COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INDIA NOVEMBER 2021 by Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd

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

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In October 2021, domestic CV volumes are known to have witnessed growth backed by better freight availability and better freight rates. Here again, tippers, ICVs and MAVs have aided the volumes.

The Festive Momentum

trictly going by data, in relative comparison to the peaks of Navratri-Diwali festive season in the years gone by, Commercial Vehicle (CV) registrations are known to have disappointed. To be fair, and without taking away from the Monthover-Month (MoM) improvement on the road to recovery, the concern is in retrospect, over the Navratri-Diwali season (from October 7, 2021, to November 04, 2021) in comparison to previous highs for the industry. The cumulative data ending this period is still awaited. However, as per the Vahan portal, the monthly overall vehicle registrations stood at 13.72 lakh in October 2021 compared to 14.50 lakh in October 2020 and 18.67 lakh in October 2019. In October 2021, domestic CV volumes are known to have witnessed growth backed by better freight availability and better freight rates. Here again, tippers, ICVs and MAVs have aided the volumes. Tractor volumes remained muted and degrew for manufacturers with a high base. Nearly two to three million e-way bills are generated per day and said to have scaled up near peak levels as another key indicator. Supplyside issues like muted rural sentiments and a high base due to inventory filling last year continue to impact growth. OEMs struggling with chip shortages could be negatively affected with dispatches likely to be impacted. Leaving aside the challenges, the industry found a reason to rejoice in unison as one big community cheering on Venu Srinivasan, Chairman of Sundaram-Clayton Group & Anand Gopal Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group for Trade & Industry as President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the two industry veterans with the Padma Bhushan. We begin the new month on a high note! Ashish Bhatia ashish@atashishbhatia.com a.bhatia@nextgenpublishing.net

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This Month In CV

NOVEMBER 2021

Cover story

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Green And Practical Omega Seiki Mobility unveiled the M1KA ahead of its commercial rollout. Sumesh Soman gives a lowdown on the green and practical small commercial vehicle.

 Ordnance Factory Board restructured  Gati Shakti for multimodal connectivity  Mass emission standards For E12 and

THE BOTTOMLINE Ashish Bhatia

 

NEWS  FADA Franchise Act  CII Logistics Compendium  Free Covid-19 vaccination for truck drivers Write to us at cvonline@nextgenpublishing.net with your feedback and suggestionsor visit us at www.commercialvehicle.in to catch the digital first content.

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E15 fuels Reflective tapes are now mandatory Union Government allocates e-buses for CTU Bus rates shoot up in festive season DICV appoints Abhinav Srivastava as CIO Kerala Tourism launches ‘Kerevan Kerala’ TATA motors bags an order of XPRES-T from Blusmart

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This Month In CV  VECV launches bus and sleeper    

Filling White Spaces: In an Industry Talk With CV session, Mahindra Group spoke heads speak on the strategy of filling whiteS Espaces. R VICE ANTEE O AR

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Volkswagen all-new Multivan: Volkswagen has unveiled an all-new multivan to replace the Caravelle. Team CV looks at the multi-faceted vehicle.

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A Signal Of Hope: As a platform for the mobility of the future, IAA mobility 2021 gave a signal of hope.

Volvo CE Stage IV compliant: Volvo CE launches a Stage IV compliant range.

coach range new eicher touch point in Bikaner Ashok Leyland J&K order PM Kisan Tractor Yojana 2021 Ecom Express expands processing capacity  Euler Motors launches new HiLoad EV  Honda subsidiary for battery swapping  FM Logistics announces new strategy  Piaggio 3W EV Mumbai experience centre  Green Energy Awards 2021  BorgWarner bags new order  ZF eWorX for CV PTOs  First Brazilian Volvo innovation concept

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International Police Expo 2021: The sixth edition of the International Police Expo 2021 highlighted policing and security equipment.

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Continental Tech Talks: Continental Automotive held a virtual tech talk on automotive software.

Step 1 : Open the Camera app or a QR Code scanning app Step 2 : Hold your device steady for 2-3 seconds pointing towards the adjoining QR Code Step 3 : A notification with a url will appear Step 4 : Click to visit the content as shown on the right hand side. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

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FADA Franchise Act The Federation of Automotive Dealers Association (FADA) recently released a policy brief to introduce the Auto Dealers Protection Act in India. Including MAN Trucks exit in 2018, five Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) exited from the market on the whole. It is said that these OEMs by stalling domestic sales, exited a large and untapped market. This is known to have adversely impacted consumer interest leaving them with no avenue for after sales services. Add to it the resale value of such vehicles are said to have nose dived. This in turn has caused undue burden on the dealerships expected to step in to save their customer relationships. Such unilateral OEM decisions are also said to burden the dealers with a barrage of customer complaints. The predominantly small and medium enterprises, have alleged that the community has lower bargaining power in comparison to the OEMS that are large corporations in comparison. The community is contesting the existing laws to protect their interest. Commenting on the same,

CII Logistics Compendium In an endeavour to accelerate growth in the logistics industry, the Department of Commerce and through various trade bodies conducted consultations by the Confederation of indian industry (cII). Known to be very helpful for all the State and UT Governments in accomplishing Atma Nirbhar Bharat mission, the compendium document highlights the salient features of various state governments policies and the scope for improvement. According to a foreword by Amrit Lal Meena, Additional Secretary - Logistics, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of

India, it is expected that the state governments will find this compendium as a valuable handbook to help policy makers understand best practices and develop a unified vision. The recommendations can be a tool to help benchmark current policies and include them in revisions. States that are currently in the process of formulating logistics policies can evaluate the recommendations for inclusion in upcoming policies. The comprehensive document looks at India’s economy and role of logistics, regulatory landscape for warehousing and transportation among other issues.

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

FADA President Vinkesh Gulati said, “Many countries in the world recognise the inherent power imbalance between OEMs and Dealers within the automobile sector and have enacted legislation for a level playing field. Unfortunately, the existing legal regime in India is inadequate to address these specific concerns of dealers.” “While OEM-Dealer agreements are governed under the Indian Contract Act, the law does not contain any clear solutions for us,” he stated.

Free Covid-19 vaccination for truck drivers Commemorating 75 years of India’s history, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), undertook multiple activities as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebration. As part of it, a free Covid-19 vaccination drive was carried out at the Centralized Parking Plaza (CPP) for container truck drivers in collaboration with the ‘Save Life Foundation’ and ‘Enrich Lives Foundation’. Commenting on the launch of the drive, Sanjay Sethi, Chairman, JNPT, said, “Truck drivers have been an integral part of the maritime supply chain. Throughout the pandemic, JNPT has undertaken several measures to combat Covid-19 from the frontline, ensuring a robust EXIM trade by extending support to every element of the supply chain.” “This vaccination drive for truck drivers is one such important initiative under that. Besides this our tech-enabled CPP, equipped with a dormitory, canteen, hygienic toilets, vehicle repairs, and maintenance amenities, is dedicated to extending every possible assistance to truck drivers,” he informed.

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Ordnance Factory Board Restructured The Government of India (GoI) has formed seven new companies out of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). Aimed at enhancing the functional autonomy, efficiency and to unleash new growth potential and innovation, the GoI had decided to convert OFB from a government department into seven 100 per cent government-owned corporate entities as a measure to improve self-reliance in the defence preparedness of the country. Munitions India

Ltd. (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd. (AVANI), Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd. (AWE India), Troop Comforts Ltd. (TCL) (Troop Comfort Items), Yantra India Ltd. (YIL), India Optel Ltd. (IOL) and Gliders India Ltd. (GIL). These companies are known to have commenced business from October 01, 2021. Citing an increase of 325 per cent in defence exports over the last five years, PM Narendra Modi lauded the industry for making competitive costing

Gati Shakti For Multimodal Connectivity

The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan is said to have the potential to propel India’s self-confidence towards the government’s resolve of self-reliance. Aimed at building momentum for the next generation infrastructure and multimodal connectivity, the master plan is expected to give an impetus to the government policies related to infrastructure, all the way from planning to execution. Through the Gati Shakti National Plan, one can look forward to accurate information and guidance for the completion of the government’s projects within the stipulated time-frame. Under the plan, verticals like roads and agriculture, various ministries and departments would be linked. A technology platform will make the information on every mega projects available in a bid to boost transparency.

the nations’ strength. He urged the industry to make quality and reliability the country’s new identity. He also urged startups to come forward. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the GoI resolve to transform Ordnance Factories into productive, and profitable assets; improve expertise in product range; increase competitiveness; improve quality; enhance cost-efficiency and ensure self-reliance in defence preparedness.

Mass Emission Standards For E12 and E15 fuels The compatibility of the ethanol blend of E12 or E15 or E20 or E85 or E100 shall be defined by the vehicle manufacturer and the same shall be displayed on the vehicle by putting a clearly visible sticker. For the bi-fuel vehicles, the reference gasoline fuel shall be as per E5 or E10 or E12 or E15 as declared by the manufacturer during approval. The compatibility of the ethanol blend of E12 or E15 or E20 or E85 or E100 shall be defined by the vehicle manufacturer and the same shall be displayed in the vehicle by putting a clearly visible sticker. For the bifuel vehicles, the reference gasoline fuel shall be as per E5 or E10 or E12 or E15 as declared by the manufacturer during approval. As per rule 115-L, the newly manufactured gasoline vehicles fitted with spark ignition engine compatible to run on ethanol gasoline blends of E12 and E15 shall be type approved as per prevailing gasoline emission norms. The compatibility of the vehicle to the level of ethanol blend of E12 and E15 shall be defined by the vehicle manufacturer and the same shall be displayed on the vehicle by putting a clearly visible sticker. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

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Reflective tapes are now mandatory Often, commercial vehicles do not have a standard quality of reflective tapes, which affects visibility and elevates road fatalities in extreme conditions like in poor visibility, night rides, and heavy monsoons. To avoid catastrophes, Madhya Pradesh Transport Commissioner has issued instructions to all state RTO’s to mandate the use of standard quality Retrospective tapes. The quality of Retrospective tapes should follow Automotive Industry Standards(AIS) norms. the process is digitised by the department and a SOP has been initiated. Also manufacturing of these reflective tapes are

handed over to experienced manufacturers, approved by authorised agencies which follows the rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 registered by the transport department. By doing this high quality of reflective tapes will be used. “The certificate of reflector tape installed on the vehicle by the authorised dealers of the manufacturers will be generated and printed through the portal itself. On the certificate, detailed information of the reflector tape installed on the vehicle such as length, width, colour, year of manufacture of the tape, code, manufacturer, name of the vehicle and details

Union Government allocates e-buses for CTU Government of India (GOI) approved 40 electric buses for Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU). The e-buses are expected to be inducted in the fleet by the end of the calendar year. Claimed to be assigned in response to the request made by Banwari Lal Purohit, Governor of Punjab, the directives were given when the sub-committee on transportation concerns of the UT administrator’s advisory council presented its action taken report. The report stated, “In

respect to e-buses, an agreement has been made with manufacturer Ashok Leyland Ltd. for the procurement of the first of the 40 e-buses on Gross Cost Contract (GCC) basis under the FAME II scheme.” “The trial has been successfully completed in city conditions. 19 buses are proposed to be delivered by November 15 and the next by December 30, 2021,” he added. By 2027-2028, the plan is to replace all 358 diesel buses in Chandigarh with e-buses.

