COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INDIA NOVEMBER 2020 by Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd

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Volume 15 Issue 2 â&#x20AC;˘ November 2020

New Ashok Leyland Boss

Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI Reviewed

Practising self-reliance /commercialvehicle

@CVmagazine

Portable Medical Unit by Sub Zero n Bus electrification /cvmagazineindia

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STAYIN’ ALIVE

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A TATA INTR V30

ASHOK LEYLA

‘BADA DOST’

BHARATBENZ GROWTH STORY

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STRAIGHT DRIVE

“Regulations ought not to resemble ‘the Sword of Damocles hanging over the head’.”

Vs may not get their documents mandatory for operation renewed unless they have high security registration plates on them. Yet another regulatory move? And, at a time when the road transport industry is facing near insurmountable challenges in the form of a steep rise in fuel prices, insurance costs, consumable costs (like tyres, lubes, etc.), compliance costs (GST, taxes, toll taxes, etc.), and a clear lack of demand due to a drastic economic slowdown. Referred to as a reflection of a nation’s economy, its request to handhold it until it finds it footing in a post Covid-induced lockdown environment is yet to meet with a response. Amid such a situation (CV sales are experiencing a prolonged slowdown), regulations ought not to resemble ‘the Sword of Damocles hanging over the head’. At least until stability is back and the economic environment is better. Against the lockdown backdrop, the construction equipment industry, suffering significant disruption, found it difficult to meet the new emission norms scheduled for October 2020. These norms have now been deferred by another six months. Bhushan Mhapralkar b.mhapralkar@nextgenpublishing.net

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commercialvehicle

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what's inside Cover story 20

Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI The Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI is a curious mix of ‘history in motion’ and still very relevant and empowered.

05 Straight Drive Bhushan Mhapralkar 08 Letters 10 CV News Schaeffler India experiences traction; launches auto lubes n BSVI Isuzu D-Max n M&M Corona insurance for pick-ups n Piaggio launches Ape’ E- City n BEST bus operations n CE industry looks at NIP n MSRTC smart card? n HSRPs mandatory for CVs? n Etrio’s Touro n Open-top double-decker buses n

n n n n

Electric batteries for autos? Women power at Volvo Tata Motors’ ‘Grahak Samvaad 2020’ BSVI Mahindra Alfa

We welcome feedback, bouquets and brickbats on how this magazine is shaping up. Write to us at cvonline@nextgenpublishing.net or visit us on www.commercialvehicle.in

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

R YOUICE VO

November 2020 JK Tyre ‘Truck wheels centre’ Cummins India sees business improvement n APSCSCL orders 6413 Tata Ace Gold n Kinetic one-tonne e-three wheeler n Taxes on petrol, diesel to rise? n BMTC e-bus trial begins? n n

M&M turns to railways Green shoots? Autorickshaw operators and fines JK Tyre partners with ‘Choupal Saagars’

60th SIAM Annual Convention The 60th SIAM Annual Convention against the backdrop of Covid made for some very interesting insights

n n n

42 Bus electrification Post Covid-19, a significant change in bus electrification is expected. 52 GAZ Valdai Gaz will soon introduce the new Valdai truck in the Russian market. 54 Optare delivers Metrodecker EVs Optare PLC has delivered the first of 21 battery-electric Metrodecker EV double-deckers to First York. 58 Affair in O303 Padane

New Ashok Leyland Boss

Portable Medical Unit by Sub Zero

Ashok Leyland has introduced BSVI compliant Boss LE and LX ICVs with a host of changes.

Sub Zero has introduced an emergency mobile medical unit on a CV.

Practising self-reliance

Tier-one CV industry supplier, Jamna Auto Industries Ltd. has been practising selfreliance through 100 per cent localisation.

DICV Digital Bulletin App.

Daimler India Commercial Vehicle (DICV) has introduced ‘DICV Bulletin’ app.

To Subscribe turn to page

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

Letters Commercial Vehicle Magazine

‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

he story, ‘Stayin’ Alive’ highlighted some very valid points and how the uptick in the rural economy and initiatives like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ could lead to the growth of the CV industry. These initiatives look good for the development of the manufacturing sector as a whole, but may not be enough. The talk of ease of business and attracting global investments will have to be matched with fine-tuned policies that truly support the development of the manufacturing sector and various other sectors. If the key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing pick-up, transportation and logistics will pick-up speed too. In the absence of any support to MSME at the ground level despite all the talk is not helping the cause. They need to get relief from the higher compliance costs, taxes and harsh policies. They need to be assured enough to seek growth, be free of undue interference from various agencies and actors. Only then, would ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ see a rise in the true sense. Only then, could we add a dimension to the word, ‘Stayin’ Alive’. Parikshith Kamat, Pune

105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India. Tel +91 22 43525252 Email us at cv@nextgenpublishing.net Editor Test Editor Web Editor Correspondent Head-Design & Production Art Director Asst. Art Director Image Desk Production Supervisor Publisher Mentor & Special Advisor General Manager North & East

Bhushan Mhapralkar Aspi Bhathena Ashish Bhatia Deepti Thore, Deven Lad Ravi Parmar Mangesh Sawant Ajit Manjrekar Dipak Gaykar Dinesh Bhajnik Marzban Jasoomani Hoshang S. Billimoria Ellora Dasgupta

General Manager South

Girish Shet

Deputy General Manager

Chanchal Arora

North Regional Marketing Manager Salma Jabbar (Chennai) Marketing Manager

Minocher Parakh (Mumbai)

Manager Circulation - North and East Kapil Kaushik Subscription Supervisor Sachin Kelkar Tel +91 22 43525220 Apple Newsstand & Magzter Queries help@magzter.com Zinio Subscriptions Queries http://in.zinio.com/help/index.jsp Territory Sales Incharge (SIP) Mr. Srinivas Gangula (Hyderabad) Cell +91 09000555756

Reddy Customs Ambulances

he story of Reddy Customs foraying into ambulances provided an interesting insight into a unique stream of CVs that cater to the healthcare industry. The Covid situation has in fact brought to fore the good and bad points of the ways of working of the healthcare industry and its allied services like the ambulance service, etc. If the lack of ambulances was apparent during the Corona period, the lack of equipment in ambulances available was also reported by many media outlets. The necessary standards or codes for ambulances have been set in place by the Government. However, what is necessary to carry out is periodic audits to ensure that these standards are followed by the ambulance operators. Companies like Reddy Customs may build ambulances up to the standard, but what about their upkeep. Aren’t they like instruments in engineering workshops that need to maintain calibration through routine services and checks? Also, apparent was the tendency by ambulance operators to flee hapless customers. A standard and governing mechanism is necessary to check this too. Charging upwards of Rs.3000 to go the distance of less than half a km is not ethical by any means. Ambulance operators are known to openly resort to such practices. Sangita Upadhyaya, Bangalore

Territory Sales Incharge (Circulation) Vidyasagar Gupta (Kolkata) Mob: 09804085683 Regional marketing offices Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd. 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India Tel +91 22 43525252 26 B, First Floor, Okhla Industrial Estate, Okhla Phase III, New Delhi - 110020, India Tel +91 11 42346600/78 Fax +91 11 42346679 Unit No:509, 5th Floor, ‘B’ wing, Mittal Towers, MG Road, Bengaluru -560001, India Tel +91 080 66110116/17 Fax +91 80 41472574 Cenetoph Elite, No.5, Cenetoph 1st street, Teynampet, Chennai - 600018, India Tel +91 044 421-08-421/044 421-75-421 Devendra Mehta - Mob No.- 09714913234 Ahmedabad S.No.261/G.L.R.No.5, East Street,Camp Pune - 411001. Tel + 91 20 26830465 iews and opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of Next V Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd. Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd. does not take responsibility for returning unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other material. All material published in COMMERCIAL VEHICLE is copyright and no part of the magazine may be reproduced in part or full without the express prior written permission of the publisher Printed by Marzban Jasoomani Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013. Published by Marzban Jasoomani on behalf of Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, Printed at Kala Jyothi Process Pvt. Ltd, 1-1-60/5 RTCX Roads, Hyderabad - 20. Published at Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013. All readers are recommended to make their own independent enquiries before sending money, incurring expenses or entering into commitments in relation to any advertisement appearing in the publication. Commercial Vehicle does not vouch for any claims made by advertisers for their products and services. The editor, publisher, printer and employees of the publication shall not be held liable for any consequence in the events of such claims not being honoured by the advertisers. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Mumbai only. Editor Bhushan Mhapralkar

Pen down your views and queries to Commercial Vehicle, Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd, 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, INDIA. or Login to: www.commercialvehicle.in or Email us on: cv@nextgenpublishing.net

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

News Schaeffler BSVI Isuzu D-Max India I experiences traction; launches auto lubes A

nnouncing a total revenue from operations (net) for the third quarter at Rs.11,207 million, up 155.3 per cent than the preceding quarter and 8.3 per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2019, Schaeffler India, according to Harsha Kadam, Managing Director of the company, is witnessing recovery greens shoots across various sectors as the economy starts crawling back to normalcy. He mentioned that his company is responding to a good demand from segments like tractors. Announcing that revenue from operations (Net) for the quarter grew by 20.7 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2020, the company’s aftermarket division recently launched a range of automotive lubes, including engine oil, hydraulic oil, coolants and grease, under the TruPower brand name. These have applications for all vehicle segments.

suzu Motors India has introduced BSVI version of its D-Max Regular Cab and D-Max S-Cab in India. Both the vehicles find commercial vehicle application in the pick-up truck category and offer a payload capacity of 1710 kg (Regular Cab). Available with a flat deck too, the D-Max range of pick-up trucks, powered by a 2.5-litre diesel engine, are available in a Regular Cab-Chassis, S-Cab Standard-Ride and S-Cab High-Ride variants. In the BSVI avatar they get styling changes. Priced at Rs. 8,38,929 ex-showroom Mumbai (D-Max Super), the BSVI D-Max range come with a ‘Variable Geometric Turbocharger’ and LNT (Lean NOx Trap), DPD (Diesel Particulate Diffuser) and P-SCR (Passive Selective Catalyst Reduction) after-treatment system. Fitted with an electronically controlled

EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system, the trucks get a MID (MultiInformation Display) cluster with GSI (Gear Shift Indicator). Tested and validated for over 40 lakh kms, the BSVI D-Max range comes with Brake Override System(BOS) which cuts power to the engine in case of panic braking.

