. The challenges only mounted with the rollout of Bharat Stage VI (BSVI) in April 2020. FortPoint found it hard to touch base with customers for closures. Explained Pagare, “The need of the hour was to create a greater

customer awareness around the new rollout of the technology. Without which it was difficult to make closures.” The need of the hour was to convince customers of the superior offerings and Unique Selling Points (USPs) of the VECV BSVI compliant range. BSVI sales took time to take off given the initial reluctance to switch to new technology including the uncertainties about onroad operability and cost economics. Alas, FortPoint benefitted from the much-needed demand from the outgoing BSIV range. FortPoint was able to deliver on clearing the BSIV inventory at its dealership but not without support from the Federation of Automobile Dealerships Association (FADA). The latter is known to have come to the dealership’s rescue. Through FADA’s assistance, the dealership is known to have registered its BSIV inventory in the nick of time, seen as a big plus by VECV customers earning it their good will in return.

The silver lining For FortPoint, the burden of those 15 months initially was eased to an extent with its exposure to fleet owners operating for essential services. Turning front line warriors, team FortPoint left no stone unturned to fight back and offer assistance sought by its customers. “Yes, it is true that we did not shut down the service centres and workshops for these sets of customers who were on the frontline themselves. We worked to the best of our ability with the available manpower,” stated Pagare. When customers were unable to reach FortPoint, the dealership turned proactive. It deployed its service vans to offer

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Dealership corner

customers on-site and on-road assistance as need be. Even here, there were exceptions wherein the dealership was unable to reach select customers due to circumstances beyond control. “Like the migration of the workforce impacted us too. We devised a strategy to utilise local resources as a countermeasure to the extent possible to meet our customer requirements, sweating 100 per cent of the resources at hand,” he claimed. The VECV products like the Eicher Pro 3019 which is known to have helped VE Commercial Vehicles gain an 18 per cent market share in its respective segment proved to be another silver lining. Its traction, claimed Pagare, is attributed to the revised axle load norms which helped boost the per axle loading

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

capacity for the end operator helping generate demand. The dealership is also confident of the Eicher Pro 6035T doing well in the market courtesy of the pick up in infrastructural development particularly in the road construction sector. This, in addition to the Eicher Pro 6020 which continues to do well for the dealership. Historically, for FortPoint, the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment has also done well and is said to have remained relatively stable holding the delaership in good stead. With CNG drivelines, the dealership was also able to tap new customers. “PostSeptember 2020, we were able to consistently sustain business from both the sales and aftersales perspective. Here it is important to share that the bus segment didn’t fare well for

us with the school bus segment particularly impacted,” Pagare admitted. Other segments are known to have helped the dealership reverse the tide with a sequential recovery. The dealership received handholding from VECV who extended full support. Be it in terms of credit extension facilities to help FortPoint maintain its parts inventory or other support initiatives known to have helped the dealership maintain adequate liquidity for meeting its daily operational obligations. The OEM is known to have extended direct support to the dealership enabling the latter to sustain operations and maintain business continuity in volatile times. Order lifecycle Speaking on the changes to order lifecycle including order

Dealership corner

projections compared to the preCovid-19 days, Pagare opined that the process remains largely unchanged. “It is still the same process wherein we dealers give an order-specific, replenishment demand indent to the OEM by the tenth, each month,” he explained. For example, it could be an order of 10 vehicles of the six-tyre Eicher 3019 in the desired product configuration. This monthly projection from the dealership aids the OEM to ascertain their order pipeline, in turn. The subsequent order confirmations lead to the OEM manufacturing the vehicles. In the pandemic, FortPoint was able to offer to the customer a delivery lead time of 10-15 days from the point of order confirmation. This, explained Pagare, is the new trend compared to the booming days where vehicles were procured on a credit facility basis in advance. The new system is equally wellstreamlined now, he asserted. The customer, today, is known to be more invested in the technology on offer in this entire life cycle over the erstwhile practice of handing down the vehicle to the driver postpurchase. Averred Pagare that fleet owners are more invested in understanding the day-to-day operations and output from each vehicle in their respective fleet in a bid to be able to optimise business outcomes as a result of higher efficiencies.