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

of the vehicle like vehicle registration number, chassis number, engine number, vehicle category, body type of vehicle will be mentioned,” said transport commissioner Mukesh Jain. The certificate offered will be available online, and a QR can be scanned while verifying details. Further if the fleet owners fail to follow the rule, a fitness certificate of the vehicle will not be issued, “Before issuing the fitness certificate of the vehicle, it will be mandatory for the concerned RTO to verify the reflector tape of rear marking plate fixation certificate through the portal. Only after that the fitness certificate can be issued,” concluded Jain.

Bus rates shoot up in festive season Public and private bus operators hiked bus rates leading into the festive season across cities like Odisha, Pune and Bengaluru. They have done so due to the high fuel prices. In Pune, private bus as well as cab operators have increased fares upto 15 per cent effective from November 01, 2021. Similarly, the state-owned Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has increased fares by 17 per cent on all routes. The fares of Shivneri AC buses plying between Mumbai and Pune have also increased by a large margin. The luxury buses plying between Bengaluru and Hyderabad have also doubled their ticket fares.

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DICV appoints Abhinav Srivastava as CIO Daimler India Commercial Vehicles(DICV) has appointed Abhinav Srivastava as Chief Information Officer(CIO). Moving on from his position of Head-IT & Digital Transformation, Data & Analytics, Intelligent Automation at Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., Srivastava in his new role at DICV will be at the forefront of digital transformation initiatives and manage IT for the welfare of the business. As per the company statement, his expertise in digital transformation, Shared Services, IT-related strategic planning, driving new-age technology and aligning digital strategies makes him a right fit for the company. An MBA degree holder from ICFAI Business School and a Bachelors in Engineering, Uttar Pradesh Technical University, Srivastava has also worked with companies like PwC India, Marsh & McLennan Companies, and Wipro in the past.

Kerala Tourism launches ‘Kerevan Kerala’

DICV launched a Caravan called ‘Kerevan Kerala’.The inauguration was presided by Kerala Tourism Minister, P. A. Mohammed Riyas and Transport Minister, Antony Raju, and other senior dignitaries from the state government. With body work done by JCBL Ltd., the new Caravan is based on the Bharatbenz 1017 chassis and is available in two variants, which accommodates two-four passengers. It offers amenities such as recliner seats, a television, kitchen area with all necessary appliances and storage for tableware. Commenting on the new launch, Rajaram Krishnamurthy, Vice President, Marketing, DICV said, “The pandemic has fundamentally transformed the trend and approach to our travel habits. The ‘Keravan Caravan’ epitomises absolute luxury and unparalleled comfort. We are thrilled to witness the gradual revival of the tourism industry and welcome the new investor-friendly tourism policy.” Caravan was launched at Autobahn Trucking Dealership, Trivandrum. ther states like maharashtra have also taken to the caravans (motorhomes) to boost tourism.

TATA motors bags order for XPRES-T from BluSmart Tata motors will supply 3500 XPRES-T electric vehicles to BluSmart. Tata motors signed a MoU with the startup for expanding the electric fleet across the region of Delhi-NCR. Based on the contract, Ramesh Dorairajan, Tata Motors, said, “We are delighted to partner with Blusmart Mobility and we are thankful to them for continued efforts in growing their electric fleet in Delhi-NCR.” Speaking of developing XPRES-T for the commercial purpose, he pointed, “The XPRES-T EV comes with an optimal battery size, captive fast charging solutions, which will ensure outstandingly low cost of ownership in addition to safety and passenger comfort, making it a comprehensive and attractive proposition for fleet owners and operators.” Commenting on the partnership with Tata motors, Anmol Jaggi, Chief Executive Officer, Blusmart, said, “With our recent Series A funding of USD 25 million, we at BluSmart Mobility are well capitalised and expanding steadily into the Delhi NCR market. Tata Motors has

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

been a great partner for a young startup like us and has supported our growth momentum significantly in times of a global supply chain crisis.” This partnership with Tata Motors reinforces our belief in our electric journey and gears us well to achieve bigger scales at a much faster pace,” he mentioned. XPRES-T are electric vehicles offered in two variants which offer 165kms of range with 16.5kWh motor and the latter offers 213kms of range coupled with 21.5kWh motor.

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VECV launches bus and sleeper coach range new Eicher touch point in Bikaner

VE Commercial vehicles (VECV) has launched an all-new Coach and Sleeper bus range. Designed and developed in Volvo Buses India’s factory in Hosakote, the new range is built upon a high performance front engine Eicher 6016 R LPO 12.4 m chassis. Setting a new benchmark with its future ready design and luxurious interiors, the

fully air-conditioned coach seats 43 passengers with best-in-class 11.3 cu.m luggage space and the sleeper version offers 30 luxurious berths with 6.5 cu.m of luggage space. The new range is supported by Eicher buses pan-India service network with over 500 touch points which offer a one-stop-shop for both chassis and body service requirements.

Ashok Leyland J&K order

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

VE Commercial Vehicles, has inaugurated a new dealership at IGC RICCO Khara, Bikaner, Rajasthan. vecv, is claimed to have trained all the manpower under its competency development centres. This facility has the potential to service 200 vehicles in a month. Commenting on the new dealership, Vinod Aggarwal, MD & Chief Executive Officer, VECV, said, “Eicher Trucks and Buses has been constantly strengthening its service and parts network base in Rajasthan to ensure the maximum advantage of a technologically advanced BSVI range of trucks and buses.” “Misri Auto Services Pvt. Ltd. is well equipped to meet the growing demand in Bikaner and its surrounding region and deliver vehicle uptime for our Eicher customers,” he added.

Ashok Leyland Ltd. handed over 500 units of ‘Dost’ to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) under the commitment based on the administration ‘Project Mumkin’. This initiative is claimed to have helped make progress and transform socio-economic development besides helping to boost entrepreneurship among the youth. Commenting on the handover, Managing Director, Vipin Sondhi, Ashok Leyland Ltd. said, “Education and technology are necessary pillars for the fabric of the economy and society, and once combined together, one can dream and achieve anything.”

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PM Kisan Tractor Yojana 2021 To aid Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) financially for buying new tractors by offering 25-50 per cent subsidy, the Central Government of India has launched a PM Kisan Tractor Yojana. The online registration for the same has been started on pmkisan.gov.in and pmkisan.nic.in. Farmers who have not purchased any tractors in the past seven years are eligible for the scheme and to avail the benefits they need to provide their copy and

original of Aadhaar card, Voter Card, Ration Card or Driving Licence along with land papers, bank account passbook, Pan card, two passport size photographs. For the farmers to be eligible for the scheme they should have a piece of land in his/her name. The subsidy can be Subsidised only on one tractor by only one member from a family and it can only be availed once. There are also state-wise websites available for registration.

Ecom Express expands processing capacity The end-to-end logistics solutions provider for the e-commerce industry, Ecom Express has expanded its Hub and Processing area to over 2.8 million sq. ft. The expansion will enable processing capacity of over three million parcels per day. Along with Hub and Processing centres, the company has added fulfilment and delivery Centres across major facilities in India. With the addition of

100 new delivery centres across India it’s total count of delivery centres becomes 3000 further expanding its reach to cover over 27100 pin codes of the nation. It also plans to invest in automation centres ahead of the festive season across the country in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bilaspur-NCR, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Surat, Vijayawada, Guwahati, and other major locations.

Honda subsidiary for battery swapping Honda Global is acting on battery swapping as a solution aimed at e-rickshaws. The company hopes to commence services in the first half of 2022. It will deploy the Honda Mobile Power Pack expected to address major challenges like short range, long charging time and high cost of batteries. It will make use of a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can store a considerable quantity of energy, more than 1.3kWh, which is an improvement over the previous MPP version and has a charging time of approximately five hours. The company will establish a local subsidiary company in India for the business. It is claimed to have collaborated with electric three-wheeler manufacturers to launch and pilot the service in a few cities ahead of a Pan India launch. Commenting on the setup, Minoru Kato, Chief Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. said, “Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) has huge potential to electrify all kinds of devices including small-sized mobility products and expand the use of renewable energy.”

Euler Motors launches new HiLoad EV Euler Motors has launched the new HiLoad EV for Rs 3.5 lakh. There are two variants on offer, HiLoad DV and PV and the difference between the two are in power and range. The vehicle houses a three phase induction motor powered by IP67 72 V lithium ion battery with a 12.4 kWh capacity that puts out 88 Nm of torque, DV puts out 14 bhp of power and PV makes about nine bhp of power. Other minor differences between the two variants include the range

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

and weight. The DV is claimed to give out a range of 150 km on a full charge and 129 km for PV. The DV weighs 688 kg and PV tips the scales at 655 kg. The company claims a maximum speed of 42 kmph and a full charge in 3.5-4 hours. The Euler

HiLoad is claimed to deliver 50 km in 15 minutes of charging time. Notable features include projector headlamps, one foot water wading capability, regenerative braking, battery thermal management system, disc brakes, GPS tracking, geo fencing, DC fast charging, driver monitoring to name a few. The vehicle is 3400 mm long, 1460 mm wide with a ground clearance of 300 mm and a turning radius of 3.5 m. It runs on 12-inch tubeless tyres.

Bulletin

FM Logistics announces new strategy FM Logistics has announced its new strategy ‘Powering 2030’. It plans to double its revenue to Euro 3 billion by 2030 from Euro 1.4 billion as a part of the strategy which is centred on omnichannel supply chain services, urban logistics, sustainability, distribution and customer experience. It also targets to achieve a yearly growth of 35-40 per cent by the year end. After witnessing an increase of 20 per cent in its warehousing footprint, company is now looking at achieving carbon neutrality for its warehousing operations by 2030. It has already recorded 58 per cent growth in turnover during the first half of FY 202122. Talking about the strategy FM Logistic CEO, Jean-Christophe Machet mentioned,”FM Logistic has a comprehensive strategy to drive profitable growth. In a time of rapid change, our priority is to help our customers build sustainable omnichannel supply chains.” With a focus on sustainable development, FM Logistic’s sustainability

strategy revolves around three priorities including employee wellbeing, the environment and eco-efficient services. “We are focussed on developing Grade A Multi-client Facilities (MCFs), dedicated warehouses near our customers, manufacturing centers, and modern urban logistic hubs - all interconnected with an agile and dense transportation and last mile delivery network,” mentioned Alexandre Amine SOUFIANI, MD, FM Logistic India. The company is also strengthening its value added services like copacking, automated labelling and last stage customisation for digital marketplace readiness.

Green Energy Awards 2021

Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) hosted its third edition of India Green Energy Award 2021. The ceremony brought together small, medium and large players and recognised their efforts towards green initiatives. Aiming at accelerating the vision of moving forward to a greener world, the ceremony was held on October 20, 2021. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India was the chief guest of the ceremony and the event took place at his official residence in the presence of Bhagwanth Khuba, Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Repos IoT bagged an award under the category of Outstanding Renewable Energy Equipment Manufacturing & Technology Developers - Biofuel/Biomass and TVS Motor Company was honoured with the award under the category ‘Outstanding Renewable Energy User’. TVS has been acknowledged for its outstanding efforts to promote use of alternative power sources in renewable energy to ensure long-term energy security and stability.