M&M Corona insurance for pick-ups M

ahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) has announced a Corona insurance plan for its pick-up truck customers. The scheme is part of the auto major’s mega festive offer, and involves an insurance cover of Rupees-one lakh, valid from October 01 to November 30. Valid for a period of 9.5 months from the date of purchase, the insurance plan covers the customer, his or her spouse and up to two of the customer’s children. It is applicable on the Bolero Pickup range, and includes the Bolero Pick-up,

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Bolero Maxi Truck, Bolero City Pickup and Bolero Camper. The plan could be used in case of hospitalisation or home quarantine by the driver and his or her family members who test positive for Covid-19.

news

Piaggio launches Apeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; E- City

CE industry looks at NIP

iaggio Vehicles (India) has launched Ape E-City, a new electric passenger threewheeler in Kerala. The vehicle is powered by an advanced Lithiumion battery pack that is swappable. Offering a zero tailpipe emission last-mile mobility solution for urban areas, the Ape E-City is equipped with an automatic gearbox. Its body is equipped with safety doors. Flaunting a fully digital instrument cluster that provides information like state of charge, drive modes, service alerts, etc., the e-three wheeler is priced at Rs.1,98,926 ex-showroom. It is supported by three years free scheduled maintenance and 36 months warranty. Promising more earnings per ride, the vehicle is equipped with an app-enabled system to check the battery state of charge, locate swap stations, and recharge batteries instantly with no waiting time.

Image for representative purpose only.

BEST bus operations

he Maharashtra Government has permitted the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) to operate its city buses at full capacity, claim sources. The permission, mention sources, however comes with certain conditions that the commuters and staff on board the buses wear masks. Conditions include sanitisers too, for commuters, drivers, helpers and other authorities. As per the state order, source inform, the buses would have to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols and safety precautions laid down to control the spread of the virus. Besides, running the buses at full capacity, BEST is also said to be working on increasing the number of buses in peak hours along certain routes. By March 2022, the organisation is claimed to be looking at adding 2,500 new buses to its fleet.

Image for representative purpose only.

he Construction Equipment (CE) industry is said to be looking at the Rs. 111 trillion National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) to revisit growth. Designed and developed to monitor infrastructure projects with a digital interface to boast of, the NIP is claimed to have the ability to push as well as ensure transparency in projects. Mention sources that the NIP is made important by road projects being awarded in the period between April 2020 and September 2020, promising 140 per cent growth. With twenty-three expressways announced (with target completion dates between March 2023 and March 2025), the CE industry, sources claim, is hopeful of the NIP helping them revisit growth post a severe lockdown-induced disruption. Inform sources that the NIP is expected to address issues like land acquisition and financing to ensure timely completion of projects. Affected because of its high reliance on NBFCs, the CE industry is facing the challenge of BS(CEV)-IV emission norms that are scheduled to come into effect from October 01, 2020. Disruptions, break down in supply chain, and near shutdown of production due to Covid-19 has badly affected its performance in recent times. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

News

MSRTC smart card? T

Etrio’s Touro

Image for representative purpose only.

HSRPs mandatory for CVs?

n-line with the order issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the Delhi transport department has issued a notice mandating all vehicles sold before April 01, 2019, to be affixed with High-Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) and colour-coded stickers. The State of Uttar Pradesh has stopped the retrieval or renewal of vehicle-related documents for commercial vehicles plying without HSRP, claim sources. They mention that all RTOS in the state have been instructed not to execute processes such as new permit, permit renewal, fitness certificate renewal, change of address, transfer of ownership, renewal of RC, etc. for CVs without HSRPs. HSRPs are embedded with a chip which provides ownership details along with data about the vehicle’s engine and chassis number in the government’s central database.

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Image for representative purpose only.

he Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is in the process of launching a smart card on the occasion of Diwali as per the Central Government’s Digital India initiative, claim sources. They mention that the smart card will enable MSRTC bus passengers to travel cashless and avail a travel discount. To make the smart card available, sources inform, MSRTC has associated with private company agents instead of bus stations. The over the counter smart card will also include a travel wallet and a shopping wallet. To get the card or recharge it, one has to register the name and mobile number with the private agent as per the order issued by the corporation.

yderabad-based eTrio Technologies has introduced an electric cargo three-wheeler range called the ‘Touro’. Available in variants Max and Mini, the new range is designed for intra-city logistics -- last-mile especially, and conceptualised such that it is supported by measures like preventative maintenance support to ensure maximum uptime. With a production capacity of 500 units per month, the company is looking at increasing the deployment of its e-cargo three wheeler range through a mix of outright sales and leasing models. Currently being subjected to pilot runs at e-commerce logistics companies in Hyderabad, Delhi and Bengaluru, the company is confident that its e-cargo three wheeler range will fulfil the requirements of B2B customers like Amazon, BigBasket and Ikea among others. Capable of being customised as per the battery chemistry, payload required, capacity and number of desired kilometres to be run daily, the e-cargo three-wheeler range developed by the company is efficient and reliable.

News

Open-top double-decker buses T

Image source: curlytales.com

he chief minister of Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, flagged off open-top double-decker buses in Kolkata recently. These buses have been built to promote tourism on the eve of the Durga pooja, and would tour the heritage and landmark places, highlighting the culture and tradition of the city. Modelled on the same lines as London’s iconic red double-decker buses, these buses have been built to look stunning in an attractive blue colour. They have been equipped with modern features like automatic doors, CCTV cameras, panic buttons and destination boards. Capable of seating 51 people each, with 16 seats on the upper deck, the buses would operate from 10.30 am till 1.30 pm, and from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, during the festival. The operator body would, according to sources, at a later stage, revise the operational timings as per the demand and user suggestions.

Women power at Volvo

n the wake of lowering air pollution, the Andhra Pradesh Government is in discussion to replace existing internal combustion (IC) engines in auto-rickshaws with electric batteries, claim sources. They mention that the move is designed to encourage auto-rickshaw operators to switch to zero emission technology. As part of the move, the Government, sources mention, is planning to set up battery swapping stations and a number of charging stations. It plans to ensure the necessary viability through battery swapping technology and a charging infrastructure. It also plans to make electric retrofitment kits available. The initiative is said to be the first-of-itskind in India. Its success could get other cities to replicate it, bringing down pollution levels.

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Image for representative purpose only.

Electric batteries for autos?

he Volvo Group in India has been recognised among the ‘Top 100 Best Companies for Women in India’. It has been bestowed with the award of ‘Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI Award)’ by Working Mother & Avtar for providing growth opportunities for women to become leaders of tomorrow. Recognised for the award on the basis of a survey, the company has demonstrated practices and policies which attract, engage, retain and develop women professionals. Working Mother and Avtar ranked organisations on the basis of various parameters including women’s recruitment, retention, and advancement initiatives, and safety and security measures for women employees. It also looked at factors like flexible work arrangements and support extended for maternity and life-changing events, benefits provided to help enable and advance women’s careers, and policies around work-life integration.

news

Tata Motors’ ‘Grahak Samvaad 2020’

BSVI Mahindra Alfa

o convey to its customers the various initiatives it has taken in 2020, Tata Motors has launched ‘Grahak Samvaad 2020’. To be run from October 23 to October 31, 2020, the programme would reach out to customers, educate them about uptime guarantee with its AMC packages and TAT guarantee (turnaround time) along with the latest launch of upgraded BSVI range of commercial vehicles. Through this

programme, the company plans to seek customer feedback, which would help to improve its products and solutions. To enhance customer experience of its CVs, Tata Motors is also said to be planning a ‘Grahak Seva Mahotsav’ from November 01 to November 30, 2020. As a part of this initiative, the CV major would host nationwide service check-up campaigns across its 1500 dealers locations and authorised service stations.

JK Tyre ‘Truck wheels centre’ J

K Tyre & Industries Ltd. has inaugurated a ‘Truck Wheels Centre’ at Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. Adding to the rising number of such centres by the tyre major, the centre would offer a rich retail experience to CV tyre buyers in the region. Inaugurated by Sanjeev Sharma, General Manager, Fleet Management (Truck Bus Radial), JK Tyre & Industries, the new centre has been thus designed to offer a one-stop solution. Marking the 52nd centre in the country, it is spread across over 10,000 sq. ft., and equipped with modern wheel

servicing equipment, full range of tyres, an experience zone and has expert technical advisors. Strategically located, the centre, providing end-toend solutions for truck and bus tyre customers, will adhere to all safety protocols and offer contactless services through facilities like digital payments.

ahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M) has introduced the BSVI avatar of its Alfa three wheeler. It now offers 37 per cent higher displacement, 16 per cent higher power and 12 per cent more torque. Available in passenger and cargo variants, the three-wheeler is powered by a 9.4 hp 600 cc water-cooled diesel engine. It is claimed to offer a mileage of 28.9 km per litre and has a payload capacity of roughly 500 kgs. In other news, the Mahindra Treo electric three wheeler has sold 5000 units till date. The lithium-ion battery pack equipped e-three wheeler has found buyers across 400 districts in the country. It has travelled a distance of over 35 million kms, saving 1,925 metric tonnes of CO2 tailpipe emissions, which is equal to planting 87,500 trees to absorb the same emissions. Producing maximum power of eight-kW, the e-three wheeler is said to offer the longest wheelbase and most spacious cabin. Backed by a three-year standard warranty, it has a 12.7 degree gradability.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

News Cummins India sees business Kinetic improvement one-tonne e-three F wheeler ollowing a steep drop in demand and disruption of supply chain in the first quarter of the current fiscal year marked by nationwide lockdown, Cummins is seeing the business environment improving. It is seeing significant improvement in economic activities in the second quarter. Announcing sales for the quarter at Rs.1,141 crore, down 11 per cent as compared to Rs.1,285 crore recorded in the same quarter last year, the company, navigating through the unprecedented times with priority on the safety and well being of its employees, is committed to serving its customers and staying on course with product development initiatives. Prudently managing cost and conserving cash, the company is working closely with supply chain partners to restore operational productivity. Expressed Ashwath Ram, Managing Director, Cummins India, that they expect gradual recovery of demand in upcoming quarters. He mentioned that their domestic business has recovered to 80 per cent of last year levels, led by faster recovery in distribution, and construction and mining segments. In other news, Cummins has successfully completed the Bharat Stage IV (CEV) emission standard certification tests for its state of the art 4.5-litre engine system at ICAT. Doing so much ahead of the new emission norms implementation deadline on April 01, 2021 (extended by six months for wheeled equipment), the engine system, aimed at off-highway equipment, could be easily scaled up to BSV emission norms and beyond.