The aftersales experience At FortPoit, the belief is that if the driver of the vehicle that rolls in is satisfied the fleet owner is satisfied with the dealership’s services. “The driver for us is the first touchpoint and we treat him as the end owner. It is our foremost priority to ensure the highest possible uptime for our set of customers,” expressed Pagare. For example, at the dealership, a display educates drivers on the fluid economics of their vehicles. Most customers from the BSIV generation are well accustomed to the utilisation of urea and the dealership is constantly striving to persuade the customer to opt for genuine products in a bid to extract the best from their fleet of vehicles. Through a recent initiative, the parts consumption of a fleet owner in a timespan of two to three years is auto-billed at the VECV dealership. This is claimed to have ensured that downtimes owing to the need for running parts replacement are minimal. The running parts in focus at the dealership include the sensors, fanbelts, and water pumps to name a few. These are replenished on an ongoing basis. The dealership is also well-equipped to handle engine failures or replacement of the gear and or differential. When it comes to the higher electronic content per vehicle, fault-finding has aided in removing all the guesswork. Technicians can solve issues remotely compared to having to travel a distance of 50 kms for just the first inspection. The driver community has been educated to upgrade themselves when handling such high-end vehicles. At the time of delivery, special care is taken to educate the customer on the ins and outs of the vehicle before it is pressed into service at the customer’s

end. In other initiatives, if a driver is changed by a fleet owner, FortPoint conducts a similar training and vehicle familiarisation process for the replacement, incoming driver who will pilot the sold vehicle. This initiative is known to reduce the fleet owner’s burden of risks associated with a driver change and threats about the untrained driver and his vehicle handling posing a risk to on road safety as well as vehicle wear and tear. Ready to reap the rewards FortPoint introduced efficiencies at every level. Particularly happy to be able to serve its customer fleets with essential services during the pandemic, the risk that FortPoint is said to have taken has paid off well. The customer is said to look back at that time and express gratitude. These are known to translate to repeat customers for the BSVI product series on offer at the dealership. Pagare listed initiatives like refining the spare parts offerings or addressing the shortage of mechanics in the ecosystem by upskilling new hires to ensure seamless operations. “We strive hard to ensure that the 30 vehicles that ply in daily are attended to and cleared with a 24-hour Turn Around Time (TAT),” he said. Countering challenges head-on, till August 2021 on a Year-To-Date (YTD) basis, the dealership sold an estimated 200 HCVs, and 600 LCVs apart from 60-70 buses as it marches towards realising the ambition of turning the top dealership! The dealership claimed to be ticking all the boxes and ensuring customer satisfaction is among the reasons’ for VECV topping the dealership satisfaction survey study by FADA among leading OEMs.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Transportation And Logistics

New Decade New Goals FM logistics released a new strategy for the next decade. Deepti Thore finds out how the company plans to go about SETTING AND ACHIEVING ITS goals.

M Logistic India, one of the key 3PL French companies, has rolled out a new strategy for the decade. Aiming to become a reference partner in the field of sustainable, omni channel supply chains, the international e-commerce company has laid out new goals for the new year to realise its ambitions over the new decade. Christened as ‘Powering 2030’, the new strategy was presented at a press conference held in Pune, led by Jean-Christophe Machet, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), FM Logistics. As per the new strategy, the company plans to double its revenue to Euro three billion from Euro 1.4 billion

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Jean-Christophe Machet, CEO, FM Logistics

Alexandre Amine Soufiani, MD, FM Logistic India

by 2030 and increase its EBIT margin by four percent. It also focuses on omni channel supply chain services, urban logistics, sustainability, distribution and customer experience. In addition to this, it also targets carbon neutrality for its own warehousing operations by

2030. Signifying the importance of the strategy to drive profitable growth. Machet expressed, “In a time of rapid change, our priority is to help our customers build sustainable omni channel supply chains. Therefore, our nine-year plan puts customer experience and