Piaggio 3W EV Mumbai experience centre Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd inaugurated its first three-wheeler EV experience centre, AV Motors in Mumbai. The dealership was inaugurated by Member of Parliament, Gajanan Kirtikar and Sachinkumar Giri – Deputy Transport Commissioner Maharashtra. This first of its kind experience centre in Maharashtra will showcase complete Apé Electrik range of vehicles including the Apé E-Xtra, the electric cargo and Apé E-City, the passenger

brand. Gajanan Kirtikar, Member of Parliament said, “It gives me immense pleasure to be here today to inaugurate Maharashtra’s first Electric three-wheeler Experience centre of Piaggio vehicles Pvt. Ltd. The primary objective of Maharashtra EV Policy 2021 is to accelerate adoption of BEVs in the state so that they contribute to 10 percent of new vehicle registrations by 2025. We are doing our best to provide ease of doing business facilities to

automakers like Piaggio and we are proud that Piaggio is making this high-tech vehicles in our state at their production facility in Baramati.” The new Apé E-Xtra FX comes with 9.5 Kw power output. It comes with a full metal body architecture fitted with a 6 ft. cargo deck length. It is also customisable for applications like the delivery van, garbage collector etc. The passenger vehicle, Apé E-City FX is claimed to have superior features and a comfortable ride. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Bulletin | INTERNATIONAL

Borgwarner bags new order Borgwarner inc has received an order from a major German OEM to supply HVH250 (High Voltage Hairpin) electric motor. Borgwarner will provide two HVH motors per axle for the heavy duty truck model with power of 175 kW and 425 Nm of torque density at 350 volts. Speaking of offering electric drive technology for the battery-electric truck for heavy-duty transport, Stefan Demmerle, President and General Manager, BorgWarner PowerDrive Systems said, “Our proven HVH250 motor delivers the

power and durability required for this demanding application.” Not only is the motor helping customers electrify their trucks by meeting 95 per cent efficiency, but it also provides them

ZF eWorX for CV PTOs

ZF Friedrichshafen AG has added a new product family, eWorX to enable emission-free Commercial Vehicle(CV) Power Take-Offs (PTOs). Offered for effectively electrifying CVs, the all-in-one solution supports vehicle and body manufacturers with their transformation to electric vehicles. The product also significantly reduces noise, facilitating its use in cities and residential areas in particular. The core of this next-generation solution is the modular ZF eCubE which

comprises power electronics, a control unit and software packages custom-made to suit the application. It links the vehicle battery and the modular electric ZF ePTO, which in turn drives the equipment. “With eWorX, we have simplified the integration of equipment into new platforms and are providing the market with a new standard interface for the operation of work bodies,” commented Kleber Vinhas – Vice President - Head of Commercial Vehicle Powertrain Modules.

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

with a broad portfolio of technologies for electric vehicles, including drive modules, battery packs, power electronics, high voltage battery and cabin heaters, fuel cell air supply systems and more. It’s key features include HVH stator winding technology along with the choice of direct drive, chain drive, belt drive or integrated options. Offered as fully housed or as rotor/stator assemblies, the motor is equipped with an internal permanent magnet rotor and proprietary insulation system for added durability.

First Brazilian Volvo innovation concept truck Volvo has developed a new efficiency concept truck, Volvo FH 6x4 rodotrem, equipped with innovative technology. Built by the Brazilian and worldwide engineering of the brand, this project is a joint collaboration between Randon, Hyva, and Continental offering unique and new innovations in the implement, hydraulic system, and tyres, respectively. “This truck is a laboratory on wheels, where we are going to test technologies that will come to series vehicles in the future. This is the first concept truck built in Brazil, for the reality of transport we have here”, said Fabrício Todeschini, Director of vehicle engineering at Volvo in Brazil. “The set as a whole was designed to ensure lower diesel consumption, increase availability and provide more safety in operation,” explains Juliane Tosin, Volvo engineering project manager. The company is testing several new concepts, both on the tractor and on the implement witnessing improvements in the engine, aerodynamics, energy management and much more. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

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Product Launch | Construction Equipment

Volvo CE Stage IV Compliant Volvo CE has turned Stage IV compliant. Sumesh Soman checks on the overall claims of performance, versatility and reliability.

Managing Director, Volvo olvo Construction Construction Equipment India Equipment (CE) Pvt. Ltd. stated, “We want to India Pvt. Ltd. be a dependable partner for has launched a Indian contractors. We are stage IV compliant range. delighted to present these The new range comprises brand-new machines that of pneumatic rollers, Dimitrov Krishnan, offer tremendous scope in wheel loaders, pavers and MD, Volvo Construction terms of overall performance, compactors for the Indian Equipment India Pvt. Ltd. versatility and reliability.” The market. Claimed to offer company launched the new PT220C best in class performance, the new pneumatic roller and the L90H and range has been built keeping in mind L120H wheel loaders. The new paver Indian duty cycles. Dimitrov Krishnan,

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

fleet includes P4370D ABG wheeled paver, P5320D ABG, P7920D ABG and P8820D ABG tracked paver. The new compactor range includes the single drum SD110C compactor and double drum DD90C and DD100C compactors. Pneumatic Roller The PT220C measures 5060 mm long, 2270 mm wide and 3430 mm tall. It is a 10.5-tonne pneumatic roller with a two-speed, and maintenance-

Product Launch | Construction Equipment free, hydrostatic transmission mated to a 97.6 hp (99 bhp) engine running on four wide front and rear tyres overlapped by 50 mm to provide a fullwidth coverage. It has a pressurised, rust-proof 550-litre Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) water system that provides an adjustable flow rate to meet the operator needs and to help eliminate material build-up on the tyre surface. It also aids in maintaining mat surface temperature and reducing water refills. When it comes to operator comfort, the vehicle offers a sliding console, operator seatbelt and seat presence indicator, suspension on both seats and a USB charger. Tyre contact can be optimised by the adjusted tyre pressure, managed from the central point. It helps achieve target compaction in fewer passes.

pNEUMATIC rOLLER PT220C Parameters Weight Drum width

specifications 10.5-tonne 1980 mm

Rated engine power Length Width Height

74 kW 5060 mm 2270 mm 3430 mm

wHEEL LOADER RANGE

Parameters Static tipping load at full turn Bucket capacity Log grapples Operating weight Breakout force Engine Max power

L90H specs 9.7-tonne

L120H specs 12.3-tonne

2.8 m3 1.1-2.4 m2 14.5-17.3-tonne 137.7 kN D6J 137 kW

3.6 m3 same 18.5-21.6-tonne 173.5 kN D8J 203 kW

Wheel Loaders The Volvo L90H is claimed to offer three per cent more tipping load and 73 mm greater lifting height. It also provides the optional lock-up function. At the heart of the L90H is a Volvo D6J engine that makes 181.4 hp (184 bhp) power at 1700 rpm. It can attain a top speed of 50 kmph. The L90H can hold up to 9.7-tonne of static tipping load at full turn

The PT220C’s engine makes a power of 74 kW and has a drum width of 1980 mm. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Product Launch | Construction Equipment and has an operating weight of 14.5-17.3-tonne. Equipped with the Torque Parallel (TP) linkage, it keeps the attachments parallel throughout the lifting range along with offering high breakout and lifting force. The company claims that the vehicle is frugal courtesy the ‘Eco’ pedal and the new optional lockup function. The lock-up feature eliminates losses in the torque converter by creating a direct drive between the engine and transmission. A rimpull feature is available that can reduce tyre wear and prevent wheel spin for effective bucket filling. The operator can select the optimum rimpull to match the application and ground conditions. On the safety front, the L90H features anti-slip steps and strategically placed handrails for ease of access. It offers an array of seat belt options, such as the orange three-point seat belt. The new attachment bracket uses a visual indicator to let you know the attachment is locked and ready for use.

L90H houses a D6J engine that can churn out 137 kW of power.

The operator can adjust the detente third function, boom kick-out, return to dig and bucket levelling, all from easy access points within the cabin. There is an onboard application that helps the operator with real-time guidance along with a map and toolbox to convert and calculate numbers and units. There is an optional rearview camera and radar detect system which is now integrated within the Volvo co-pilot display. The L120H, deemed as the elder sibling of the 90H in the H-family has a static tipping load of 12.3-tonne at full turn

the P8820D ABG tracked paver.

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

and an operational weight of 18.5-21.6-tonne. The L120h is powered by a Volvo D8J engine that makes 268.2 hp (272 bhp) at 1500 rpm. It gets advanced features like OptiShift. It integrates the ‘Reverse By Braking’ function and the new torque converter with lock-up, creating a direct drive between the engine and transmission for improved cycle times and greater fuel efficiency, as claimed by the company. The eco pedal encourages economical operation, by applying a mechanical pushback force in response to excess use of the accelerator. The operator can also select from three hydraulic modes, according to the preferred responsiveness. To extend the life of the machine, the braking function slows the machine when the operator wants to change direction, by reducing engine rpm and automatically applying the service brakes, reducing stress on the drivetrain. The operator gets a gamut of features like Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), onboard weighing app and operator coaching to name a few. The ‘Volvo Active Care’ helps monitor the vehicle health remotely for

Product Launch | Construction Equipment

timely repairs and services. The paver range The Volvo P5320 ABG tracked paver is fully road homologated and tailor-made for the Indian market. It features a Stage IV compliant Volvo TAD 570VE engine, Omni V screed and an automatic track tensioner with an assurance on comfort and enhance visibility. The engine puts out 138 hp (140bhp) at 2300 rpm. The P5320 is 2.5 m wide with a maximum paving width of 7.5 m that can deliver an output of 600 t/h. It puts out a maximum layer thickness of 300 mm, and has a hopper capacity of about 12t and tips the scales at 13.8-tonne. The P4370D ABG wheeled paver is packed with a Stage IV compliant TAD 570VE Volvo engine that churns 138 hp (140bhp) at 2300rpm, Omni V screed and it is fully road homologated for Indian regulations. The paver boasts the EPM 2.5 for operator comfort and visibility. It is 2.5 metre wide with a maxim paving width of six metres and a paving output of 600 t/h. It put out a maximum layer

The Paver range Parameters P7920D Engine Volvo D6J Power 140 kW Width 2.5 m Paving width 10 m Paving output 700 t/h Hopper capacity 13.5 t Tractor weight 14.3-tonne thickness of 300 mm, has a hopper capacity of 12t weighing in at around 12.3-tonne. Taking its cues from the B-Series, the new P7920D ABG is powered by a CEV Stage IV compliant Volvo engine that puts out 184 hp (187 bhp) at 2,200 rpm. It features six standard LED lights, auger lighting, screed lighting two gearboxes – one each side – combined with a slim design. The settings manager is integrated within Electronic Paver Management (EPM3) that allows operators to store and retrieve customised settings for individual projects and adaptive ECO Mode to name a few. It is 2.548 m wide with a 10 m paving width and a 700 t/h paving output. With a 300 mm layer