APSCSCL orders 6413 Tata Ace Gold

he Andhra Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation (APSCSCL) has placed an order for 6413 Tata Ace Gold vehicles with Tata Motors. The CV major would supply fully-built Tata Ace Gold vehicles to the government body after winning the e-tender through an e-bidding process on the Government e-Marketplace. The supplied vehicles would be used as mobile dispensing

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

units for doorstep delivery of supplies in the state of Andhra Pradesh, and customised by Tata Motors to suit the purpose. BSVI compliant, the Tata Ace Gold, available in diesel, petrol and CNG options, have come to spring numerous variants to address not just the last mile delivery application needs, but also various municipality and government application needs.

inetic Green Energy and Power Solutions Limited has launched a one-tonne GVW electric-three wheeler called Safar Jumbo. It is designed ground up at Kineticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s EV R&D lab and boasts of 100 per cent indigenous parts. Aimed at the urban last mile delivery segment, the vehicle, positioned under the L5 category with a payload capacity of 500 kgs, comes with a specially developed cargo box. The cargo box offers close to 150 sq. ft. cubic capacity. Emissions and noise free, the vehicle offers a running cost of 50 paise per km. Its top speed is 55 kmph, and gradeability is 10 degrees. The steel chassis is CED coated. Featuring a digital instrument cluster, dynamic SOC, CAN-based controller with interactive Kinetic Konnect APP and GPS, the vehicle is equipped with independent rear suspension, hydraulic brakes and a unique gearbox arrangement. It runs 120 km on a single charge, and is available with a swappable battery system. Supported by a three-year warranty, the vehicle is backed by 175 dealers across the country.

news

Taxes on petrol, diesel to rise?

etrol and diesel prices are set to rise further, claim sources, on the basis of a revenue push by the Government to tackle the economic slowdown. They mention that an increase of Rupees-three to Rupees-six increase in excise duty on petrol and diesel is likely to take effect soon. The higher excise duty amount will be used to drive economic recovery as well as fight

Covid-19 related disruptions, inform sources. They add that the tax increase could provide the government an additional revenue to the tune of Rs. 60,000 for the full year. An internal examination to look at duty structure on the two products is on. The examination also pertains to the possible effect of the price rise on increase in retail prices. According to the sources, the government,

in March 2020, took parliamentary approval to raise special additional excise duty on petrol to Rs.18 per litre and on diesel to Rs.12 per litre. It raised special additional excise to Rs.12 on

petrol and to Rupees-nine on diesel in May 2020. This has left the government with a space to increase the excise duty on petrol by Rupeessix per litre, and on diesel by Rupees-three per litre.

M&M turns to railways Image source: railpost.in

BMTC e-bus trial begins?

Image for representative purpose only.

M T

he Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has begun trial run of its 12 m Olectra electric bus, claim sources. They mention that the bus, capable of seating 34 people, has begun plying on eight routes within the city. The trail run, in view of leasing 90 buses, will enable BMTC to understand compatibility, inform sources. With the trail run successful by the end of this year, Olectra, it is claimed, will

supply 300 electric buses under Fame-II. These buses are said to have a range of between 200 and 250 kms on a single charge. With fast charging, it takes about three hours to charge, mention sources. Modern in their build, the e-bus has the provision to support a wheelchair for speciallyabled and senior citizens. It is also equipped with an USB charger, emergency alarm, stop buttons, first-aid kit and emergency exits.

ahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has turned to Indian Railways to ship 87 Mahindra Bolero pick-up trucks and 101 tractors to Benapole in Bangladesh. It is the first time that the company has done so. Loading the pick-up trucks at the Navi Mumbai railway yard, the train carrying them will cover a distance of 2,100 km to Benapole. Similarly, tractors will be loaded on the train at the rail yard at Ajni, Nagpur, after being built at the Hingna Plant. The move by M&M comes after Maruti Suzuki announced some time ago that it is taking to railways to ship the vehicles that it produces. Indian Railways, to boost auto exports, has built special wagons. Attention has been paid to ensure safety, speed and competitive logistics costs. In other news, M&Mâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Service on Wheelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; initiative has completed one year of operations. It comprises 450 vehicles, two wheelers and vans, that provide doorstep service (including sanitisation) to its customers at attractive rates. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

News

Green shoots? ost a sharp dip in sales due to a chain of events, including excess capacity due to new axle norms, economic slowdown, lockdown and the implementation of BSVI emission norms, the CV industry, claim sources, has begun witnessing green shoots. They draw attention to an announcement by Tata Motors recently that stated the witnessing of green shoots in the CV space, driven by factors like enhanced fleet utilisation, resumption of vehicle finance by banks, firming up of freight rates and new infrastructure contracts. Inform sources that since September, except for the bus segment, the demand for small, intermediate, light, medium as well heavy segments has started picking up. The fall of 90 per cent Tata Motors experienced in June quarter, they mention, has reduced to 40 per cent in September 2020. Ashok Leyland, sources say, has witnessed a two-per cent rise in volumes in the medium and heavy truck segment and a 20 per cent rise in light commercial

Image for representative purpose only.

vehicle segment in September 2020. Mahindra, at the other end, is known to

have reported 0.18 per cent growth in volumes in September 2020.

Autorickshaw JK Tyre partners operators and fines with ‘Choupal P Saagars’ ost the amendment of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 and the increase in penalty, it is the auto rickshaw operators that are finding themselves at the receiving end. With fines ranging between Rs.1,000 and Rs.10,000, it is the autorickshaw operators (drivers especially) that are the most miffed, claim sources. They draw attention to the protests staged by autorickshaw operators in Visakhapatnam recently against higher fines for traffic rule violations. The state government recently amended the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 and increased the penalty amounts in the range of Rs.1,000 and Rs.10,000. Inform sources that the hefty fines are driving them out of the business post getting badly affected by the lockdown and the ensuing Covid-19 environment where people are reluctant to travel in an autorickshaw or such means of public transport.

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

K Tyre & Industries Ltd. has collaborated with ITC’s e-Choupal to leverage its presence in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra & Uttar Pradesh. By doing so the tyre major is keen to expand its presence in the rural market and engage with rural communities. To engage across the three states in a phased manner with its integrated rural services hubs, JK Tyre is also keen to increase its brand visibility. As part of the ‘Choupal Saagars’ initiative, the tyre major is looking at an engagement with rural market and communities through ITC e-choupal; through target group discussion; through influencers, and through customer meets.

New launch

New Ashok Leyland Boss Ashok Leyland has introduced BSVI-compliant Boss LE and LX ICVs with a host of new changes.

shok Leyland Ltd. has introduced BSVI Boss LE and LX with i-Gen6 technology. Positioned in the Intermediate Commercial Vehicle (ICV) segment, the truck has a GVW of 11.1-tonne and 14.05-tonne respectively. Available with a loading span ranging from 14 ft. to 24 ft., the ICV could be had with a number of body types. These include high side deck, fixed side deck, drop side deck, cab chassis, container body and tipper body. Aiming at a plethora of applications like parcel and courier, poultry, white goods, agri-perishable, e-commerce, FMCG, auto parts and reefer, the BSVI Boss LE and LX are priced Rs.18 lakhs (ex-showroom) onwards. Taking the ICV platform that was launched in 2013, and received an upgrade in 2019 with the addition of Boss 1616 and Boss 1916 early last year, the BSVI Boss LE and LX are offered with a number of engineering changes to make them smarter, better and more robust. Arriving in an environment that is challenging, the two Boss variants have also been treated to ergonomic upgrades and safety upgrades. Available with two cabin options, the trucks are powered by a 150 hp, 3839 cc H-series diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission (with cable shift). The BSVI engine promises seven-per cent higher fuel efficiency. Equipped with

Team CV

air brakes, the ICV range features parabolic leaf springs and telescopic shock absorbers at the front. At the rear, the vehicle features semi-elliptical leaf springs and telescopic shock absorbers. Available with a 200 litres fuel tank (one variant is known to come with a 105-litre fuel tank), the BSVI Boss has a grade-ability of about 18 per cent. With its top speed limited to 80 kmph, the ICV is backed by digital solutions like i-Alert and remote diagnostics. Promising up to five-per cent better tyre life and up to 30 per cent longer service interval, the BSVI Boss LE and LX have their cabins of the ‘suspended’ type for better ride quality and comfort. Featuring a power steering, which is adjustable for tilt and telescopic reach, the ICV

range comes with a fourway adjustable driver’s seat. Promising up to five-per cent lower maintenance cost, the BSVI ICV range also features air-conditioning. Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Cover Story

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Cover Story

Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI The Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI is a curious mix of ‘history in motion’ and still very relevant and empowered. Bhushan Mhapralkar

t is late evening and the road past Pen on the famous Mumbai-Goa national highways turns terrible. It becomes difficult to pick up the road from the potholes as the bright headlamp beams break the monotony of the dark. Progress, albeit at a slower pace, is assured by a reliable machine that the Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI is turning out to be. It is taking what is thrown at it with a compliant. Moving cargo from Vasai on the outskirts of Mumbai to Dapoli, some 280 kms to the south, the LCV, in its new, BSVI avatar, is coming across as a capable machine that is still very much relevant. Against the backdrop of much modernisation that is sweeping through the CV industry for a decade or two now, the Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI is making a case of how its semi-forward cabin is still keeping up with the times. Coming to life in the mid-80s when the tide of modernisation was sweeping through the various tiers of the Indian auto industry, starting with the arrival of Government-backed Maruti Udyog on the scene, the Tata 407 did not take time to carve

out a niche for itself. It was not an easy task with the likes of DCM Toyota, Eicher Mitsubishi and Swaraj Mazda on the scene. Rolling off the Tata Motor’s modern facility built inside a vast plant at Pune, the Tata 407 drew many who found its semi-forward stance similar to that of a light truck by a German manufacturer. At a time when trucks were mostly offered as a rolling chassis, the Tata 407 offered a strong, fully-built cabin. Its efficient diesel engine changed the equation in terms of who trucks were perceived then. Much water has flown under the bridge, and the 2020 model with a 100 hp, three-litre BSVI diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox is turning out to be quite in tune with the times. The maximum torque has gone up from 250 Nm to 300 Nm. Work has also gone into making it more reliable and dependable as it gets up to the BSVI level. Seeing improvement on the NVH front too, with the use of new engine mounts that ensure no vibrations pass through, the use of better insulation material has also led to a cabin that is quieter

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

cover story

and more comfortable. Up to speed Rolling down the Mumbai roads, and on the highway, what felt more intrusive was the road