Transportation And Logistics

sustainability at the core of everything we do.” The company is known to have adopted five strategic pillars including omni-channel, urban logistics, sustainable development, transport and customer experience. It is eyeing expansion by connecting seven major cities in India by 2026 by partnering startups to set up charging points suitably in these cities. It plans to deploy a fleet of 500 Electric Vehicles (EVs) and set up EV charging stations across all urban logistics hubs and facilities. In other initiatives, to practice gender diversity and build an inclusive workforce by 2026, the company aims to increase specially abled manpower by five per cent and women workforce by 40 per cent overall. The company has ambitious plans of developing Grade A warehouses in major consumption areas to facilitate high operational and cost efficiencies. They plan to do so by adopting their own means and methods of ensuring and controlling quality standards for customers. It also plans to reinforce it’s offer of end-to-end supply chain services replete

with value added services, urban logistics and green last mile delivery. It also plans to adopt automation and best practises in its supply chain to further optimise it for its customers. FM logistics is also determined to develop a network of urban logistics hubs covering major Indian cities. Practising sustainability It has become imperative to tailor the supply chains as per the needs of each and every channel. With the growing need for sustainable omni channel services, FM logistics is looking at strengthening its omni channel fulfilment capacity by expanding its network of large MCFs, supported by investments in automation and connecting a full network of urban logistic hubs. The company has opened new MCFs in Mumbai and Farrukh nagar to introduce a degree of operational excellence and cost efficiency. To cater to the growing demands of customers in urban areas, the company is developing a network of technology-driven, sustainable and compliant urban logistic hubs designed to offer a full

range of sustainable omni channel services. These services include order fulfilment, last stage packaging customisations, digital marketplace, last stage readiness and cross docking. Green last mile delivery here is a crucial aspect. It is backed by plans to put in place an EV charge infrastructure. These in-city hubs are connected to FM Logistic’s large MCFs located outside city limits thus enabling the company to offer end-to-end supply chain that features surface transportation prominently.. FM Logistic will extend it to its warehousing infrastructure in tier2 and tier3 cities thereafter. FM Logistic’s sustainability strategy focuses on employee well being as well as the environment and eco-efficient services. The 3PL player has ramped up initiatives to include specially-abled collaborators in its operations. Through the FM Academy, collaborators are groomed in best practices followed in the supply chain industry. This grooming through regular training helps them to move up the corporate ladder within the organisation. The company has also launched

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Transportation And Logistics

the ‘Young Talent Acquisition’ program to recruit young professionals and is aiming for a LEED Certification for its Farrukhnagar MCF - a first-ofits-kind certification for a 3PL service provider in India. Solar panels for energy generation, rainwater harvesting, sewage treatment plant, fully insulated for energy efficiency, drivers’ relaxations quarters, crèche, training centres and medical room are now standard offerings across FM facilities. resilient IN crisis Despite facing unprecedented times during the pandemic, FM Logistics in India has proved its resilience by adding 10 lakh sq. ft. of warehousing space under its operations amounting to a 20 per cent growth in its warehousing footprint pan India. It recorded a growth of 58 per cent in turnover during the first half of FY2021-22. The company is also setting out to achieve an eight per cent annual growth in urban logistics between now and 2030. Although Covid-19 brought with it many challenges, it also gave rise to many opportunities like bringing acceleration to the omni channel and e-commerce business. Soufiani highlighted