P5320D TAD 570VE 105 kW 2.5 m 7.5 m 600 t/h 12 t 13.8-tonne

P4370D TAD 570VE 105 kW 2.5 m 6m 600 t/h 12 t 12.3-tonne

thickness, it has a 13.5 t hopper capacity and weighs 14.3-tonne. The Volvo P8820D offers a 13 m paving width, 14.7 t hopper capacity and Stage IV compliant D8J engine that puts out 268bhp at 2000 rpm. The P8820D ABG is a big machine for big jobs, the company claims. Featuring EPM3 functions such as a settings manager, six standard work lights and optional lighting kits, optional Smart Dock, optional Volvo Co-Pilot, Pave assist with digital tools including material manager, thermal profiling and weather view to name a few. With tracks measuring 325 mm wide and 3120 mm long, a weight of about 17.35-tonne, the P8820D is built for heavy lifting in a cinch.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Product Launch | Construction Equipment

DD90C works on an engine that puts out 55 kW. it weighs 8.7-tonne.

the compactor range The Volvo SD110C, created specifically for the Indian market is a single drum compactor with an engine that makes 97.64 hp (99 bhp) power and has a centrifugal force of 130/243 kN. It has a drum width of 2,314 mm and it tips the scales at 11.1-tonne. It comes with a Rollover Protection System (ROPS). It has a gradeability of 28 per cent and is manoeuvrable with +/- 40 degree of articulation and +/- 17 degree of oscillation. It can take on a variety of projects and applications., courtesy the variable frequency range from 0 to 30 Hertz enabling it to adapt to different types of soil and material along with 1-1.9 mm of amplitude for different material bed thickness. All the valuable information is relayed on a 4.3 inch display that includes travel speed, trip meter, total working hours, engine rpm and high coolant temperature indicator, service notifications as well as information regarding battery condition and DEF/fuel levels help to maximise uptime. The DD100C is the new-

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

compactor range parameters Operating weight Vibration frequency Engine power Amplitude Drum width

SD110C 11.1-tonne 0/30 hz 74 kW 1/1,9 mm 2,134 mm

generation 10-tonne double drum asphalt compactor from Volvo. It is 5,250 mm long, 2060 mm and 2,870 mm tall. It comes with a drum or rolling width of 1676 mm and an engine power of 98.63 hp (100 bhp). It also has the same 4.3 inch display with a control station which can be rotated 180 degree and locked in five different positions. It has a 42-30 hz vibration frequency and an amplitude of 0.4-1 mm. The DD90C is built on the success of its predecessor along with a host of upgrades combined with a 50 hz high frequency for fast rolling speeds. The machine is 4970 mm long, 1835 mm wide and 3050 mm tall. It offers chamfered drum edges and automatic vibration start, automatic spraying system for optimal water usage along

DD100C 10-tonne 43/30 hz 74 kW 0.4/1 mm 1676 mm

DD90C 8.7-tonne 36/50 hz 55 kW 0.36/1 mm 1676 mm

with the same 4.3-inch display as the DD100C. The engine makes 72 hp (73 bhp), has a rolling width of 1676 mm and it weighs 8.7-tonne. The amplitude range is 0.36-1 mm and a lowest 36 hz vibration frequency is a key highlight. Aftersales assurance Customers can choose from various services and package suited from the Volvo services agreement. This can be used for spare parts, custombuilt attachments, efficiency reports and maintenance support. Volvo CE India is banking on the frugality of its machines. It is confident of suiting the customer profile that prioritises frugality and maximum efficiency as pivots for decision making. With the new Stage IV compliant range, the company has done well to tick the boxes.

THE VOTE FOR

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Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

Industry Talk Filling White Spaces

In an Industry Talk With CV session, Jalaj Gupta, Business Head, Commercial Vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Dr Venkat Srinivas, Senior Vice President - Product Development Head, Commercial Vehicles - Mahindra Group spoke to Ashish Bhatia on the strategy of filling white spaces for growth Q. What are the opportunities you’re confident of tapping with the addition of the Furio 7 to the product portfolio? have you succeeded at filling the white spaces? A. Jalaj Gupta: If you look at the LCV segment, the TIV was about 36,000, about two years ago. And this year also we are anticipating the entire LCV TIV to be somewhere around the same range, maybe marginally a shade lower than 36,000. Now if you look at the sub-segments of the LCV segment, from three and a half tonne to seven and a half tonne (3.5-tonne to 7.5-tonne), MTBD is present in the 3.5-tonne to the six-tonne segment with the Jayo. That’s where we play. In the six- to 7.5-tonne sub-segment, which accounts for 50 per cent of the total LCV TIV, we didn’t exist there. So with the launch of this new LCV, the Furio 7 we are addressing this entire six to 7.5-tonne TIV. What it does to us is that it gives us a shot at addressing the entire TIV of

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Jalaj Gupta, Business Head, Commercial Vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Dr Venkat Srinivas, Senior Vice President - Product Development Head, Commercial Vehicles - Mahindra Group

Up till now, we were addressing 50 per cent of that TIV. This gives us the opportunity to take a crack at the remaining 50 per cent of the sales

were addressing 50 per cent of that TIV. This gives us the opportunity to take a crack at the remaining 50 per cent of the sales.

LCVs starting from 3.5-tonne to 7.5-tonne this. Up till now, we

Q. How are you filling the white spaces in the industry as a whole? A. Absolutely, besides increasing our addressability, I think this second factor is very important. When Furio as a brand as a platform was

Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

envisaged it proved to be a game-changer in the industry. So if you look at the new LCV, it is essentially an extension of the same platform. It’s the same Furio platform with which we are now addressing the LCV segment. So you can imagine the versatility of this particular platform that we are addressing. Spanning from six-tonne to 16-tonne with this particular platform as a permutation and combination of various aggregates, one, it increases the addressability and two, it brings the benefits of the Furio platform to the LCV segment. Dr Venkat: When we envisaged the Furio platform, we actually did not envisage a single platform, we envisaged it all the way from the lower end of the LCV platform all the way up to the ICV range and up to the medium commercial vehicles. So the platform architecture is actually capable of delivering products in that entire range. And as you know, we have launched two cabins. We’ve got a day cabin, and we’ve got a sleeper cabin, and that’s already been in the market for some time. That’s been launched in BSIV. And now with this Furio LCV launch, we are actually launching the third cabin, designed originally along with the other two to be extremely modular. Therefore the appearance, the aesthetics, the styling, everything was done together at that time. The chassis, the powertrain lineup,

BSVI migration did come as a surprise to the entire industry at that time. But everything was actually envisioned as an entire product portfolio made as modular as possible. Q. Do you expect platform modularity and consolidation to remain a strong approach globally with this launch as a backdrop? A. Jalaj Gupta: Yes, definitely. I think that’s always been the way to go. And particularly, in recent days and also past several years. When you see wild market shifts, you know, you suddenly see certain

When you see wild market shifts, you know, you suddenly see certain segments going up, and certain others coming down. clearly having the flexibility helps optimise investments. segments going up, and certain others coming down. clearly having the flexibility helps optimise investments. Trying to make these products on basically the same platform would continue to be a huge plus. And that’s what we are actually envisioned from the word go. Q. Please elaborate on the

emphasis on offering a double value proposition. What sort of a mammoth effort did it take to set new benchmarks? A. Dr Venkat: The mileage guarantee was something that as a company our management including several of us had come up with originally on the Blazo range. So, we had launched it at the 2016 Auto Expo, and this was a way of essentially as a challenger brand to announce that we had arrived. Not only with a better product, but that we stand entirely behind it in terms of the guarantee. With such a strong assurance in place, we found the customers to be very satisfied. While we assured mileage, we also changed the perception in the market. So, this has become a cornerstone of MTBD product portfolio and product strategy. When we launched the Furio ICV two to two and a half years ago, we said that we have to offer this kind of a guarantee then and similarly on the Furio 7 launched now. We work very hard to deliver on our promises backed by a lot of team effort. We chose everything including our powertrains and all our aggregates very carefully to ensure that we could deliver such a performance all the way from concept development to commencing production. It is not that we changed course in between but something that we set out to do with the Furio platform from the Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

very beginning. It was a very critical aspect as you might imagine. Things like putting weight only were required and at the right places, making sure aerodynamics and the overall design of the product is the best from a fuel economy standpoint and so on. Jalaj Gupta: In the BSVI range, the mileage guarantee with Furio is something that we have started with and you will see some more action happening on this particular front end in times to come. We did deep research into this particular category, and have concluded that the LCV customer, the operator is very, very risk-averse. So, basically, he wants just a tried and tested vehicle. He doesn’t want to experiment too much. And if you look at the competition around, there has been this legacy model which has carried on from last 20-30 years, I remember when I began my career from that time, the legacy models were available and for some reason or the other, the market has not

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

The particular category of LCV has not been upgraded and one of the primary reasons in our understanding is the customer being slightly risk-averse. upgraded the way it has for other categories. Whether you look at the HCV as a category or look at ICV as a category, the market has upgraded itself to the next level in terms of safety, comfort, and on many other fronts. The particular category of LCV has not been upgraded and one of the primary reasons in our understanding is the customer being slightly risk-averse. We wanted to deep dive as to what are the various apprehensions that the customer had. One of the big ones that came in was the resale price or the resale value that the customer will get when he goes to exchange

be it for a colour upgrade, fleet expansion or to upgrade for a higher payload carrying capability. If we can address that concern or that risk element also the uncertainty in the customer’s mind, it could be a good value proposition. For example, in the shape of offering a resale value guarantee after five years, which is usually when that truck gets exchanged. Not just that this resale value guarantee is even transferable. So let’s say, in three years, I was to sell you a truck here you still have two years to enjoy this resale value guarantee as a second owner. Q. Does the resale value assurance set at five years allow the first owner to realise the low TCO over the incurred, initial acquisition cost? A. Jalaj Gupta: Absolutely. So I’ll start with the warranty. If you look at the product, we are offering a three lakh unlimited kilometres warranty on the product. Typically if you see these products, the LCV typically does anything

Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

Even in the pandemic year, the LCV did not degrow, it remained almost the same as FY20. Whereas the ICV despite the severe lockdown in the first six months, when the inter-city movement was almost zero, the gap in Total Industry 04 Volume (TIV) shrunk only from 36,000 to 30,000. between 25,000-30,000 kilometres a year. Three years are very well covered with three lakh kilometres. So and the warranty that we are offering is an end to end warranty. It’s one of the best in the class warranty that’s one part of the question. To answer the second part of the question, the answer is yes. I will just give you one industry insight before I elaborate. Earlier, the LCV segment was very clearly demarcated for an intra-city operation and the ICV is where the intercity operation came into the picture. It was a kind of unsaid rule and one of the ways of testing it is to look at the driver’s cabin. For example, the sleeper cabin provision was provided only in the ICV range and never on the LCV range

because the ICV was always an intercity kind of operation. You are seeing these in a twin tyre, six tyre LCV segment to an extent. Therefore the number of kilometres on these vehicles has increased quite a bit. I will not be surprised if the recent LCV segment is doing much more than 30,000 kilometres a year or so. If you look at demand post-pandemic or even during pandemic most of the demand came from the e-commerce cargo of essentials like medicines and vaccines. The vehicles travelled not only inter-city but intra-city and more so in tier two, and tier three towns and so on and so forth. Even in the pandemic year, the LCV did not degrow, it remained almost the same as FY20. Right. Whereas the ICV despite the severe lockdown in the first six months, where the intercity movement was almost zero, that gap in Total Industry Volume (TIV) shrunk only from 36,000 to 30,000. That’s the kind of boom in terms of the requirement that we are witnessing in