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

noise, wind noise and the noise of the vehicles passing by. Turning out to be comfortable to drive despite some very trying and congested roads, the 407 SFC Gold BSVI made a good

impression for a machine that could trace its roots to a good decades ago. If the exterior changes like the new fascia bring the LCV up to speed with what is being offered currently,

cover story

including the Tata Motors’ own thoroughly new breed Ultra range, this truck felt every bit worthy of application and usage. Fitted with parabolic leaf springs and double-acting shock absorbers at the front, and semi-elliptical multi leaf springs and double-acting shock absorbers at the rear, the 407 SFC Gold, with its re-positioned gearshift and pedals made for an easy drive. The improved low-end torque helped tackle differing road situations (the Kashedi ghat with its long hair pin sections put the LCV to a test) with confidence. If the higher seating position was immediately apparent, the large glass area contributed towards the airy feel of the cabin. Spacious the day cabin of the

truck looked with the capability to accommodate three people, including the driver, in good comfort. Behind the wheel, the modern dashboard and steering wheel made an early, positive impression. The dash texture gave the impression of it being hard wearing. Good for a truck and the abuse it could be subjected to. Featuring a lockable glovebox, a blower unit with a knob at the centre, the dashboard also incorporates a factory-fitted stereo, which is loud enough to make itself heard beyond the wind and road noise. The after-exhaust regeneration switches are located besides the steering column. They connect with the vehicle’s Selective Catalytic Regeneration (SCR)

system. A proof in case is the urea dosing tank on the right side ahead of the rear wheel and adjacent to the 60-litre fuel tank. Tata Motors refers to the liquid as ‘DEF’. Witnessing a five-mm increase in thickness, the ‘C’section ladder frame of the truck is now more robust according to Tata Motors’ sources. If the improved refinement levels were felt, the robustness of the truck was evident as it tackled the rain-ravaged sections of the Mumbai-Goa national highway. Comfortable and convenient The well-contained noise levels of the drivetrain adding to the improvement in the area of NVH, the Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI, with its compact turning circle,

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

cover story

made for easy driving as well as manoeuvring. If the truck seemed to shrink around its driver, the ORVMs providing a good view of the surrounding, what felt surprising is the seeming broad cargo tray that lapped up the cargo quite well. This particular model is available with a cargo deck length of 8.3 ft. A variant with 10 ft. deck length is on offer too, and adds to the versatility of the model range. Highly familiar and with a strong track record, the Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI, through the 600 km drive, felt tough and robust. With a long legacy to talk home about, it also felt comfortable and convenient. With the cargo safely stacked in the HSD cabin, the truck, with a GVW of 4.4-tonnes and

a payload of 2400 kg, made good progress throughout the journey. With speeds in the region of 60 to 65 kmph on the well-paved sections (the top speed is limited to 80 kmph), the LCV conveyed modernity through its digital instrument cluster with a certain ease. It was the bit of this truck that seem to impress time and again. Incorporating a large tacho and speedometer, the digital instrument cluster is comprehensive. It conveys information about the health of the vehicle in the form of tell tale warning lamps that light up like a Christmas tree when the key is turned on and settle down to indicate the parameters. The LCD screen at the centre is interesting. A vertical bar graph

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

indication speaks about the DEF level and at the top corner is the indication about average fuel efficiency. At the end of the journey, the LCV came to show a figure of 8.1 kmpl. A figure in the region of 7.8 kmpl was a constant throughout the journey. Aimed at diverse applications â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this particular example does the duty of ferrying paint industry chemicals from the warehouse to bigger trucks at the terminal that takes it to various nooks and corners of the country, the Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI, time and again, felt strong and dependable. It provided an insight into how trucks like it are being modernised to stay relevant and up to the speed. It surprised time and again with its

cover story

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

cover story

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

cover story

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

cover story

agility and robustness. Perhaps the only model after the Tata 1210 to be so familiar and 407 light truck provided an insight into what Tata Motors refers to as the ‘Power of Six’. It is about greater profits, enhanced performance, increased driving comfort, greater convenience and connectivity, greater value, and improved safety and security. The power of six In terms of security and connectivity, the Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI comes with a red SOS button on the dashboard. It is a button that the driver could use to send an SOS message to the transport owner in an

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

emergency. It is a part of Tata Motors advanced telematics platform, the Fleetman. A versatile piece of modern gadgetry aboard a BSVI machine as standard, it helps to track and trace, to manage trips and maximise utilisation and to assess driver behaviour and vehicle health. Referred to as a truck range that is ‘The Non-Stop Profit Machine’, the Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI, throughout the drive, provided an insight into why it has been so successful. Over 500,000 units of the Tata 407 have been sold till date. Said to have been born out an arrangement in 1986 when Tata Motors purchased all of the pressing tools for Steryr’s

591/691 series of trucks, the Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI made a solid impression. Perhaps the only semi-forward control LCV that is claimed to be available in 4x4 configuration too, the truck, throughout the long journey, made for an interesting case. If it felt like history in motion, the light truck also reminded, time and again, about how it took on the competition to emerge as the most preferred LCV starting from the mid-80s. To sum up, the Tata 407 SFC Gold BSVI, put to a test, over the distance of 600 km of near non-stop driving except for loading and unloading of cargo, felt quite relevant and empowered yet.

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Special report

Portable Medical Unit by Sub Zero

Sub Zero has introduced an emergency mobile medical unit on a CV. Deepti Thore

pecialising in reefer boxes, Sub Zero Insulation Tech Pvt. Ltd. (Sub Zero) has introduced an emergency mobile medical unit on a CV. An offshoot of Jayanand Khira, which was established in 1949 under the aegis of the Khira Group, the company has leveraged the experience and know-how of its parent company to develop the mobile medical unit. It has done so to aid the government organisations and

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

various other bodies to deal with the menace of Covid-19. Finding an opportunity as various measures are initiated to upgrade the health care network to deal with such unprecedented health challenges, Sub Zero has developed the mobile medical unit to fit on a 10- to 12-tonne truck chassis. Made with use in remote areas in view, the mobile medical unit, according to Sub Zero, has innovative features like portability and expansion module. If these

make the mobile medical unit distinctive, it is also had with an amount of customisation to address specific requirements. As part of a strategy to foray into new segments like healthcare by building ambulances as well, Sub Zero is offering the mobile medical units at competitive costs. Available with diverse internal layout arrangements, and different equipment types for applications like dental health care, ENT, orthopaedic, blood collection, etc., the portable

special report mobile medical units have been developed to bridge the gap between rural and urban healthcare. They have been designed to ensure rapid response in the case of an emergency. Revealing that his company is in discussion with several OEMs, Khira mentioned that the portable mobile medical unit is also ideal for corporates to carry out their CSR activities; for government agencies, defence organisations, hospitals, NGOs and others. Providing a comfortable space for the purpose, the portable mobile medical units have been designed to ensure that they can reach remote destinations. They thus have a loading span of approximately 20 ft. Having filed for a patent, the portable mobile medical unit that Sub Zero has designed, is a result of consultation with leading architects and doctors. To

Deep Khira, CEO, Sub Zero Insulation Tech.

make it a fully functional mobile clinic, which is the need of the times, the company used engineered sandwich panels. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This would help make them reliable and light in weight,â&#x20AC;? said Deep Khira, CEO, Sub Zero Insulation Tech Pvt. Ltd. Built at the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pune facility, the portable mobile medical units are powered by an external power supply or an onboard diesel generator. The units could also be had with solar panels as an option.

Priced in the range of Rupeessix lakhs to Rs.19 lakhs, the portable mobile medical units have been designed and developed to maintain the necessary hygiene levels. Insulated against heat and sound, the portable mobile medical units could be equipped with more facilities onboard. It could be expanded using two-to-three people in less than 30 minutes to create double the floor area. With expansion and portability modules as one of the unique features of this mobile unit, a combination of electrical actuators and winches help open up the expansion module to make it more versatile. Provided with hydraulic legs to dismount the unit from the chassis, allowing it to be used as a stationary unit as well, the portable mobile medical units are highly localised. Only a few raw materials

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Special report

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

special report

are sourced from Germany, averred Khira. He added, “We keep ready stock of most raw materials in order to offer a quick turnaround to the customers.” Had with or without air-conditioning, the portable mobile medical units conform to a special body code, according to Khira. “Our bodies under truck body code are in the final stage of certification,” he informed. Seeking registration under a special purpose vehicle category, Sub Zero has designed and developed the portable mobile medical units in the form of a truck-mounted application. Capable of travelling places or operating as a standalone unit, the portable mobile medical units are durable and long-lasting, according to Khira. Offered as a basic version or as a turnkey solution, the portable mobile medical units are likely to roll out of the company’s

facility at Chennai as well. With the basic version featuring an empty shell with basic features like two rooms -- one for consultation and other for treatment, the other (turnkey) version combines basic as well as specialised features such as an air-conditioning system, hospital beds and furniture (that includes tables, chairs, storage cabinet, etc.). While the basic units are fitted with two toilets or one shower and one toilet as per the requirement, the other (turnkey) version is equipped with facilities like stretchers, ventilators, sterilisers, blood pressure monitor, x-ray monitor, ECG machine, and a fully equipped surgery bed. Offered with a wash basin, roof lights and electric supply points, the other (turnkey) version of the portable mobile medical units is had with allied surgery equipment like surgical

lights and other specialised medical equipment as per the requirement. Equipped with PVC tanks for fresh and wastewater, and with hydraulic legs to support the unit without a truck chassis under, the portable mobile medical units are supported by Sub Zero’s expertise and experience in building insulated reefer bodies. Combining this expertise and experience with the art of building RVs, the company is looking to promote the expandable units as ‘FlexiBox’. Said Khira, that they used the downtime to plan this product-line. A decision to enter this field was taken after much deliberation and market research, he added. Of the opinion that such portable medical units will be the future of mobile healthcare in India, Khira averred that they are working on new products that would further address the requirements of the

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

In focus

60th SIAM Annual Convention The 60th SIAM Annual Convention against the backdrop of Covid made for some very interesting insights.

ccounting for almost 7.1 per cent of India’s GDP and providing direct and indirect employment to about 37 million people, the Indian auto industry has been battling some unprecedented challenges for some time now. Witnessing the steepest ever decline in the first quarter (April – June 2020) of the current financial year with vehicle sales plummeting by over 75 per cent as compared to the corresponding period last year, the industry has seen a good escalation in its working capital needs in order to address regulatory as well as market requirements. More regulations are on the way and also the market requirements are shifting rapidly. Amid such developments, the 60th Annual SIAM held at Delhi recently (under the theme, ‘Re-building the Nation, Responsibly’) saw Rajan Wadhera, Past President, SIAM & Senior Advisor, Mahindra & Mahindra, announce in his inaugural speech the need for regulations and how they would help to catch up with the rest of the world in terms of specifications and vehicle standards. “There is however