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

that 60 per cent of contracts signed by FM Logistics are omni channel operations. Talking about building resilience, he cited the company’s endeavour to become the reference partner in the field of sustainable omni-channel supply chains in India. “We continue to carry out our expansion plans and reinforcing our offer of endto-end supply chain services,” he informed. The company is focussed on developing Grade A MCFs, dedicated warehouses near customers’ manufacturing centres, and modern urban logistic hubs - all interconnected with an agile and dense transportation and last mile delivery network, he asserted. New Developments At the conference, Alexandre Amine Soufiani, MD, FM Logistic India drew attention to performance of the company in the first half of fiscal year, it’s ambitions, five strategic pillars, progress and initiatives, and logistics real estate. FM Logistics in India has tripled in size today compared to when it entered India in 2016, growing in size by 20-25 per cent annually, he stated. Focussed on the domestic

contract logistics, the company has been managing over six million sq.ft of space in India, he added further. Acknowledging the fact that supply chains must transform to foster a more responsible consumption and sustainable economy, the 3PL company introduced its new tagline ‘Supply change’ keeping sustainable development at its core. It is catering to the rising demands for omni channel commerce, especially in urban centres, which is driving demand for out sourced logistics services. Already showing good signs of growth, the company is getting awarded with new contracts in the FMCG, retail, omni-channel, e-commerce and engineering sectors. FM Logistics India has bagged a contract to manage a dry grocery hub in Bengaluru apart from already handling it’s Gurugram hub. Handling end-to-end activities for a leading beverage manufacturer including customs clearance, secondary distribution and warehousing besides handling and packaging of fragile items, managing the in-store logistics operations for a leading international home furnisher, carrying warehousing operations for leading kids wear brand and managing end-to-end supply chain services for a leading food manufacturer are some of the other opportunities seized by the company. In addition to this, on the distribution front, the company has signed contracts with leading players in the FMCG and engineering sectors expected to hold it in good stead. Some would say, it is off to a good start en route ‘powering 2030’.

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game changer

Covestro CV Solutions

Covestro is rooting for the penetration of high-tech polymer materials in CVs. Prateek Pardeshi draws attention to the diverse applications of the company’s solutions.

olymers govern the automotive industry followed by various metals and alloys. Be it the bumper, headlights, mirrors on the exteriors, or the dashboard, instrument clusters in the interiors. Covestro India Pvt. Ltd, (Covestro India) is claimed to lead the space with its range of high-tech polymers. The company offers a wide range of polyurethane and polycarbonate-based raw materials for the CV industry among other industries. Divakar Gokhale, Head of Mobility,

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

the classic automotive industry develops further it will define the future needs of such material technologies for such special applications.” “Our experts in this product stream are always willing to get into a discussion with the industry players,” he stated.

Divakar Gokhale, Head of Mobility, Indian Subcontinent at Covestro India Pvt. Ltd. Indian Subcontinent at Covestro India Pvt. Ltd. in an exclusive conversation mentioned, “As

Interior applications Covestro India co-develops the solution with the OEMs or ODM depending on their wish list and concepts. They provide tailor-made solutions coming from its broad product portfolio

game changer

of Polycarbonate (PC) and PC blends, together with speciality films and coatings that allow for diverse applications. Every innovation comes with a huge R&D cost but needs to be offered at an affordable price, quipped Gokhale. He explained, how with the premium experience, multi- functionality, and efficiency improvement that the company brings to the table, the lowered costs are directly linked to the input materials. Covestro India is also linked across the value chain with some cutting-edge technology providers who can help bring many new ideas to life for its customers. Makrolon® PC and Makrofol® films are used in touch-panel technology, for example. The application necessitates high purity, clarity, dimensional

stability, scratch resistance, and a few other features. Such applications for CV interiors are easily possible with electronic integration. Digitalisation has taken over analogue systems for over a decade now. Infotainment systems are a testimony to this evolution. The erstwhile transistor units have made room for sophisticated aircraft like cockpits with dials and levers giving way to new alternatives. Notably, these displays are made of polycarbonate where Covestro AG excels. At the right price points, the opportunity to tap the CV segment is huge. On the Dashboard A dashboard, which hosts a couple of things like the Infotainment system, AC vents, cluster meter, are generally

made up of foam and PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC). OEMs and tier1 suppliers are turning innovative in their concepts and designs. They are offering a spectrum of features across the board to cater to different CV segments. “At Covestro India, we demonstrated innovation by utilising our unique Makroblend® product for backlight applications utilising natural materials such as leather, wood, and stone. The dashboard design has changed substantially as a result of the emobility and autonomous vehicle trends,” explained Gokhale. He drew attention to leading international OEMs incorporating long/large displays, and signalling change by futuristic shifts from old analogue metres to digital metres. Also, OEMs are now