*Mileage and resale value guarantee applicable for FURIO 7 Cargo and FURIO 7 HD Cargo only.

the I&LCV load segment which is unprecedented. It is now doubling up not only intra-city but also in intercity applications as well. So in terms of the usage and in terms of the rates that they’re able to get, including the special applications etc. It is making it viable for the customer to use it in five years and then go for upgrades too. Q. With this addition are you expecting a similar resilience as your previous offerings of the LCV segment? A. I’ll talk about ICV where we put 2000 Furios on the Indian roads. 30 per cent of it is the repeat buy which indicates that we have got the product part of it correctly. We have got the product acceptance and the product price absolutely right and I see no reason because the DNA of the platform remains the same in the LCV segment. I see no reason why the same acceptability and the repeat purchase will not be repeated. 65 per cent of the TIV or the customers Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

are single-vehicle owners or owners cum drivers So it will take a while for the word of mouth to spread. But one thing is for sure the way we are taking care of not only the financial part of it, which is the profitability or the mileage part of it, but we are also taking care of the driver comfort part of it. He’s the driver cum owner and it’s just a matter of time that I think, surely or steadily, we will be able to establish the product and scale up on the numbers. Q. What are the different duty cycles that you expect to cater to with the Furio 7? Is it a good fit for niche segments like special applications? A. It is designed to be very productivity-oriented. We’ve provided a very comfortable cabin with a very safe vehicle. Productivity has been enhanced as we’ve given all the right load body sizes that

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

R VIC

ANTEE O AR

EZ GUA HAR CHE

KE SAATH RANTEE

ANTEE O AR

a very very mixed range of goods very safely and securely.

EZ GUARAN HAR CHE

TH TEE KE SAA

A RE

With the concept of offering a fully-built truck, the day the vehicle reaches the customer, it is in an operation-ready state from day one. are required. So in terms of what can be carried, I think this can apply to all usage classifications. There are special usage vehicles as well that can be built, for example, a superstructure can be built on this. We’ve also made sure that Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) and ride quality is best in class. If somebody wants to carry eggs, for instance, or any kind of fragile material, they don’t necessarily have to look for anything fancy. We’ve offered a vehicle that is best in class, in terms of handling as well as NVH. So, it can carry

Q. Are fully-built trucks changing the dynamics from the supply-side and demandside perspective? A. I’ll set three distinct reasons here. The study of duty cycles, the abuse or the actual realworld usage conditions allowed us to design the product in a particular manner. Otherwise, the risk of just giving out a chassis to then let the customer customise it carries the risk of changes beyond the 13 permissible limits. The second reason would be from the customer perspective. Typically after the customer went through with a purchase, he or she gets the body built before putting the vehicle on-road. This used to take anything between one and a half to two months or an even longer gestation time depending on the order book at the bodybuilder, etc. With the concept of offering a fully-built truck, the day the vehicle reaches the customer, it is in an operationready state from day one. You buy the vehicle, the vehicle gets registered and the vehicle is on-road. So the customer stands to gain from one and a half to two months of additional revenue as a result of the time saved in getting the vehicle road fit. And third, both from the customer as well as from the company perspective, there is

Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

certain Goods and Services Tax (GST) benefits to gain as well on a fully built vehicle. I think with a combination of all these three, it makes sense to offer a fully built vehicle.

ATH TEE KE SA

GUAR AN HAR CHEEZ

Q. Was there a scope to refine the Furio platform since its inception despite a tough fiscal leading into the present generation launch? A. Dr Venkat: Yes we did. I think each vehicle and model is unique. So EE Oevery customer ANTis ANTEE O AR AR segment, and each and every customer.S We’re not going SP ER VICE A RES to compromise on that front. Let’s take the example of the ICV segment and the 16 Furio 14. We had a certain set of targets when it came to offering a certain payload range, handling, NVH, and so on and so forth. Here, when we went about the LCV range, we set targets for this segment deemed appropriate. These were far superior then what was offered in the market. Our typical target setting entails assessing the market direction and choosing where we want to be leaders, be it in attributes and so on. All it was done afresh. It was undertaken as a full project, even though the hardware and the platform were modular. It gave a clear direction to us in terms of placement of all the aggregates, and derivation of the hardware from an elder brother or an elder sister vehicle. However, the entire

ATH TEE KE SA

refinement project was unique. And it was to meet the specific requirements of this customer segment. Q. Contrary to lower variants being upgraded how did you tackle the project requiring a higher variant to be adapted into a lower segment? A. I think it’s something that’s pertinent. Normally, when we do a heavier vehicle, in this case, let’s say Furio 14 ICV and then we wanted to do a Furio 7, it requires an upfront approach. Else you risk coming out with a compromised product at the lower end of the portfolio. In our case, as I mentioned earlier, we envisioned the entire product line. So we had all these Lego pieces. Perhaps not detailed out in terms of design, but we knew which Lego piece was to go into which particular

model, and for which particular segment. The exercise is welldefined to design optimally for the target segment and not an over-designed, overweight product. Q. Do you find yourself in a good space for launches despite the threat of recurring waves not completely ruled out as of yet? A. Jalaj Gupta: On a lighter note, there is never a right time. The way we see it is that if you look post the second wave when the industry really hit hits rock bottom in MayJune 2021, there onwards every month the TIV and all the segments of the commercial vehicles have shown signs of improving Month on Month (MoM). This is strictly speaking on a sequential basis and not on last year’s base. So, MoM, we are seeing this particular Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

improvement on the rise. We are confident yes there is a threat of the third wave but we have come a long way on our vaccination drive too with the last milestone of 100 crore vaccinations. Even if let’s say a third wave was to come to the country it would be much more muted than let’s say what the impact we had in the second wave. We anticipate the second half of this financial year (H2FY2022) to be very robust in all the segments. With the boom in inter-city and intracity, light commercial vehicles, we really didn’t want With the boom in inter-city and intracity, light commercial vehicles, we really didn’t want to miss out. For instance, the demand

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

for e-commerce, poultry and various other applications where LCV makes a good case. To touch upon the special applications segment demand, there are government-approved special applications that are getting a big thrust. Like the fuel bowser. Today the concept is you don’t go to the fuel station, the fuel station will come to you in a doorstep service. Then there are reefers, mobile clinics making a strong case for LCVs. If you ask me, the number of potential applications which are opening up is huge at this point of time post Covid19 making it a good time for launches. If you’ve noticed we are going for a phase-

wise launch and not a pan India launch strategy. We have selected markets to first establish the product and prove its superiority of the product. Then open the market one by one so any which way it’s going to take us about six to eight months to penetrate the country making it an apt time for the launch. Q. How have you ensured a good after-sales experience be it through additional touchpoints, ensuring spare part availability, or offering on-road assistance? A. With the pandemic hitting us last year, one of the areas that took a hit for all the manufacturers

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is the supply-side challenges. Not just us as the manufacturer the challenges were extended to our suppliers whether it’s the tier1s or tier2s. Spare parts availa b i l i t y wa s a c h a l l e n g e fo r t h e e n t i re i n d u st r i a l u n i ve r s e. Th i n g s l o o ke d u p f ro m M a rc h 2 02 1 o nwa rd s a s t h e ava i l a b i l i t y i m p rove d . S p a re p a r t s ava i l a b i l i t y i s ve r y h e a l t hy. O u r b a c ko rd e r s a re a t a b s o l u te l y l ow l eve l s . We h ave s o m e t h i n g c a l l e d a p a r t s g u a ra n te e a s we l l . S o, w h a t we s ay i s t h a t t h e re i s a l i st o f p a r t s w h i c h a re c a l l e d t h e fa st m ov i n g p a r t s . I f t h ey a re n o t m a d e ava i l a b l e a t o u r

a u t h o r i s e d o u t l e t s , yo u w i l l g e t t h e p a r t s f re e o f co st . N ow, we co u l d d o that only if we can live that particular guarantee. Spare parts availability is, however, always a work in progress. Then there is a question on making it available even faster. Can you cut down, time spans for delivery under 24 hours further and so on. So it’s always a work in progress. On the second aspect of the service guarantee, there are various service guarantees which are put in place. But there is one particular thing that I would like to talk about. It is same-day delivery. So for a commercial vehicle owner, the same-day delivery of the

vehicle in the workshop is extremely important. Every extended day in the workshop translates to revenue loss for the end customer. Now, even during the pandemic and the first five months of this particular year, our same-day delivery success rate stood at 91 per cent. In effect, of every 100 trucks that come to our workshop, 91 per cent were delivered the same day. That’s a testimony of our spare parts availability and of the skill set levels of our workshop technicians at the dealership s . Fo r a co m m e rc i a l ve h i c l e , w e see to it that we offer a m i n i m a l t u r n a ro u n d t i m e to p u t t h e ve h i c l e b a c k o n road.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Cover STORY

Green And Practical

Omega Seiki Mobility unveiled the M1KA ahead of its commercial rollout. Sumesh Soman gives a lowdown on the green and practical small commercial vehicle.

mega Seiki Mobility (OSM) is the mobility arm of the Anglian Omega Network. Focussed on providing green and practical smart solutions for e-commerce, cargo and logistics companies, the company unveiled the M1KA ahead of its commercial rollout slated for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2021. Claimed to be the first electric Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV), it is engineered to capitalise on the current SOPs and favourable

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

market conditions, according to Uday Narang, Founder and Chairman, Omega Seiki Mobility. Speaking on the sidelines of the unveiling, Narang said, “The EV market is growing especially in the commercial vehicles segment on the back of cost-effectiveness, sustainable solutions and increasing support from the centre and the respective state governments. The current SOPs and favourable

environment motivate us to expand our EV offerings for our customers.” Thrilled at the prospects of the M1KA, team OSM, added Narang, “The next-generation electric commercial vehicle will further solidify our mission to attain net-zero carbon mobility solutions.” OSM M1KA In a transition to four-wheeler SCVs from its three-wheeler product offerings, OSM, as per Narang is confident of succeeding in its first attempt. The M1KA is not only claimed

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to be green from the tailpipe emissions perspective, it is also claimed to be a practical net-zero carbon mobility solution that is customisable in keeping with the customer requirements. With bookings expected to open in Q42021, buyers can book the M1KA with a token amount of Rs.2000. Delivery of the M1KA is expected to follow suit by the second to the third quarter of 2022 (Q2-Q32022). Tightlipped on the commercials, one expects the M1KA to launch at a ballpark price of Rs.15-16 lakh. Judging by the looks For a commercial vehicle, the M1KA looks quite flamboyant. The glossy dark blue shade shows off a good finish and a body paint job done well. The front apron houses trapezoidal

headlamps with LED Daylight Running Lamps (DRLs). It houses projector lenses along with LED turn indicators. The windscreen scale is generous

for the segment and offers a larger peripheral vision. This is expected to enhance on-road safety and offer a commanding stance to its pilot. One cannot