Deepti Thore and Deven Lad a need for the government to intervene and resolve the problems faced by the automotive manufacturers,” he said. Opining that it was necessary to strengthen the auto industry so that it is capable of investing further into the upcoming safety regulations, Wadhera expressed that Indian auto industry is reeling under pressure because of the Covid pandemic. The return on investment Stating that the depreciation on investments had been huge, Wadhera averred that commensurate revenues have not been realised by the industry due to the lack of consumer demand. He remarked, “There is a need to push the Indian automobile industry to greater heights and adopt required measures for demand revival in the light of the recent pandemic.” Speaking against the background of the implementation of BSVI emission norms in April 2020 and the developments that followed, Wadhera touched upon the challenges faced by automakers, dealers and the suppliers since the slowdown

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Rajan Wadhera, Past President SIAM and Senior Advisor, Mahindra & Mahindra.

in 2019 and during the during the April and June lockdown. Pointing at the auto industry’s 49 per cent contributing to the manufacturing GDP and a turnover of USD 120 billion in FY2018-19, Wadhera mentioned that this is perhaps the most versatile and an all-inclusive industry. Drawing attention to the 15 per cent contribution of the Indian auto industry to the country’s GST revenue kitty of Rs.1,50,000 crores per annum, Wadhera said that it is the fifth largest in the world and exports products to 190 countries. Informing that the Indian auto industry generates export revenue worth USD 27 billion, Wadhera in his speech

in focus

The image is used for representative purpose only.

said that it has achieved a successful transition to BSVI. Opining that the industry has displayed immense resilience, Wadhera said that the government has helped the industry for it to get back on its feet. “It took a lot of efforts to re-start operations,” he added. Decline in the CV industry Informing that the government helped the Indian auto industry to airlift components from China; to get the trucks to ply for essential and non-essential goods; to reduce the repo rates, to extend the moratorium for loan repayment, and to begin operations in multiple shifts including the night shift, Wadhera said that stakeholders across the value

Uday Kotak, President, CII, and Managing Director & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank.

chain need to work together to ensure that growth returns to the Indian auto industry. Stating that it was essential to revive demand, to engineer a long-term regulatory roadmap, to develop infrastructure, and work towards an allinclusive ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission, he mentioned that the commercial vehicle industry has faced its second longest slowdown in the last 15 years due to the rise in the cost of ownership and the

introduction of the axle load norms. He also expressed the need to revive consumer demand. Drawing attention to challenges like job uncertainty, income losses and a huge drop in consumer sentiment, Wadhera explained that things started going downhill from FY2019-20. A drop of about 18 per cent was witnessed in FY2019-20, he added. Stating that some CV segments witnessed a sharp decline of up to 45 per cent, Wadhera said the CV industry was in particular affected by liquidity crunch and regulations from various quarters. Proposing specific recommendations like reduction in GST from 28 per cent to 18 per cent for all vehicle categories, Wadhera said that the reduction in taxes would significantly help

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

In focus The image is used for representative purpose only.

in uplifting the demand for automobiles. Reviving demand Drawing attention to the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move to develop a champion export scheme which would benefit companies having an export potential at one end, and provide India to become an attractive sourcing destination for the world at the other, Wadhera averred that attention needs to be given to minimise the cost disadvantage on logistics. To support Brand India, the government, he added, is also encouraging activities to strengthen the Indian auto sector and export good number of vehicles. He pointed at SIAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suggestion to engineer an incentivebased vehicle capex, and to fund allocation for STUs plying diesel and CNG buses similar to electric buses under the FAME II scheme. Speaking about the need for the auto sector and the government to work closely, Wadhera expressed that the auto

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Information & Broadcasting and Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of India.

industry is finding it tough to comply with regulations coming up in the face of a demand deficit. To revive auto demand, it will take a lot of doing and undoing on the policy front as well, he added. Uday Kotak, President, CII, and Managing Director & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank, drew attention to the supply-side bottlenecks witnessed at various state and regional levels from time to time due to the sudden lockdown. He opined that the festive season would provide the required demand boost. Stating that money is available for financing the vehicles, it is the demand that is lacking, he averred. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the manufacturers are

Dr. Pawan Goenka, past SIAM President and the Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra.

all geared up and working hard to build the capacity for October and November festive season, it is important there is good demand, said Kotak. He drew attention to the automotive mission plan till 2026, and stated that it was necessary to target sector ramp-up such that it would contribute 12 per cent of the GDP instead of seven per cent by 2026. Opining that to stay on course, there was a need to stimulate, Kotak said that it is demand and the subsequent scale that will increase industry competitiveness as well as their ability to offer vehicles at an attractive price. Infrastructure is the way to growth Stating that infrastructure

in focus

The image is used for representative purpose only.

development is the only answer, Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Information & Broadcasting and Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of India, mentioned that the fivekilometre tunnel on the road to Leh would save tremendous amount of time. He touched on the performance of the rural economy and the sale of tractors, and expressed that the government has taken an initiative to support 5000 electrical buses. Opining that EV growth depends on various factors, Javdekar mentioned that cost is a major factor. He drew attention to many private players developing charging infrastructure and

the decision to support battery swapping technology taken. The union minister announced that it is a matter of time before the cost of EVs reach a level where they are comparable to that of the existing vehicles. Announcing that GST has been an important tax reform, Javadekar said that the GST council would evaluate the decision to reduce the rate of GST on vehicles taking into account parameters that include economic and social impact, and revenue impact. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Details of the proposals are being worked out by the finance ministry,â&#x20AC;? he revealed. On scrappage policy, the union minister said that much has been discussed. All the

stakeholders have given their inputs and the government is ready with the proposal. Expect the scrappage policy to be announced soon, he said further. Talking about the Automotive Mission Plan (AMP), Dr. Pawan Goenka, past SIAM president and the Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra, said that it was necessary to revisit it. A discussion should be carried out with the auto industry, the component industry and the dealer association to layout a new map, he added. Stating that 24 task forces were set up in India under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and numerous reviews were taken to help support the auto sector, Dr. Goenka said

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

In focus

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME), Government of India.

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Regulatory roadmap and infrastructure Highlighting the auto industry’s fire safety and emission norms adaptation record, Vikram Kirloskar, Past President, SIAM and Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motors, said that significant investments have been made. These would require time to recoup, he added. Opining that the industry stands at a crossroad with various technological pathways and alternative energy options available for a cleaner, greener and a sustainable future, Kirloskar mentioned a need to pause and re-evaluate the options by keeping in mind the recent geopolitical developments, ultimate national objectives, including ‘self-reliant India’, and the need to safeguard the industry competitiveness. Calling for a long term, stable regulatory roadmap,

The image is used for representative purpose only.

that it achieved a growth of 16 per cent CAGR over the last 25 years. “Compared to the revenue of Rs.12,000 crores in 1993, the sector today has reached a revenue mark of Rs.5,75,000 crores,” he expressed. Stressing on the need to augment exports, reduce imports, create more jobs and scale-up investments in R&D, Goenka averred that there was a need to eliminate gaps in competitiveness, quality, cost and technology in order to reduce imports by half in the next four to five years. Stressing on the need to re-think, re-strategise, reorganise and implement steps to reduce the logistics costs, he called for relaxing of duties and taxes, FTAs and similar

other trading pre-requites with bigger automobile markets. Stating that India is currently the largest exporter to Central and South America, Dr. Goenka said that 40 per cent of the export volume currently goes to these markets, followed by central and East Africa. Exports now account for 16 per cent of the industry’s total output, he added. Touching upon the theme of the convention, ‘Building the nation responsibly through sound development of the industry’, Kenichi Ayukawa, President Elect, SIAM and Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said that sound development of the industry means increase in production sales volume, exports, and higher localisation of parts. It also means self reliance or ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, he added.

in focus he averred that the adverse impact of the pandemic on the industry is unprecedented. “This warrants a re-look at the timelines of future regulations like fuel efficiency norms and BSVI phase two,” he added. Stating that an abrupt change that alters the planned lifecycle of products affects badly, Kirloskar urged the government to set up longer timelines, provide a clear vision on the same and fix dates for changes. Stressing on the need for the Indian auto industry to be the number one manufacturing hub of the world, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME), Government of India, expressed that EVs will find a way into the industry. He said

Kenichi Ayukawa, President, SIAM and Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India.

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, Government of India.

Vikram Kirloskar, Past President, SIAM and Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motors.

that the Government would discuss with all the EV makers and fix up the standard quality norms. Drawing attention to the work done by his ministry in areas of mobility and road infrastructure, he informed that 22 green express highways were being built. “These,” he added, “include the Delhi-Mumbai expressway (with Rs.100000 crores investment) MeerutDelhi expressway, BangaloreChennai expressway, Hyderabad-Nagpur expressway and AmritsarDelhi expressway.”

to promote alternative fuels. India imports oil worth rupees seven lakh crores annually, he informed. Stating that there was a need to strengthen the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission through the use of alternative fuels, Gadkari averred that LNG is the fuel of the future. He clarified that the government is not giving up on hydrogen fuels and electricity as they too are important. Use of such mediums will save foreign exchange and create more employment potential, Gadkari opined. Explaining that the Indian economy for ethanol is Rs.20,000 crores currently, Gadkari said that his government was making efforts to grow it to the Rs.1,00000 crore economy mark. “To do so, the government has allowed production of ethanol from rice as the country has surplus rice and food grains,” he added. Stating that the government has now allowed companies whose worth is more than Rs.250 crores to start their own petrol pumps on the condition that they should have one alternative fuel pump as well, Gadkari said that countries like USA,

Water and air pollution Highlighting air and water pollution as crucial issues, Gadkari pointed out that emission norms and environmental sustainability is important. Safety and regulations are also important to reduce the number of accidents in the country, he said. Giving an example of the Tamil Nadu Government having reduced accidents and deaths by 25 per cent in cooperation with the World Bank, Gadkari said that there was a need

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

In focus Canada and Brazil are using flex engine technology, which is proven. He urged the Indian auto industry to look at this technology to reduce pollution and to reduce dependence on imported fuel. World’s second largest road network Announcing that India now has the second largest road network in the world, Gadkari mentioned that the speed of construction has gone up from two-to-three kms a day to 40 kms a day. Informing that road safety norms in place have led to manufacturers successfully implementing regulations crucial to vehicle safety, such as crash norms, ABS, airbags, seatbelts, reverse parking assistance system, VTS to name a few, Gadkari explained that this has been made possible by the commitment of Indian auto industry. “However,

that his government would try to bring about an integrated fuel road map, phase-wise intervention of different fuel options and supporting infrastructure, Gadkari said that a need was for a more planned approach taking into account global development, infrastructure readiness, localisation, the requirement of cost competitiveness. “This,” he said, “would encourage the Indian auto industry to become a front runner on the global scene.” Co-operation and guidance Explaining that it was important for the industry to co-operate, co-ordinate and communicate with other stakeholders to support the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision, Gadkari said that the auto industry leaders should develop a platform where

The image is used for representative purpose only.

apart from making the vehicle safer it is also important to complement it with the right road designs,” he added. Pointing at the future of mobility, the union minister opined that this would require integration with infrastructure. Informing that the highways and expressways are enabled with lane markings suitable for implementation of Advanced Driver Assist technologies, Gadkari averred that the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019 has promoted use of digital technologies for traffic safety and rule enforcement. Touching on the successful implementation of FastTag, Gadkari said that infrastructure growth and enhancement is being looked at. It is being looked at not just from a connected vehicle point of view, but also from an electric and alternate fuel point of vehicle, he stated. Announcing

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

in focus

The image is used for representative purpose only.

retired experts who have made significant contribution to the auto industry and to the government and are impartial, are able to provide guidance. He also suggested that the industry should have a good technological research centre to train skilled manpower. Stressing on the need to carry out research and development, the union minister said that customer preference is changing. Treasurer, SIAM & Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, Vinod Aggarwal, said that infrastructure development is extremely important for the CV industry and the economy. Drawing attention to the 70 per cent drop in CV volumes in comparison to FY2019-20, Aggarwal said that it would take one-to-two years to get back to the FY2018-19 level.