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

game changer

replacing conventional ORVMs with screens and cameras. All of this has resulted in changes to the dashboard’s design and appearance, he opined. The next generation of CVs are beginning to draw parallels with passenger vehicles. Recent launches are testimony to softtouch buttons making inroads into the dash and onto the steering wheel. This comes as a shift from the erstwhile use of thermoplastic polyurethane. When tailored for injection Desmopan® Thermoplastic PolyUrethane (TPU) grades offer a fast development cycle, high mechanical values and advanced processing. Desmopan TPU has a very soft feel as well as good abrasion resistance according to Gokhale. No additional coating is required. Makrolofl® PC films are used for haptic touch applications. These can be backlit, opaque/translucent coloured, and have a matt or gloss finish, depending on the design. A coating process can also be used to achieve a soft touch. Exterior applications Indians are obsessed with a chrome finish which is synonymous with premium in this market. Especially on headl amps, brake lights, and weather trims etc. Covestro India offers special Bayblend® grades.

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

The BayblendT45PG for such chrome finish applications is deemed apt. Covestro has also developed a 2k/3k moulding with an In-Mould Decoration (IMD) for premium applications and some sensor-based functionality integration. Head lights and tail lights made of glass previously are also known to have shifted to polycarbonate. The latter is known to oxidise with wear and tear and further turns yellow. The Covestro Bayflex® for example is used to manufacture OEM applications (factory fitted) on passing the mandatory international safety standards. Only after the required test and qualifications, these are commercially rolled out. Aware of AMECA approvals for lighting applications and ARAI approval for India necessary for new CVs and associated systems, in India, Covestro is working on a host of products. A few decades ago, the automotive industry replaced metallic bumpers with ThermoPlastic Olefin elastomers (TPO). This was done keeping pedestrian safety in mind in the year 2017 since TPO is made up of softer materials. The Government of India banned any kind of metal crash guard or bull bar on vehicles and made fibre bumpers a mandate. Similarly, other automotive

ancillaries such as reinforced chassis etc. are other examples moving towards the use of alternative materials . Covestro has had a good second quarter (Q2FY2022). In the first nine months of 2021, APAC sales accounted for Euro 1700 mn in a growth of 61.3 per cent over the same period last year as per the company’s Q32021 statement. At an investor conference in 2021, the company hinted at planning an investment of Euro one billion on circular economy projects over a 10-year timeline. CVs are expected to contribute to the revenues significantly, concluded Gokhale. The new Group structure that is known to have come into effect since July 01, 2021, has reorganised the organisation with Polyurethanes, Polycarbonates, and Coatings, Adhesives specialities formed as new entities. The objective is to cater to specific customer needs and markets with an eye on both profitability and sustainability. Notably, the 15.4 per cent growth in PolyCarbonates, in Q2FY22 over the same period last year is attributed to the overall growth in the automotive and transportation industry signalling a sign of things to come from the global parent and its Indian arm.

Conference

The LNG Puzzle

Liquefied Nitrogen Gas is seen as an economical and environment friendly fossil fuel At the LNG India Summit. Sumesh Soman ascertainS the scope in long-distance transportation.

he present has never been as volatile as it is now and reducing carbon footprint happens to be at the centre of choices the automotive industry makes. Beyond automotive too, it is a pivot for industries globally. This was even more evident at the sixth LNG India Summit 2021, held in Delhi. The summit encompassed two vital points which were successful penetration and sustenance of this resource. As a choice for long-distance transportation, it is expected that LNG is feasible especially for Medium & HeavyDuty Commercial Vehicles (M&HCVs). An estimated one lakh buses and trucks are

projected to use Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) by 2024 as per the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas data. It is here that the LNG fuelling station is expected to be that missing piece in the LNG puzzle. Availability and affordability In a keynote address Snigdho Majumdar, Executive Director, Engineers India Ltd. expressed