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Cover STORY miss the OSM chrome badging on the nose of the vehicle and the M1KA badging close to the right headlamp when viewed head-on. The M1KA badging extends to the doors five-spoke with attractive decals as well. The front bumper houses fog lamps expected to aid in poor visibility and strike a good balance between the mix of fibre and metal on the whole. Don’t miss the devil’s horn-like spikes on the cabin roof. The fibre is symmetrically extended from the front fascia to the side guards right up to the 10 ft. cargo deck rated for a payload capacity of two-tonne. Lending to the flamboyance and upmarket appeal, the M1KA comes as a breath of fresh air with mirrors painted in a shade of the body blue. Adding to the plush appeal are the twin five-spokes. Although one needs to wait for the production spec to see if they stick on in the fully-loaded variant when commercially rolled out. They are likely to get replaced by steel wheels on the production model and take away a share of the flamboyance with it. Suspension duties are carried out by six leaves (parabolic) on the front and a seven-leaf setup at the rear of the M1KA. Making way for easy ingress, the doors opened to a clean dash. The seveninch instrument cluster takes a central stance and comes loaded with Android auto and ~ 20 connected features. The feature list includes vehicle monitoring, geo-fencing, speed limiter among others to keep the vehicle and drivers in check at all times. The doors are fitted with knick-knacks like a bottle holder and a

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

osm m1ka Parameters

Specification

Motor Power

32 kW

Rated Torque

29 Nm

Peak Torque

347 Nm

Range

250 Km

Charging Time

Four hours (DC Fast Charging)

Transmission Efficiency

95 per cent

Motor Efficiency

95 per cent

Controller Efficiency

97 per cent

Motor Speed

10,500 rpm

Max Speed

100 kmph

Loading Capacity

Two-tonne

Mileage

10 kmpl

Tyre Radius

254 mm

Gradient

35 per cent (19 degrees)

Voltage

360 V

Unloaded Vehicle Weight 1.5-tonne GVW

3.5-tonne

conventional roll down the window. The plush seats with cushion for added comfort and a fatigue-free ride offer convenient storage space positioned right between the pilot and the helper. My only niggle with the vehicle would be the plastic quality used inside the door and dash which has room for improvement. Once the price points are released, one can judge the inclusions and exclusions more holistically. One hopes that the production specs are not

a drastic U-turn on the beta version we got our hands-on The Driveline At the heart of the M1KA is a 90 kWh NMC battery pack and an electric motor. The latter is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox that puts out 347 Nm of torque and a top speed of 100 kmph (without speed governor). Narang claimed the SCV can clock a 250 km range on a single charge with the vehicle capable of being fully charged in about four hours through a DC fast charging

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unit. Deb Mukherji, Managing Director, Omega Seiki Mobility mentioned, “With a focus on engineering and tech enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, OSM provides market-leading vehicles built on adaptable platforms, and use our own proprietary technology, providing customers with tailored e-mobility solutions at the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).” “At OSM, we are committed to providing reliable mobility solutions to our customers. Introducing the

first electric SCV will further bolster our commitment to a cleaner environment. We are confident to sustain a strong foothold in the segment with M1KA and would like to thank our customers for their constant support,” he expressed. With the M1KA, OSM is known to target a customer segment that combines owner-cum-drivers and fleet owners, who seek

maximum efficiency and can be a little adamant when it comes to cost-effectiveness. Deemed a milestone development, M1KA is expected to open doors for the company. t can look at more solutions for the front, middle and the last mile. The company, concluded Narang, is working on a product that could compete in the 3.5-7.5-tonne segment with products like the Tata 407 and even bring out higher variants if all goes as per plan.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Cover Story | Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

Industry Talk The Outlier

In an Industry Talk With CV session, Uday Narang, Founder and Chairman, Omega Seiki Mobility speaks to Sumesh Soman on being the outlier and disrupting the small commercial vehicles segment. Q. How did M1KA come into being and what is its positioning? A. I have been looking at the CV segment for quite some time. And my biggest concern was that 80 per cent of the time, they stay at the borders, there is an efficiency loss, the drivers and everybody involved in the journey has to wait all night for what we call the cannonball run. I felt that it was the need of the hour because that is a vehicle that is the heartbeat of intra-city transport. We felt a 250-kilometre range, and up to, two-tonne of load carrying capacity was the ideal offering for the product. I’m talking about average companies in transportation. A couple of things that could be impacted for them. Their efficiency will increase; they don’t need to work at night; the safety of drivers improves and so the overall ecosystem improves. And we felt the time was right with whatever experiences we’ve gathered on the three-wheelers and two-wheelers. And because we are a solution provider, this is the next level for us. There will be many other solutions on offer from us. We are working

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

on being the first, middle and last-mile solutions provider and meeting the needs of the entire customer universe. Q. Is M1KA a stepping stone for the company to attain

newer highs? A. Every product is close to my heart. My son’s name is Mika and so this is like my baby. I’ve been involved in it right from inception with the Research and Development (R&D) team. We

Cover Story | Industry Talk With CV Exclusive

believe this is a very important key for us. Every product line will be run separately. This is the first step towards bigger trucks. So what we want to do is we want to take baby steps of doing an SCV, We want to do something which is almost close to the 407, and then follow it up with bigger offerings. With the fuel prices soaring, we want all companies or individuals to be able to take advantage of our new technology. Why should the people at the lower end of the game be left out? Q. How robust is the charging infrastructure and ecosystem for the M1KA to succeed? A. We are going to announce very shortly an alliance with a very large, probably the largest player in this country who has access to everything. The plan is to identify corridors for the charging network. We want to build an ecosystem. We will announce under the OSM grid many alliances on building charging stations especially those corridors where we have a presence of 10-15 vehicles. Q. What is your take on government intervention pertaining to e-mobility? A. Our strategy is to be an early mover. We are going to force everyone to move towards electrification because it makes sense. It makes sense in terms of cost, and it makes sense in terms of the environment. The government subsidies and the

government involvement, the PLI schemes are fantastic. And I think the central government and the state governments are very proactive. The schemes are a helping hand but we cannot be dependent. My business model is not dependent on the government. The idea is to be able to develop products that the customers buy, because

“The EV market is growing especially in the commercial vehicles segment on the back of cost-effectiveness, sustainable solutions and increasing support from the centre and the respective state governments.” it saves them costs and helps better the environment. Q. How do you plan on hand holding customers, from purchase to the after sales journey? A. We have a team called ‘Team 360’. It is involved in service and technology. But the key part is, we’ve got to get all of our touch points ready. We’ve got, in all, 40 of them and aim to expand up to 120. By the end of the year, we plan to set up training sessions,

where drivers can come and learn how to drive the vehicles. How to be efficient, how to charge and or fix the vehicles. Our teams will be working with them so that they are not just stuck in one place. Hand holding customers is part of building the ecosystem for us. Q. How are you holding your supply chain together in these volatile times? A. We have been in the automotive business for over 52 years and we’ve seen ups and downs. But what we have always been successful with is planning for the longer term. We will work with the chip manufacturers and the battery manufacturers. There might be some dips, but I am of the firm belief that after the storm comes the sunshine. India is back and open, and we’ve learnt to live with the challenges. Q. What is the future roadmap for OSM? A. We are looking at larger vehicles. We feel that this country should forget ICE, and go electric. I’m also saying the future might be hydrogen, but I believe it will take some time. So our view is let’s not just think on a short commercial basis, think big, build a platform, build a system, and build the charging network. We must educate the customers, give them confidence, give them the warranty and build the ecosystem as part of a strategy for the next decade, maybe more.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Exhibition

International Police Expo 2021

The sixth edition of the International Police Expo 2021 was a testimony to automotive manufacturers penetrating the policing and security equipment segments deeper. Sumesh Soman highlights select and promising showcases from the expo.

he sixth International Police Expo 2021 delivered on its promise. It drew attention to the growing advancement in policing and security equipment and the government’s apparent intent to localise related manufacturing. Coming on the closing heels of defence import ban of ammunition and weapon systems in a push for indigenisation, and the government’s move to form seven new companies out of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), the exhibition aimed at delivering on enhanced functional autonomy, efficiency and further growth potential and innovation in line with the government’s vision of improving the nation’s self-reliance. At the International Police Expo, this year, automotive Original Equipment

Manufacturers (OEMs) made a beeline as they demonstrated the focus on police and security equipment. This year, more than 80 companies across 15 countries displayed their innovative products and technology for the Police and other Armed Forces of India with technology showcases sourced from Singapore, Israel, USA, Taiwan, UK, Ukraine, UAE, Sweden, Poland and other leading police and defence products manufacturing nations. Senior officers like DGPs, ADGPs, IGPs, DIGPs, IPS Officers, Army, Airforce, Coast Guards, NSG Commandos, SPG Commandos, Forensic Lab Scientists, Government Officials from State Police Forces, CAPFs, CPOs, SPG, NSG, Parliament Security, DRDO, Army

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Design Bureau, PSUs & Industry Stakeholders are known to be among the 3500+ visitors this year. The sixth edition was testimony to efforts for hedging pure automotive downturns with such unconventional, and non-automotive revenue streams. The all-terrain armoured vehicles, advanced systems, and sophisticated arms and ammunition were among the attractions at the expo. The attempt was to connect equipment manufacturers and technology developers with personnel worldwide and present the business opportunities under one roof. Key exhibits this year Held at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi, the International Police Expo

Exhibition

2021 had a wide showcase with the likelihood of tapping the interest of patrollers and commoners alike. From a distance in the exhibit area, it was easy to be drawn by the all-terrain armoured vehicles. The expo showcased the Sherp N 1200 tailor-made for niche applications like in the Border Security Force (BSF), for the Indian army besides in disaster management and rescue operations. The Sherp N 1200 also makes a strong case for private enterprises as a special application

vehicle with its robust Russian build quality. Manufactured by Ukraine-based Quadro International, it is expected to be locally manufactured near Mohali, in Punjab. The raw power to pull this machine is made available by a Stage 5 (Tier4 Final) compliant 1.8-litre, three-cylinder D18 diesel engine (comes with a warranty of 3000 hours) from the South Korean engine manufacturer Doosan. It is mated to a sixspeed mechanical Renault JR5 transmission unit that offers an extreme crawl ratio for tricky

traversals. The Sherp churns out a peak rated power of 55 hp and a rated peak torque of 190 Nm with revs locked at 3000 rpm. The torque is applied to the four wheels by chains sealed in a hermetic chamber filled with oil. With its mass, the Sherp can still attain a top speed of 40 kmph while crawling at two kilometres per hour on the other end of the spectrum. It draws fuel from a primary 95-litre fuel tank supplemented by an additional four fuel canisters mounted in the deep dish of the wheel hub each with a 58-litre capacity. This translates to a cumulative 327-litre capacity and an operating range of 61 hours considering the fuel consumption of five to eight litres per hour (Read the complete review of the Sherp N 1200 in our September 2021 Issue). The Indian pedigree of the Bharat Forge subsidiary Kalyani Strategic Systems manufactured by Kalyani Maverick did not let the Sherp N 1200 outshine it. The Kalyani Maverick looked at as an ace up the company’s sleeve held its own, and is touted as being single-handedly capable of winning the company prestigious contracts. The Maverick measures 6096 mm in length, 2560 mm in width and 2987 mm in height. An over 304 mm ground clearance with an approach angle of up to 30-degrees and a departure angle of 28 degrees makes it a capable vehicle. The capability is also defined by a six-cylinder turbo diesel engine housed in the monocoque hull chassis. It develops a rated peak power of 280 hp with the torque maxing out at 970 Nm. The engine is