Local approach Acknowledging the automobile industry’s resilience, adaptability and innovation potential, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, Government of India, pointed out that Augus t s a l e s n u m b e r s o f a u t o m o b i l e s we re s l ow l y cl i mbi ng up to the pre Covi d l eve l . O f the o pi ni o n that the re was a ne e d to cre ate a sustai nabl e val ue chai n, G oyal sai d that, fo r Indi a to be a pre fe rre d suppl i e r de sti nati o n, the re was a n e e d t o f o c u s o n i n n ova t i o n , d e s i g n , electric and autonomous ve h i c l e t e c h n o l o g i e s among others. Stating t h a t I n d i a ’s ex p o r t p o t e n t i a l i s h a m p e re d be cause o f val i d and no nval i d barri e rs face d i n the i ndustry, G oyal sai d that g l obal-scale plants need to

be built. Plants that are on par with the international standards. Stressing on the need for auto manufacturers to improve scale and quality so that it is worthy of export, Goyal said that initiatives like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ will help build the country’s economy and boost the automotive sector. “Investments in R&D and innovation would help,” he added. Drawing attention to the credit guarantee model, creation of automotive hubs and clusters, collaboration with states for easier availability of land, and adoption of a more competitive approach to domestic manufacturing as some of the innovative models devised by the government to boost exports, Goyal mentioned that upskilling was important for the Indian auto industry to grow.

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Smart transport

Bus electrification The image is used for representative purpose only.

Post Covid-19, a significant change in bus electrification is expected. Deepti Thore

ndia ranks second in bus population after China globally. Like China, this market too is striving for electrification. It is doing so with the intention of curbing emissions. It is also doing so with the intention of plugging the supply and demand gaps which exist. The post Covid-19 situation has ensured that there is a significant change in the outlook in terms of providing transportation to millions of people as they look at returning to work and travel. While electrification of city buses, a domain that

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

is largely with the public STUs, underway to an extent, and under the premise that these buses are capable of reaching every part of the city, electrification of buses is a factor that has many complexities attached to it. And, this despite the fact that buses are an important mode of transportation and their capacity can be rapidly increased with a modest capital input. Of the opinion that buses need to be put at the centre of policy and developed to full capacity, even if metro systems are

implemented, Dr. A K Jindal, Advisor - e-Mobility, New products and Technology, Tata AutoComp Systems expressed that there are several advantages to be reaped. Buses are comprehensive and provide the required connectivity to the peri-urban and rural areas around the city, he added. Stating that buses are cheaper than other transport mediums in terms of capital as well as the recurring costs per passenger kilometre basis, Dr. Jindal averred that bus operations are also highly

smart transport as well as quickly scalable in terms of expanding their scope, and also in terms of the change of participation. A prime candidate for the participation of the private sector, bus operations, he explained offer high level of flexibility in terms of adaptation to the change of city plan for example. Capable of being environment friendly through the adaptation of greener and less CO2 emitting technologies, Dr. Jindal informed that bus operations make it easy to implement a national policy or programme that takes into consideration the local and regional needs. Revealing that per passenger trip, buses emit just 10-25 per cent of the particulate matter and Co2 compared to other transport modes, Dr. Jindal said that the shift to e-buses can lead to further reduction in these figures. e-bus tech Of the opinion that buses are a crucial mode of public

Dr. A K Jindal, Advisor e-Mobility, New products and Technology, TATA Autocomp Systems Limited.

transport in a populous country like India, Sajid Mubashir, Scientist G, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India at Ministry of Science and Technology, mentioned that technology should be modified or adapted to work in a tropical environment like India. For e-buses to be compatible for operation in India, the need for them is to be set to 25 degrees. The need is for the batteries to be compatible. Battery conditions dramatically alter in India due to higher temperatures, Mubashir revealed. With

electric buses at an inflection point, there is a need for the right technology, he averred. Touching on the presence of tech-savvy companies in the e-bus space in India, he said that some companies have gone to the extent of adapting their technology to the tropical operations in the country. Stating that a BYD e-bus carries three-tonnes of battery pack which is tropical condition friendly, Mubashir explained that lithium-ion phosphate batteries are safe, but require effective cooling. The BYD bus, he informed, has an onboard charger of 80 kilowatts and hub-mounted motors (motor is inside the wheels). The e-bus, he added, carries not just its own charging apparatus and takes the whole night to charge, its battery is big enough for the bus to run the whole day. Drawing attention to the operation of city buses in India along well-defined routes and with a fixed passenger load, Mubashir stated that the

The image is used for representative purpose only. Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Smart transport

energy use of such e-buses is predictable. He termed the city bus operations as energy efficient and a good candidate for regenerative braking due to their frequent starts and stops. Informing that a trip length of a typical city bus is generally 40 kms, Mubashir said that repeated small charges during the day, between trips, are good for the battery. Most operators however, do not prefer this (opportunity charging). Pointing at Microvastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to fast charge (20 minute full charge battery), he remarked that they deploy Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) batteries. Highlighting the need for buses to be lighter and sans heavy batteries, Mubashir expressed that opportunity charging needs to be looked

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Nayana Gunde, Honorary Chairman and Managing Director, PMPML (Pune).

at. It needs to be looked at in a situation where utmost reliability, efficiency and sanitisation are the need of the hour. For charging lakh or two lakh buses it is quite difficult to meet that scale with overnight charging. For opportunity charging there are various charging methods which can be used, he informed. There are variations of CHAdeMO, CCS and GB/T

which are different methods for battery electric vehicles, explained Mubashir. Revealing that CHAdeMO connector is identical across the globe and is a stand-alone plug that can be with or without an AC connector, he said that its use enables fast charging. Of the opinion that CCS (Combined Charging System) is one of several competing charging plug (and vehicle communication) standards for DC fast charging, Mubashir averred that GB/T, apart from supporting quick charging, enables the vehicle connector to be locked in its bracket to guard against vandalism. e-bus battery tech Informing that there are two types of batteries for e-buses, Lithium-ion phosphate

smart transport

Microvastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Modularised Battery System.

Sajid Mubashir , Scientist G, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India at Ministry of Science and Technology.

and Lithium titanate oxide, Mubashir mentioned that they are suitable for higher temperatures in India. They are safer and temperature tolerant, he added. Developed by Arumugam Manthiram and John Goodenough, Lithium iron phosphate batteries are non-toxic and display excellent thermal stability. They also exhibit good electrochemical performance and holding capacity. Lithium titanate oxide, at the other end, is good for opportunity charging. Batteries made from this material use lithium titanate nanocrystals instead of carbon and have a larger surface area of 100 sq.m/g compared to 3 sq.m/g for carbon. They charge quickly and provide high currents when required. They also have a long cycle life of 10000 cycles at 25 degrees. Even at 55 degrees they give 1000 cycles. Needing to be charged often, batteries made from lithium titanate nanocrystals help meet certain strategic goals. This is true with the other types of batteries as well. With e-buses often described as the battery trojan horses, the use of battery technology holds much significance. In what is considered as an interesting

development, the BYD bus, mentioned Mubashir, carries a battery pack that weighs a good three-tonnes. Yutonghas, he added, carried even bigger batteries. Mubashir opined that the ACC (Battery Cell) manufacturing mission must be linked to the spread of electric buses in India as a large volume of bus batteries would be required. With many organisations in India contributing towards successful operation of electric bus fleets, it is essential that the ACC manufacturing mission is engineered to encourage the spread of electric buses with good availability of batteries, he added. Mubashir also pointed at how the deployment of EVs in Kolkata has earned themselves

Lithium-ion phosphate batteries.

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Smart transport

The image is used for representative purpose only.

global recognition on the basis of their planning as an organisation for the plying of buses along the routes, and in terms of infrastructure. Success story of EV buses in India Stating that the cost of operation of electric buses is less than that of the diesel buses, Nayana Gunde, Honorary Chairman and Managing Director, PMPML (Pune), informed that the organisation spends Rs.90 per km to maintain a diesel or CNG bus. Under the new financial model, the cost of running a small e-bus is Rs.68 per km and that of running a big bus is Rs.74 per km, she added. PMPL is running around 135 buses in Pune. While organisations like PMPML are coming to see the lower operational costs of e-buses, a more indepth assessment over the entire lifecycle of the bus is necessary under typical Indian operating cycles and ecological environment. This is

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

especially necessary because despite all the good intentions behind implementing e-mobility, the progress in the development of e-buses has been slow. Several reasons are being stated for that. Many of these are said to lie in various standard processes and financial developments. There are some factors as well, which are resulting in high anxiety and uncertainty in the adoption of e-mobility. The high initial acquisition cost of e-buses is making government subsidies crucial without a doubt. The Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model is found to be favourable but has its own set of challenges. From the OEM perspective, repeated cancellation of tenders has been one of the issues. They have had to replan time and again. The entry of new players at the other end has added an edge to the competition and has resulted in margins slipping to levels that are hardly viable. Under pressure to keep the

fares low, the operating bodies and in-turn the government of states and the centre are finding it tough to support the growth of e-buses on a scale that influence the drop in vehicles emissions from public transport buses considered as a whole. With the filling of viability gap becoming a big challenge, electrification of buses is facing many challenges. If the Covid-19 situation has added to it, a new way to look at e-buses is made necessary. This is especially true when factors like uncertainty of payments is there. Factors like the need to provide bank guarantees are there. These are highly concerning factors for operators along with high cost of funds and need for longduration funding. Funding provided for only four to five years is proving to be insufficient. Especially when one considers that a bus operates on the road for 10 years.