Kashi Nath Jha, Joint Secretary Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers

Snigdho Majumdar, Executive Director, Engineers India Ltd.

that the future lies in disruptive technology. He drew attention to the practice of opting for alternative fuels like LNG as a primary fuel being one of the cleaner choices available. He was equally quick to cite its accessibility as the more pertinent challenge. To which, Kashi Nath Jha, Joint Secretary (Parliamentary Committee), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers added, “Transportation of gas is a challenge at this point in time. Being the secondlargest population behind China, every home in India runs on gas-based energy.” With LNG transportation opined to remain the biggest hurdle

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Conference

in LNG being mass adopted, the need of the hour, it was said, is to address the issue in a manner that its affordability as a fuel is not hurt. A cost hike would defeat the objective of a greater penetration. We are at a crossroads stated Majumdar where there is a need to restore the economy bruised by the after-effects of Covid-19 and at the same time, we need to reduce our carbon footprint on a priority basis if we were to avert the ill-effects of climate change. There is a trade-off between wanting to attain mass adoption to revive the economy while keeping a low carbon footprint. Harnessing natural gas is the only way, he exclaimed. The opinion came in the backdrop of India’s participation at the COP26 meet where India committed to net-zero emissions by 2070. The automotive mix is witnessing a surge in EVs with an estimated 8.7 lakh EVs registered in the country. This figure is expected to only grow manifold in the coming years. Besides LNG, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Hydrogen (H2) in the mix have confirmed a major transition. Kashi Nath Jha emphasised on a gas-based energy promising a better

future of all the alternatives in the drivetrain mix. “We have disturbed the ecosystem, and the ecosystem has disturbed us as well in return. Pollution, fog, and smog are all man-made problems, he quipped. At the summit, it was opined that traditional methods of energy have to be changed and new gas-based methods should be integrated with the overall mix. This new sector is filled with opportunities, opined Majumdar. He cited the scope for generating an estimated 1.2 million jobs with the plan of harnessing natural gas, building a robust system to reach the resource, and by delivering it to people. Emphasising the focus on accessibility, affordability and availability of LNG, he drew attention to India’s vast coastline putting the country at a vantage point. The need of the hour he said was to point out the roadblocks and eliminate them. Pipelines to procure resources are pivotal, he mentioned. He also highlighted the use of the coastline for gas imports and the opportunity to boost the self-consumption driven economy India is. En route to turning a gasbased economy, at the summit, in a unanimous consensus, it

Commercial Vehicle January 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in

was agreed upon banking on an interim solution to assist the nation’s current needs for clean energy resources. This is while the LNG infrastructure is being put in place. With greater penetration, the puzzle of LNG’s demand and supply is expected to be solved. Snigdho expressed that the think tank must look at ways of making available clean energy to even the lowest strata of the society. “The energy has to be affordable, an aspect of the subsidiary unit. The large appetite of this country for energy has to be met at affordable price points using renewable energy at the source of its generation.” Snigdho explained. “Bringing down the carbon footprint has a lot to do with generating electricity using natural gas over thermal energy and other high carbon-emitting forms like coal. Here the nation needs a significant intervention,” he exclaimed. LNG in transportation Ravinder Singh Minhas, Deputy Chief General Manager (Traffic and Public Relations), Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) cited the environment as a priority and called for the need to preserve and conserve it. Beyond power generation, he highlighted its deployment as a clean source of energy in transportation. Casein-point is Thiruvananthapuram known to run LNG buses intra-city since 2016. Calling it a good case study for other cities to build on, he deemed gas harnessing as the stepping stone towards increasing the reach and utilisation of LNG resources across the country. Satinder Pal Singh, CEO, Adani Total Pvt Ltd. reiterated the need to put an infrastructure capable of meeting the future LNG demand in transportation.