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Exhibition mated to an automatic sixspeed transmission. Claimed to offer a superior mobility experience, a burst can lead to the Maverick attaining a top speed of 110 kmph. Braking duties are done by disc brakes and it runs on 20-inch tyres. The Maverick is capable of clocking 700 km on a full tank. (Read the complete review of the Kalyani Maveric ATC in our September 2021 Issue). Tata Advanced Systems showcased SKY-I and R-VTOL drones. The SKY-I is a fixedwing fully autonomous platform with long-range and endurance capability. This platform can be hand-launched for take-off and is equipped with a belly landing system. The maximum take-off weight is less than 10 kgs with an endurance of 120 minutes and an over 15 km range. It can cruise at a speed of 60 kmph and has a ceiling cap of 6000 metres. The Sky-I is propelled by an electric motor, tips scales at about 25kg, and is equipped with nonspillable rechargeable batteries. It can be launched in under 20 minutes. The introduction of caged drones was another spectacle this year. These can be useful in the rescue of the people during landslides or any mishap in the canals or caves by Indo Wings and Birdseye Assets. Their USPs include movement despite getting in contact with any surface, without the loss of any visuals. The fully autonomous Vertical Take-off and Landing (R-VTOL) UAV, takes off like a quadcopter, transitions into a fixed-wing mode for long-distance travel, and lands back at a point like a quadcopter. Tata VTOL UAV utilities are built for unforgiving and inhospitable terrains. VTOL platforms can operate

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

This year, more than 80 companies across 15 countries displayed their innovative products and technology for the Police and other Armed Forces of India.

from difficult and restrictive terrains such as hilltops, ship decks and small clearings in jungles. It is claimed to have an endurance range of 80-120 minutes with a range of 15-50 km and can operate at a height of 1000 m above ground level. The maximum launch altitude is 1000-4000 m propelled by an electric motor. It is said to be fully autonomous and runs on non-spillable rechargeable batteries. It can be mounted with an EO camera with 30x optical zoom, IR camera. The company claims to have developed its own IR optronic and gimbal system and can offer these UAVs as per customer requirements to various agencies for their special applications, including local training and support. The sophisticated arms and ammunition exhibits at the International Police Expo 2021 had a lot to offer too. Comeup Winch, known for its automotive winches showcased the Walrus Series winch with an estimated pulling capacity of eight to

nine tonnes (military-grade pounds). PLR Systems Pvt Ltd. put their entire arsenal range at the expo. The exhibit covered basic pistols, sniper rifles, assault rifles, submachine guns and light machine guns. Falling under the Adani IWI initiative, the guns, ammo and equipment are claimed to have been made in India and provided to the armed forces and other government authorities. CBRNE detection, speed gun, thermal imaging, night-lethal grade round camera, roto moulded militarygrade cases, handheld explosive and drugs detection, cyber security, perimeter intrusion detection systems, mine detectors, electronic sirens, safety shoes, fire and rescue products, automated surveillance drones, arms and ammunition, nonlethal tear smoke munitions and trac solution were among the other attractions. The next edition will be held at the same venue in July 2022. ................................................................... Watch out for the video coverage of the event on our Youtube/IGTV channel.

Around The Globe

Continental Tech Talk: The Automotive Software On the sidelines of Auto Shanghai 2021, Continental Automotive held a virtual tech talk. Ashish Bhatia brings out the focus on automotive software touched upon in the session.

n the sidelines of Auto Shanghai 2021, Continental held a virtual tech talk under its new initiative, ‘The Continental Tech Show Around The World 2021’. Focussed on software, the session spanned the spectrum of software as a key to assisted and automated driving, function integration in the end-toend network from the sensor to the vehicle high-performance computer to the cloud. It also touched upon driving innovation in the automotive industry with the Continental

Automotive Edge Platform (CAEdge) to new approaches in the case of in-vehicle architectures and software. Averred Dr Ismail Dagli, Senior Vice President, R&D, Business Unit ADAS, “The future of autonomous driving will be determined by software the transformation towards software and the data-driven company is a strategic imperative.” Dagli drew attention to Continental being a leading player in full-stack software. Consisting of assisted and or automated driving units, cameras, lidars and radars, Continental,

claimed Dagli, delivered more than 100 million units between 2017 and 2019. With over 300 models, and 50 brands the company catered to 25 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). He cited the increasing content and complexity due to higher automation levels being tackled by the company’s portfolio for automated driving. Continental technology, according to Dagli, is classified into partly automated driving (SAE L2), L2 Plus made up of L2 performance and L2 premium, and highly automated driving (SAE L3). Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

Around The Globe Under SAE L2, the company offers highway assisted rated NCAP 5. Under L2 performance, the company offers a traffic companion allowing drivers to ride hands free at speeds less than or equal to 80 kmph. In L2 premium, the highway companion is extended to speeds less than or equal to 130 kmph. It translates to L2 in extended “Operational Design Domain”. Under SAE L3, a cruising chauffeur is on offer. While the AD High-performance computer is optional in SAE L2, it comes as a standard inclusion in SAE L2 (1 unit) and SAE L3 (2 units). SAE L1 comprises up to five radars which are extended to seven in SAE L2 and SAE L3. There are up to two cameras in SAE L1, and up to six in SAE L2. The camera count goes to nine in SAE L3. Only SAE L3 offers a minimum of two lidars. To sum it up, the content per vehicle in L2 performance is greater than 2X of SAE L2, 4X in L2 premium and 10X in SAE L3. Speaking on radar fundamentals for ADAS and AD, Dagli drew attention to the capabilities of determining the precise distance and speed in real-time and helping to navigate in adverse weather conditions. The next radar generation from Continental 4D Imaging Radar offers capabilities that include high resolution, image processing, high detection sensitivity, system availability, and measuring device. Drivers can look forward to enhanced inputs required to steer clear of underride elevated objects, non-overridable ground obstacles, road boundaries, debris and potholes, navigating complex and dense traffic,

Body HPC Body High Performance Computer (hpc) is deemed as a cornerstone of modern architecture. It encompasses a data and communications hub for central data and service management for cloud/IoT services and data routing. Using an integration platform, software and services integration of multiple vendors, and X-domain functions integration (up to ASIL-D) is made possible. The Over-The-Air Master facilitates OTA update and upgrade of functions and firmware besides the OTA software distribution cross vehicle E/E architecture. The cyber security master provides an adaptive fire wall and secure access and data storage. and recognition of landmarks. Deeming artificial intelligence as key for sensor fusion and sensor interpretation, Dagli gave a sense of detection, tracking and environment modelling to give a perspective on fusion and comprehensive environment modelling through the use of lidar, camera and radar. Emphasising Continental’s readiness for the future, the session led to the vital importance of data quality and efficient data management. Continental is known to have collected approximate 100 terabytes of data each day through a global test fleet. Through the CAEdge platform and an on-premises supercomputer, the company has worked extensively on neural network development, synthetic data generation, and validation and simulation, he shared. Through an AI Competence Center, the company has also invested in the core development of AI tech and the rollout to product development teams. The company has successfully prepared for SOPs of modular and scaleable fullstack capabilities and highperformance computers. For the full stack capability that executes driving and parking functions, perception through the operating system and middle ware, software

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components are known to be sourced from subsidiaries like Electrobit and Argus besides other third-party entities. Through the high-performance computer, the company offers combinable surround view and assisted driving up to integrated automated driving and parking high-performance computers. On addressing the growing system complexity and the need to attain standardisation, explained Dagli, Continental is leveraging the strengths of simulation. “The independent layer of stacks are standardised on a priority basis especially where there is a need to introduce efficiencies,” he stated. On automotive grade memories

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Dr Ismail Dagli, Senior Vice President, R&D, Business Unit ADAS

Philipp Neubauer, Solution Manager Body HPC Platform, Business Area VNI Central Engineering

outside of the embedded systems assuming significance, Dagli added, peak performance utilisations is banking on the company’s cloud partnerships with partners like Amazon Web Services (AWS). With it, the storage and computational power has neared infinity, he quipped. Philipp Neubauer, Solution Manager Body HPC Platform, Business Area VNI Central Engineering said, “Autonomous and intelligent mobility requires a revolution of vehicle electronics. New architectures go beyond the vehicle: from the sensor to the cloud.” “End-to-end network solutions are based on body highperformance computers for a reliable low-latency connectivity,” he opined. With a projection of more than 50 per cent of cars being connected in 2021, Neubauer spoke of digital transformation revolutionising the E/E architecture. He credited it for leading the way towards softwaredefined vehicles and addressing complexity and functional growth with the current approach reaching its limits. Going forward, it is expected that users will rely increasingly on smart IoT devices. Using fewer highperformance and zones, significant

compute power with more processing cores will be made available. The architecture will read to a 50 per cent reduction of wires with functions defined by software. The integration is made possible by a server-based vehicle architecture from the sensor to the cloud, explained Neubauer. The sensor feeds the zone/IO Box which in turn feeds the HPC/server and is connected to the cloud by offering mobile online services. The Continental Cooperation Portal (CCP) works to facilitates automated software delivery and integration. System integration, as per Neubauer, will be a key competency for the future generation of vehicles. The CCP is claimed to offer a customisable collaboration environment for software projects. Automated software validation and integration are expected to increase quality and efficiency. Martin Schleider, Head of Software Strategy, Holistic Engineering and Technologies drew attention to new business opportunities and prospects of collaboration. “End users can get new software functions and updates over the complete lifecycle of a car,” he mentioned. He called the CCP the basis of Continental accelerating

Philipp Neubauer, Solution Manager - High Performance Computer in conversation with Ashish Bhatia during the session.

software development and attaining safety, security and reliability. In the vehicle architecture, the focus is on decoupling hardware from software, converging domains through functional building blocks, improving time to market through agile development and digitising lifecycle management through update and upgrade, he explained. He called for the need for trustbased collaboration models. He laid special impetus on the softwaredefined vehicle needing a software partner through the vehicle lifecycle to tackle the needs like security and safety support, and maintenance through the middleware sitting between the hardware supplier and OEM. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

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A Signal Of Hope

As a platform for the mobility of the future, IAA Mobility 2021 gave a signal of hope. Ashish Bhatia brings components exhibits that showed transformation of mobility.