Industry Talk

Practising SelfReliance

Tier-one CV industry supplier, Jamna Auto Industries Ltd. has been practising self-reliance through 100 per cent localisation. Deepti Thore

here are not many commercial vehicles that Jamna Auto Industries (JAI) Ltd. does not supply their leaf spring suspension systems to. Referred to as India’s largest, and among the world’s third-largest, manufacturer of tapered leaf springs and parabolic springs for automobiles, for their endto-end after-market distribution and manufacturing processes, the company has been focusing on high value-accretive products like the BSVI compliant spring series. Practicing self-reliance through 100 per cent localisation

even before the prime minister Narendra Modi announced the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, JAI has been procuring the raw material entirely locally for its products. Mentioned Bhupesh Mehta, President, and Head -- Aftermarket, JAI Ltd., that initiatives like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ have the potential to boost the economy. He averred that there was a need for the CV market to revive quickly, and for a highly positive mid- and longterm growth trajectory. Of the opinion that the Covid-19 situation has led to companies introspecting

as well as going back to the drawing board to redraw the cost rationalisation strategy as well as pursue digitisation, Mehta averred, “Initiatives like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ will help the CV industry to grow and sustain.” “In the long-term,” he added, “it would help reduce reliance on other countries for parts.” Said to have engaged Ramco Systems to upgrade its ERP system, especially that of its Yamunanagar plant, which would pave the way to a company-wide digital transformation with four more plants of the company being brought up to speed, JAI

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

Industry Talk

Bhupesh Mehta, President, and Head-Aftermarket, JAI Ltd.

is following a well-chalked out strategy to expand its product portfolio. Working towards further digitisation of its ways of working with the hope that efficiency upgrade will follow, the company is keen to standardise as well as gain a unified view of operations. Remarked Mehta, “We want to achieve our goal of a paperless and efficient office.” “We want to provide innovative solutions for ease of doing business,”he added further.

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

New age products Catering to CV majors like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, VE Commercial Vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra, Force Motors, Isuzu Motors, SML Isuzu, Toyota and UD Trucks, JAI has introduced new products under the BSVI line-up like lift-axle, stabiliser bar, pneumatic suspension, trailer suspension. The company has also introduced allied products like ‘U’ bolts and ‘Z’ springs. Confident of achieving good growth through the good market acceptance of BSVI products, the company is closely observing the change in the pace of some of the CV segments. Manufacturing multi-leaf springs from threekilograms to 200 kg for CV and speciality vehicles, JAI is keen to help CV makers present impressive BSVI offerings that are cleaner, more efficient, better performing, reliable and have a lower TCO.

Using 51CrV4 material procured locally for the manufacture of springs, JAI is carrying out considerable investments in the area of design and development. It has designed and developed springs that are strong and capable of withstanding the field severity associated with springs deployed in heavy-duty CVs. It has also designed and developed springs that are used in speciality vehicles and account for a good deal of customisation. The hybrid, conventional and parabolic leaf springs developed by JAI have found good success. Their lightweight yet sturdy construction has been well appreciated. These leaf springs have contributed to the CV maker’s ability to address the dynamic needs of the market, and to meet the regulations that have been coming one after the other. With the conditions of roads at many places highly

Industry Talk

deplorable despite the big talk about modernising infrastructure (the Mumbai-Goa national highway or the national highway stretch between Pune and Satara with a heavy toll tax for example; the horribly unsafe national highway stretch between Mira Road and Gujarat border with heavy toll tax for example), it is the CV suspensions that take the most beating. Operating nine state-ofthe-art plants strategically located at Yamunanagar, Malanpur, Jamshedpur, Pune, Chennai, Pilliapakkam, Hosur, Pantnagar and Lucknow, Indore and Adityapur, JAI is investing in quality. It is ensuring that its products are of the highest quality standards; are highly reliable, and free of any defect. Investing in mistakeproofing through Poka-Yoke, the company is hoping that the recent measures announced by the Government will help the economy recover. “The government has announced different measures to help the MSME sector in the country,

which would benefit the Indian automakers in multiple ways,” said Mehta. He mentioned that factors like skill development, interest rate reforms, scrappage policy, infrastructure development, business-friendly government policies and lower GST rates will benefit the CV industry. The other factor that will help the economy, according to Mehta, is the rural economy uptick. He remarked, “Currently, in the rural areas of India, it is mainly agriculture that accounts for 17 per cent of the GDP and employs over 50 per cent of the population. The rise in rural demand will drive growth in the LCV segment.” Digitisation Of the opinion that the agriculture sector appears to have been relatively less impacted by the lockdown, sustaining the demand for tractors thus, Mehta expressed that it is the rural economy that will play a pivotal role in the growth of Indian economy and the auto industry. Rural India

has two-third the country’s population. The 70 per cent rural workforce generates 46 per cent of the national income. With many transport companies adopting a huband-spoke model that enables long-haul CVs to re-distribute their load to LCVs, helping them to reach villages faster, fleets are significantly changing their ways of working. Closely following such and other trends emerging, JAI is investing in digitisation to ensure better efficiency and ease of doing business. Through ERP upgradation, it is looking at standardisation and unified view of operations. It is looking at offering better stock visibility, and to achieve better end-toend material planning. Looking at efficient scheduling of operations, the company is also working towards seamless flow of data that would enable it to track sales analysis and vehicles across the supply chain through geo maps, dealer portals and interactive dashboards, and management and MIS reports available at the click of a button.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

Industry Talk

DICV digital bulletin app.

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has introduced ‘DICV Bulletin’ app. Deepti Thore

fter making a major announcement regarding an entry into the used CV market and the good response received in the market for its BSVI CVs, DICV has introduced an app. called ‘DICV Bulletin’. An indication of a significant shift in the market towards contactless communication and business operating procedures, the app. is about an ability to leverage the power of the internet to interact with the customer, connect with him in the best possible manner and provide him and the other stakeholders

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Chulanga Perera, Chief Information Officer,

Satyakam Arya, CEO & Managing Director,

with the necessary information in the safe and effective way. Said to be tailored for the needs of the customers, the app. would enable DICV to share up-to-theminute information on a realtime basis. Expressed Satyakam Arya, CEO & Managing Director,

DICV, “The app. would help them to enhance their ability to communicate and carry forward their customer-centric initiatives without endangering the safety of their customers as well as the stakeholders involved.”

Industry Talk New milestone By exporting over 35,000 commercial vehicles and 150 million parts to more than 50 markets globally, DICV has achieved a new milestone. It has, in the process, added Malaysia to the list of its export destinations. Exporting ‘Completely Knocked Down (CKD)’ kits to Malaysia, the CV major has announced that its manufacturing operations at Oragadam, Chennai, are playing the role of an important international manufacturing hub within the Daimler Group. Exporting over 5500 CKD kits to South Africa, Kenya, Vietnam and Indonesia, the company, according to Shrikumar V Unnithan, DICV’s Head of International Business & Beyond Trucks, is continuing to export new products and parts with the help of 350 plus local suppliers. Having exported more than 32,000 trucks and 3,500 buses since 2013, DICV is instrumental in ensuring that other Daimler Group locations around the world are able to access high-quality Indian auto parts for the vehicles they make. A win-win situation, according to Unnithan, the company is driving

Enabling an instant twoway communication with its customers and stakeholders, including dealers and suppliers, the ‘DICV Bulletin’ app. was developed in-house by the DICV IT team in less than three months, according to Arya. Mentioned DICV CIO, Chulange Perera, that digitisation is the best way to improve business sentiment and efficiency. Providing stakeholders direct access to multimedia information on products, services

exports as one of its key strategic pillars on the road to long-term growth. A win-win solution, according to Unnithan, the export initiatives of DICV is providing the Indian supplier community access to Daimler Group’s global supply chains. Mentioned Satyakam Arya. DICV, that there is the only Daimler location worldwide that produces engines, transmissions, trucks and buses at the same site under four brands – BharatBenz, FUSO, Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner.

and business updates through the app., the CV major, according to Perera, is driving its customercentric initiatives effectively. Designed and developed to ensure a win-win relationship with its customers as well as the dealers and suppliers, DICV is confident of increasing its reach in the Indian market. Claimed to buck CV slowdown in the September 2020 quarter by announcing a sale of 2,817 units during the respective period as

compared to the sale of 2,672 units in the corresponding period last year, the CV major is providing the app. to its dealers, suppliers and select customers on Google Play and App store. It is doing so with the intention of gathering feedback and to eliminate any bugs that may have been left behind. DICV is looking at using the app. to enable its stakeholders to participate in surveys and polls and to give feedback to its business partners. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

international

GAZ Valdai Gaz will soon introduce the new Valdai truck in the Russian market.

amed after an upland region in the north-west of central Russia and about midway between Saint Petersburg and Moscow, spanning Leningrad, Novgorod, Tver, Pskov, and Smolensk Oblasts, the Valdai Hills is home to diverse flora and fauna. It attracts tourists and is home to historical cities of Ostashkov and Valday. Home to many fresh water lakes as well, which are fed by the melting glaciers from up north, the Valdai Hills are set to extend their name to yet another significant product from the GAZ stable. To make an appearance this autumn, the GAZ Valdai follows in the footstep of a similar

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Fedor Lapshin named truck that was produced from 2005 till 2015. A mediumclass flat bed truck with a GVW of five-tonnes, the early models were produced in association with MAZ. With the Minsk residents refusing to supply their GAZ type MAZ-5336 after the economic collapse of the late 1990s, GAZ took to develop its own cabin to fit on the chassis that it produced at Nizhny Novgorod. The cabin would later come to support the Gazelle line of light and medium-duty trucks because of their modern architecture. Showcased as a four-tonner in 1999 at the Moscow International Automobile Salon, the Valdai, beginning production in 2005,

turned out to be popular model with reversed front suspension, the introduction of new front and rear axles, low-profile tyres and a pneumatic braking system that was refined to include an ABS. Subject to an entire set of design modifications in terms of modernising it, the Valdai, with a low-loading height (1000 mm), comfortable suspension, an advanced braking system, and an economical diesel engine, sold in good numbers. If its choice of multiple engines (a diesel MMZ D-245.7, a gas (Steyr)-562, a Cummins 3.9 140 CIV and an IVECO-8143) over time made it popular, the Valdai also sprang an experimental version (GAZ43483) with a reinforced chassis