Ravinder Singh Minhas, Deputy Chief General Manager (Traffic and Public Relations), Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)

Ashish Agarwal, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Seros Logistics

K P Roy, Senior Consultant, Gaztransport and Technigaz SA, France

Nishita B. Malik, Counsel, Sumanto Basu and Associates Advocates

Anupam Mukhopadhyay, Chief Operating Officer, GAIL Gas Ltd

Mitesh Gupta, DGMMarketing and Commercial, H-Energy Group of Companies

Conference “There is a lot that needs to be done in terms of infrastructure for gas harnessing with only six per cent share for natural gas from the country.” Gujarat, here, cited Singh was an exception with an over 25 per cent share, higher than the national average. Singh advocated the need to enhance the nation’s re-gas capacity more so with the LNG import rates being lower owing to a non-feasible cost-benefit analysis. To address this, he called for the need to source LNG strategically. The role of incentives and taxation were said to be crucial and must be made uniform for a pan India acceptance. Transportation is a big piece of the LNG puzzle. Here, efficient and frugal transportation will be instrumental in the nation attaining pure price discrimination in an ideal scenario. Ashish Agarwal, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Seros Logistics said, “Lack of pipeline has skewed the supply and thus the demand has also fallen. We can create a virtual pipeline with a series of cryogenic tanks and connect the supply to the demand.” He cited the pipelines on the west coast and east coast to drive home his point and called for a similar

infrastructure upgrade in other regions to fill the void. K P Roy, Senior Consultant, Gaztransport and Technigaz SA, France supported the viewpoint and called for the need to scale up LNG terminals. The project costs are far cheaper than what they used to be, which means the present conditions favour the initiation of the LNG sector and players are welcome to harness this new sector filled with opportunities,” he explained. Roy cited capital efficiency by drawing attention to project costs nosediving from USD 2000 per tonne to five dollars per tonne. The cost of setting up a plant is cheaper today, he claimed. The role of government intervention to create a level playing field and harnessing the ease of doing business was highlighted by Roy. He urged the Centre to provide all the necessary assistance to private players pushing for a robust LNG ecosystem. Nishita B. Malik, Counsel, Sumanto Basu and Associates Advocates termed the LNG pricing model as volatile. “The movement is slow with a need for downward flexibility. The ability to reduce the price of contracts without

restrictions is critical,” she stated. The event also witnessed the extension to LNG as a choice of fuel in transportation by ancillaries like Platts, JM Baxi and Co, Sandvik Materials Technology and other firms underlining their role in the LNG ecosystem. From cryogenic engineering, logistics, to analytics. Anupam Mukhopadhyay, Chief Operating Officer, GAIL Gas Ltd helped paint a picture of the ecosystem. “ Initially players will set up their LNG supply. Big players will have pipeline connectivity giving them an edge over smaller players having to rely on alternatives like tanks.” And to that Mitesh Gupta, DGMMarketing and Commercial, H-Energy Group of Companies added, “The infrastructure is in place, peso approved trucks are there. There is reliability, however, it will need some more time to get to where we want.”

Manoj Tandon, AVP and Head of Marketing at Adani Bunkering Pvt. Ltd.

Deepesh Nanda, CEO, GE Gas Power, South Asia

Abhishek Kumar, Senior Consultant, Energy Transitions and Clean Tech Consulting, IHSMarkit

LNG across the globe LNG, globally, is slowly catching up with conventional fuels. “There’s a need to integrate LNG into the system while the demand and supply grow in parallel,’’ explained Gupta. Manoj Tandon, AVP and Head of Marketing at Adani Bunkering Pvt. Ltd. cited a Japanese case study of the country’s LNG penetration and deemed a gradual shift. Abhishek Kumar, Senior Consultant, Energy Transitions and Clean Tech Consulting, IHS-Markit concluded, “The shift of LNG from developed markets to developing markets will play the role of a catalyst in this intended transition. Implementation will be the key here! Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