AA Mobility 2021 ticked all the boxes! As a platform for the mobility of the future, the 2021 edition, in Munich, presented a diverse spectrum of mobility solutions. A total of 744 exhibitors and 936 speakers from 32 countries are known

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to have taken part this year and climate-neutral mobility linked them. Organised by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) jointly with Messe München, an estimated four lakh participants made it to the edition this year. In all,

100 premieres took place, underlying the transformation of mobility. “The new IAA Mobility is a strong signal to the world that international exhibitions in Germany are now possible again,” expressed Klaus Dittrich, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of

Around The Globe Messe München. Across 98 exhibition areas, 75 bicycle brands, 152 supply firms, tech companies and 78 startups registered their presence. Huawei, Microsoft, IBM, Bosch, Magna, Schaeffler, Continental, Michelin, ZF, MAHLE, Seimens, Valeo, Brose, MicroVision, Intel, Pirelli were among the exhibitors. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called IAA Mobility a “signal of hope”. Besides being the first trade show in Germany, in the aftermath of the pandemic, Merkel termed it as an important initiator for the targeted climate neutrality. “Looking around here, I am firmly convinced that the transformation to climate neutrality will be a success for our country and for our automotive industry,” she said. She called the automotive industry a “central part of the solution” referring to the climate crisis. On EVs, Merkel cited how with passing time, concepts studies of emobility had turned to all manufacturers having electric vehicles suitable for everyday use in their range. She urged the industry to “tap the full potential of all innovations”. In her speech, hydrogen and synthetic fuels found mention as important contributors for climate protection. She called for the expansion of the charging infrastructure with the inclusion of safe and fast charging with green electricity in Europe as she committed to the goal of establishing one million public charging points in Germany by 2030. Ola Källenius, CEO of Daimler AG, promised groundbreaking innovations from the industry: “Vehicles will be cleaner and smarter than ever before,” he said.

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany

Next to move Bosch At IAA Mobility 2021, Bosch set out to define mobility transformation that is safe, and emission-free. The company displayed an array of products. It showcased a charging solutions starter kit claimed to be versatile. The inclusions were a lightweight charging cable for all drivers of hybrid and electric vehicles sans an electronics box in comparison to conventional charging cables. The company also showcased a new inverter generation claimed to be a technological leap in the powertrain of electric vehicles. Making use of silicon carbide semiconductor technology, the fourth generation inverters are said to extend vehicle ranges. On offer are a higher power density and lower losses in a compact design. The predictive thermal management system for cars from the company is claimed to have been made using over 40 components and with over 10 operating modes. The advanced driving module from Bosch is a harmonised module

for propulsion, steering, braking and control. It offers simplified variant management with OTA updates besides a claimed state-of-the-art EV motion control. It showcased an e-axle positioned as a cost-effective electric drive solution for BEVs and hybrid applications. The compact unit powering the vehicle’s axle consists of electric motors, power electronics and transmission. It showcased a scalable fuel-cell power module aimed at commercial

Dr. Volkmar Denner, Chairman of Management Board and Chief Executive Officer at Robert Bosch AG.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

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vehicles for the long haul. Generating electricity from hydrogen, the system is made up of a fuel stack and fuel-cell sub modules. Schaeffler for sustainable mobility Submitting to trends of sustainable mobility and climate change, Schaeffler presented climate-friendly energy generation, alternative drives, intelligent repair solutions and new mobility concepts. Matthias Zink, CEO Automotive Technologies, Schaeffler AG in a press statement said, “Our decades of expertise in internal combustion engine drives also provides the foundation for shaping the change in e-mobility that will move the world. Schaeffler’s high level of production and technological expertise across all components of electric drive systems plays a pivotal role in achieving products that are both technically advanced and economical.” The company showcased its 800-Volt power electronics that boast continuous outputs of 330 kW and short-term peak outputs of 500 kW and a

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thermal management system aimed at addressing the range anxiety in the case of EVs. It also showcased the three-inone e-axle that combines an electric motor, transmission and power electronics. The e-axle makes use of two electric water pumps, a central ECU for the pumps and valves besides a refrigeration circuit interface for coolants and refrigerants. It also showcased a rolling chassis said to be a modular solution aimed at urban mobility needs. It also showcased a hydrogen fuel cell stack that is known to consist of metal bipolar plates. MAHLE focus on emobility MAHLE’s focus on emobility was evident from its exhibits

that spanned charging infrastructure, battery systems and e-drives. Michael Frick, Chairman of the Group Management Board (ad interim) and CFO of MAHLE, said, “MAHLE has boosted the pace of its transformation. We will consistently build on the success achieved to date in our technological and structural reorientation.” Backed by a research and development expenditure amounting to six per cent of sales, the company showcased battery thermal management through immersion cooling wherein a non-conductive coolant circulates around the cells. The company expects to introduce it on BEVs 2025 onwards. In a breakthrough development, the company also showcased the new the magnet-free electric motor which sets aside the requirement of rare earth metals. Its USP is an inductive, contactless power transmission. Its scalability allows it to be used from cars on the lower end of the spectrum to commercial vehicles like trucks. Notably, the company is confident of transferring its ICE products to emobility applications.

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Safe clean and diverse mobility by Valeo Valeo is preparing for EVs to benefit from economies of scale. The company showcased LiDARs, cameras, radars, and ultrasound in the prototype autonomous car Valeo Drive4U. The company additionally showcased smart lighting systems for enhancing on-road safety, universal charging stations suited to all vehicles irrespective of their voltage and backed by intelligent energy management features. For high-voltage systems, the company is known to leverage its JV Valeo-Seimens eAutomotive. It also showcased thermal systems for EVs.

technology to create intelligent systems. The company gave a glimpse of how it is connecting vehicle access, interior configuration and thermal management. Through Brose Access and Interior Network (BRAIN), the company is climbed to be capable of integrating into OEM electronics and software systems. The company is gearing to deliver motors, control units and power electronics for e-scooters in 2022. The company gave a digital overview of a fully networked system that included a frunk access system, temperature control

and ventilation, thermal system, side door access system, next-gen interior with the expansion of seat functionality through adjustment components, sensor technology and interior vehicle electronics. It also gave a demo of the alternative kinematics door concepts claimed to offer a modular design with a high degree of standardisation. It also showcased the tailgate access system claimed to offer convenient, secure and automated vehicle access.

Brose intelligent mobility systems Brose showcased how it connected its mechatronic components with proprietary software and sensor Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

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Volkswagen all-new Multivan

Volkswagen has unveiled an all-new Multivan to replace the Caravelle. Team CV looks at the multi-faceted vehicle.

inning three titles at the 2021 Trade Van Driver Awards for its Transporter 6.1 and Crafter, and the ‘City Emergency Braking’ feature as technical innovation, Volkswagen has unveiled an all-new Multivan to replace the Caravelle. Providing up to seven seats and claimed to achieve a perfect combination of practicality, comfort, and safety, the vehicle flaunts an all-new exterior to suit a multitude of roles – from chauffeuring to the daily school run to holiday adventures. Reflecting

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

a complete overhaul of its predecessor without sacrificing the versatility set by the Caravelle, the Multivan is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform. Paying homage to the DNA of its predecessors, dating back to the 1985 Transporter T3, the design of the Multivan has a horizontal design line and full-width grille and headlights to provide it with a modern and dynamic stance. The front air intakes, painted in the same colour as the vehicle, pay tribute to the heritage air-cooled engine models of the yore. Measuring 1941 mm

in width, 4973 mm in length (the longer wheelbase version measures 5173 mm) and 1903 mm in height, the vehicle, offered in a hybrid version as well, is quite aerodynamic. Available with wheels up to 19-inch dia., and in three forms – Multivan, Life and Style, the Multivan has panoramic glass roof as optional. Available with an electrically operated rear hatch and power sliding doors, the vehicle can be operated via gesture control for ease of entry. Fitted with LED headlights as standard (can be upgraded to interactive IQ.LIGHT – LED

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matrix headlights that offer a permanent full beam without blinding oncoming drivers and dynamic cornering to provide precise illumination during bends and feature an illuminated LED lateral bar in the radiator grille), the Multivan is flexible and spacious inside. Employing a new modular, lightweight seating system and

an innovative table, the cabin is designed such that the second row can be moved 180-degree to create a conference style seating configuration. The full-width bench seat for the third row has been replaced by individual seats to allow single seats to be removed for complete flexibility. An innovative multi-function table

uses the central track and can be moved between any of the seating rows. It can be used as a centre console between the front seats and is completely removable. Equipped with an electronically activated parking brake, an automatic DSG gearbox controlled via shift-by-wire technology (with controls ergonomically integrated into the instrument panel), the vehicle offers 469 litres of luggage space behind the third row of seats. It can be extended to 1,844 litres behind the second row. The full cargo capacity up to the front seats is 3,672 litres (and 4,053 litres in the longer version). The cockpit area, replete with a new multi-function steering wheel, is designed to have most controls in one line of sight. The secondary line is for other functions to make the operation as intuitive as possible. Touch controls provide direct access

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

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to settings such as airconditioning, seat heating, and audio volume. The central line consists of 10.25-inch ‘Digital Cockpit’ display and a 10.0inch infotainment touchscreen. Centrally arranged between the two are the new,

Commercial Vehicle November 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

minimalist shift-by-wire DSG controls. Integrated next to this are two USB-C sockets as standard and a tray for optional inductive smartphone charging. A head-up display is available for the first time. In terms of connectivity, bundled

with the standard infotainment system - ‘Ready 2 Discover’, is an integrated eSIM. Its ‘we Connect’ feature can be used free of charge for an unlimited period with services such as breakdown assistance, vehicle status and parked

Around The Globe position. The ‘We Connect Plus’, available free for three years, provides extra services such as the ability to lock and unlock the vehicle, or control the optional auxiliary heater remotely via smartphone. For the eHybrid, it allows owners to pre-set the vehicle temperature and manage the charging process via the smartphone. The optional Discover Media and Discover Pro navigation systems have online map updating and traffic information. All infotainment systems can be combined with a Harmon Kardon sound system developed specifically for the Multivan. A 16-channel Ethernet amplifier with 840 watts of music output, and four sound settings uses the ‘Fraunhofer Sonamic Panorama Algorithm’, which can separate the individual sources of a stereo recording and distribute them evenly across a U-shaped acoustic stage, to create the

optimum sound. Featuring more than 34 driver assist systems enhancing safety, comfort, and convenience. The Front Assist area monitoring system, which includes City Emergency Braking, Dynamic Road Sign Display and the Lane Assist system is standard. The Multivan is laced with Car2X, which allows local communication with other vehicles and the highways infrastructure to provide warnings of any danger, side protection, cross wind assist, turn-off assist, which warns of any oncoming traffic when turning across a carriageway, and an exit warning system, which warns when opening a door to any oncoming bicycles or vehicles from the rear. The IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist allows semi-autonomous driving by combining the predictive Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist to make longdistance journeys safer and easier. A 360-degree view

through four cameras on the 10-inch infotainment display makes the van easy to park and manoeuvre. With a towing capacity of up to two-tonne, the Multivan is powered by a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol direct-injection engine that develops 150 PS power in the (plug-in) eHybrid version. It is coupled with an 85 kW electric motor to provide a combined power output of 218 PS. Transmission is a six-speed DSG unit. The 13 kWh lithium-ion battery of the vehicle is housed under the flat floor and aids in lowering the centre of gravity. The conventional powertrain vehicle has a 136 PS, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol direct-injection engine and a seven-speed DSG gearbox. There’s a 204PS two-litre turbo-petrol engine on offer too. A diesel 150PS diesel engine is also a part of the list.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | November 2021

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