International (8.5-tonnes GVW) and a cabin designed for long-distance transport. Leading to the creation of a chassis for prospective models of small buses, the Valdai was replaced by the Gazon range of CVs in 2016. Not ready to give up, the new Valdai is set to further strengthen GAZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position in the Russian commercial vehicle market. It is all-new and has no connection whatsoever with the earlier Valdai whose name it borrows or the Gazon which followed. Unique about the new Valdai is the Chinese connection instead. The truck with a GVW of 6.7-tonnes will used cab from Foton. A look at the early images of the Valdai and its forward-control cabin has an uncanny resemblance to a Foton truck of similar GVW. Powered by a Cummins 2.8-litre diesel engine (sourced from China) mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the new Valdai will borrow some components or aggregates from the Gazon Next. If that would make it suitable for overloading, the new Valdai would be equipped with ESP, a powerful heating mechanism to help withstand the Russian winter, an air-conditioner as an option, and an engine pre-heater. The GVW of 6.7-tonnes would present the new Valdai with a payload capacity of about 3.7-tonnes. This would mean its effective positioning between the Gazelle Next (whose heavy version is specified at 4.6-tonnes GVW) and the Gazon Next (specified at 8.7-tonnes GVW). Aiming at a segment that is quite competitive with the domination of Asian CV brands like Hyundai, Fuso, Hino and Foton, the new Valdai has work cut out for itself. If it is ironic that the Fotonborrowed cabin looks inspired by the Renault Maxity, Nissan

Cabstar, Hyundai Mighty, the Valdai will offer with it a premise of a sturdy Russian machine that is hard to break. With GAZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s image and infrastructure in Russia, the new Valdai is all set to change the perception of the market that was until recently

dominated by a number of Asian brands. ........................................................................... CV is an associate member of the International Truck of the Year (IToY). As part of this association, the magazine provides exclusive articles, written especially by IToY jury members.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

international

Optare delivers Metrodecker EVs Optare PLC has delivered the first of 21 battery-electric Metrodecker EV double-deckers to First York. Deepti Thore

ollowing the successful launch of the EV Double Decker in London with Metroline, Optare PLC, an Ashok Leyland subsidiary, has delivered the first unit of its 21 battery-electric Metrodecker EV double-deckers to First York. These have been delivered 18 months after the launch of the

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

vehicle. The whole batch of buses expected to be delivered soon as part of 107 Metrodecker EV order Optare has received, the Metrodecker EVs are made and fully assembled at Optareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s factory in Sherburn, North Yorkshire, England. Employing more than 50 per cent of components supplied

by UK businesses, they would be carrying a new blue-based brand for the York park-andride network. Developed from the prototype by Optare in partnership with First York and the York City Council spanning a little over three years, the Metrodecker EVs are the first of their kind to enter service with

International First UK Bus since the operator announced its commitment to achieve an entirely zero-emission fleet by 2035. With the know-how, technology and experience to help cities to reduce emissions that are had from buses, Optare has been successfully developing sustainable solutions for public transport. Mentioned Vipin Sondhi, Managing Director and CEO, Ashok Leyland, that they are proud of the progress Optare has made. “The adoption of EV tech has been made easier and better,” he added. Of the opinion that Optare is leading the transformation to EV in the bus space, Sondi averred that the company would continue to be a key piece in Ashok Leyland’s overall strategy to be among the Top 10 CV makers globally.” Marking one of the biggest zero emission park and ride fleets in the UK, the metrodecker EV buses will operate on the York

Park & Ride network, starting with the Askham Bar corridor to the south-west of the city. Replacing existing diesel vehicles in the First Bus fleet, the Optare Metrodecker EVs will also help the operator to further expand its electric bus fleet to 33 buses. With an investment totalling 9.3 million pounds in 21 Metrodecker EV double-decker buses, First Bus is looking at saving 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions every year. This is calculated based on the average of 80,000 kms travelled annually, according to sources. Stressing on the impact of an EV fleet in reducing congestion, creating a cleaner air and supporting the local economy, Marc Bichtemann, Managing Director, First York, said, “This is an important stage in our shared ambition to expand sustainable transport in the city. We are determined to attract more customers to using

buses.” As part of the overall investment, First York has spent one million pounds to upgrade the charging infrastructure at its James Street depot including a new electricity sub-station. They have been supported with 2.7 million pounds of funding secured by City of York Council from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles(OLEV). Operating nearly 30 bus routes throughout the city of York and the surrounding area, First Bus already has in its electric fleet the Optare brand of buses. These include Optare’s first battery-electric buses, Versa EVs, which entered service on the York park-and-ride network in 2014. After adopting changes in battery technology, Optare first introduced the Metrodecker EV in 2016. The York team were the initial operators of the Metrodecker on a trial basis. The trial was successful and proved that the Metrodecker concept could work in practice.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

international They could work as a means of delivering zero-emission passenger loading to support further growth of the Park & Ride network. The York network was also the first to operate the Metrodecker EV bus after its electric drive upgrade in 2018. In fact, in 2018, the Optare Metrodecker EV was recognised by the CILT(Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics) for its contribution to Environmental Improvement at the CILT Awards ceremony. The Optare electric fleet including vehicles like Solo and Metrocity as well, apart from the Versa and Metrodecker, the operators in the UK are being presented with a good choice of vehicles to adopt them in the interest of zero-emission passenger loading. Looking upon as a perfect choice for reducing fuel costs and emissions, Optareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electric bus range offers regenerative braking to save energy loss during deceleration. Sending back this saved energy to the batteries that power the vehicle, the Optare bus fleet also comes with an EcoDrive management system, which allows driving styles to be monitored. It provides drivers with the information they need to achieve optimum efficiency in service. With recharging costs approximately three times less than that of a diesel equivalent vehicle, the Optare electric bus, sources mention, is more costeffective to operate than a diesel or hybrid equivalent. Having a lot of unique features that were created alongside the team at First York since its inception, the Metrodecker electric buses have the capacity to carry 98 passengers. The count has however been restricted for

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

some time due to the Covid-19 situation, which calls for the following of health guidelines, including social distancing. Optare Metrodecker EVs Optareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MetroDecker EV has won OEM of the Year (Bus/ Commercial Vehicle) at the prestigious 2020 Electric Vehicle Innovation & Excellence(EVIE) Awards as per the reports. Delivering a range of around 257 kms from one overnight charge depending upon the duty cycle and equipment options, the Metrodecker electric buses can operate on the network all day without recharging. Apart from having low floor vehicle

seats, these vehicles have exceptional standing capacity. Claimed to be the lightest double-deckers in their class, the Metrodeckers have a fully integral frame similar to the other vehicles in the Optare family. The standard length of the electric double-decker bus measuring around 10500 mm, width measuring around 2500 mm and height measuring around 4310 mm with two-door option, the Metrodecker doubledecker buses are available with 250kW full-electric driveline option. Supplied with a ZF AVE 130 hub motor axle, the buses could be also had in a 11100 mm one door form. Equipped

International

with maintenance-free lithium iron magnesium phosphate batteries with built-in electronic monitoring of key parameters, the Metrodecker double-decker electric buses feature a cooling system fully that has been integrated with a battery pack. Available in left-hand drive and right-hand drive option, the Metrodecker electric doubledecker buses have a 44 kW integrated on-board charger which connects to standard commercial three-phase AC supply. It takes approximately six hours of charging time from zero to full. Also provided with a 100 kW remote DC fast charger that delivers 88 kW with a charge time of approximately three hours, the buses are supplied with a cooling system fully integrated with the battery pack. The bus has a drive motor, charger and battery packs fitted to a demountable frame

and with the provision of fully electric heating. Fitted with a centralised, fully multiplexed electrical system for quick, easy fault finding through diagnostics facility, the Metrodecker is furnished with audio-visual next stop announcements, wi-fi and USB charging points. Its unique integral design increases fuel efficiency and reduces costs without compromising passenger comfort. All the third party electrical systems are accessed from a dedicated area on the lower deck. The ergonomic and spacious drivers cab is fitted with its own air conditioning ensuring the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comfort. All controls are within easy reach and in the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s line of sight, complying fully with ISO 16121. To maximise integrity and strength, the Metrodecker EV is fitted with single-piece front and rear GRP domes and three-part bumpers with easily replaceable

corner sections. Equipped with LED rear lamps and side marker lamps, the buses also have modular LED interior saloon lighting running continuously from front to rear on both sides of the upper and lower saloon for even light distribution. Each side is separately switched providing a dual level facility. Indirect LED lighting throughout also reduces glare and evokes a sense of warmth. The bus is also equipped with twin halogen, high-intensity front driving lamps. The halo entrance light and staircase panel lighting increase visibility for passengers boarding and alighting the vehicle. Handpoles curve from the seat backs to where they are integrated into the roof, accentuate the spacious upper deck. Driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s window is enabled with a dual sliding signalling window and the bus also has a wheelchair bay with backrest. Fitted with heavy

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // November 2020

flashback

Affair in O303 Padane

he 2000 Hindi movie, ‘Hadh Kardi Aapne’, features a Mercedes Benz O303 Padane coach. It appears as a part of the plot that has Govinda and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles. A romantic comedy film inspired by the Hollywood film, ‘Romance on the High Seas’, ‘Hadh Kardi Aapne’ shows Govinda and Mukerji romancing each other on a bud journey through the beautiful European countryside. Govinda is actually a detective, and hired by his friend, Sanjay (played by Nirmal Pandey) to keep an eye on his wife, played by Ritu Shivpuri. Sanjay fears that his wife is having an extramarital affair. Ironically, Shivpuri has also engaged Rani Mukerji to keep a check on her husband who she suspects has an extramarital affair too. Sharing the onscreen name with Shivpuri, Govinda mistakes Mukerji for her. He follows her relentlessly. The two fall in love only for the two to find

Commercial Vehicle November 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in

out that Mukerji is not Shivpuri. With no evidence to be found, the two part ways. Eventually, both the couple come to stay happily ever after! Making a brief appearance, the Mercedes Benz O303 Padane 12 m long bus, coach built by Italy-based Officine Padane, looks attractive and plush. Produced from 1974 to 1992, the bus was powered by a ‘Vee’ eight-cylinder 296 hp OM 442 Mercedes-Benz engine on a

Mercedes Benz O303 chassis. Of the integral body construction type, the bus was quite popular with coach operators during its time. Some 33,000 MercedesBenz O303s were built over eighteen-years, until a new model, the O404, superseded them. Equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, the bus features air suspension. Capable of seating 50+1 people, the bus had its engine positioned at the rear.

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Articles inside

Optare delivers Metrodecker EVs

Affair in O303 Padane

GAZ Valdai

Bus electrification