Around the Globe

The Hybrid Auga M1 AUGA Group M1 hybrid tractor is testimony to the automotive industry rapidly transitioning to a carbon-neutral future. Prateek Pardeshi explains the technology in principle. it,”exclaimed Kęstutis Juščius, Chief Executive Officer, AUGA Group. “That is why we have taken the lead in developing technologies that will allow us to create a new standard for sustainable agriculture and drastically reduce pollution throughout the food value chain. The first result of this work is a biomethane and electric tractor,” he stated. The carbon footprint of farming equipment was increasing dramatically, owing primarily to the use of chemicals for soil fertilisation, digestive processing of cattle, and, most notably, the use of fossil fuels for farming. To resolve this concern, Auga is claimed to have developed a biomethane extract-based solution which feeds on agricultural waste right at the source.

he AUGA Group, regarded as Europe’s largest vertically integrated organic food producer, has set a new benchmark in farm mechanisation. The company last year developed and introduced the world’s first hybrid biomethane and electric tractor for professional farm use. The hybrid AUGA M1 as the first step in line with the company’s strategy to offer green farming solutions is the food supply chain looks promising. The company is determined to eliminate the cost to nature as a result of farming activities from the field to the table. According to scientists, agricultural activity is responsible for nearly a quarter

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Kęstutis Juščius, CEO of AUGA group of all greenhouse gas pollution in the world. The use of fossil fuels in agricultural machinery accounts for a significant portion of the emissions. “Three years ago, when we first calculated our emissions, we saw that as much as 30 per cent of it is attributed to the use of fossil fuels in farms. There were simply no solutions to change

The Patent The need for storage is a significant disadvantage of using methane as a fuel. To address this concern, Auga was able to design M1 with a fresh approach to building the storage tanks. The tanks are claimed to have been intelligently placed near the tractor’s undercarriage. The tractor’s patented design enables it to accommodate larger biomethane gas cylinders. Furthermore, to overcome the lack of infrastructure requiring farmers to refuel these cylinders with

Around the Globe biomethane CNG, cited as a major cost disadvantage, the company devised a solution akin to the battery swaps in case of EVs. AUGA can run for up to 12 hours on a single cartridge. It is enormous in size, measuring six metre long and four metres wide. It can also pull a seven-meter long cultivator. With a top speed of 12 kmph, the Auga M1 is claimed to be a strong contender compared to a standard 400 hp tractor. Auga has developed a replaceable fuel cartridge that can be installed in a matter of minutes. This is said to allow the tractor to complete a duty cycle for an extended period of time. Now that the fuel supply has been defined, it is time to convert this power and transfer it to the road wheels. The company has created a new hybrid gas electric technology wherein an internal combustion engine powered by bio-methane generates energy and transfers it directly to electric motors. The wheels are directly mounted on the shafts of the motors, and an additional reserve energy is stored in batteries. As a result, such a system does not waste energy at low loads and employs a relatively small and efficient engine capable of meeting the operator’s needs, The power-to-weight ratio on the Auga M1 is claimed to be a marked improvement over its conventional predecessors. Linear growth The AUGA group’s hybrid AUGA M1 tractor for professional farm use was recently named innovation of the year in the green innovation category among enterprises at the

international Rimi Baltic Sustainability Awards. The organisers of the award received 323 applications in various categories. An international panel of experts from 12 countries evaluated sustainable solutions from businesses and non-governmental organisations. “The entire AUGA group team is delighted that the AUGA M1 tractor has gained international recognition. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, it is becoming an essential part of the strategy and day-to-day operations of enterprises and NGOs,” mentioned Juščius, CEO of AUGA group “We are

all affected by climate change, especially in agriculture. We are developing technologies that will allow us to produce food with no cost to nature and deliver it to consumers,” he claims. Giving a sneak preview into the future, Juščius shared insights on technological developments in the realm of zero emission farm mechanisation and related solutions. In November 2021, the company signed a contract manufacturing agreement for tractors with Rokiškio Mašinų gamykla, specialising in the production of agricultural machinery. In 2022, the AUGA group intends to begin mass tractor production. This innovation will first reach the company’s farms at first before opening up to other farmers. The hybrid Auga M1, for now, seems a stepping stone in the right direction for the company.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | January 2022

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