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Volume 15 Issue 1 • October 2020
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Tata Intra V30
Ashok Leyland
Stayin’ Alive BharatBenz Growth Story
‘Bada Dost’
Banking on the festive season n Impact of Covid-19 n Reddy Customs Ambulance /commercialvehicle
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STAYIN’ ALIVE
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A TATA INTR V30
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ASHOK LEYLA
‘BADA DOST’
BHARATBENZ GROWTH STORY
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CV_ October 2020
OR
STRAIGHT DRIVE
I
“CV drivers could look at driving longer, turn around faster and earn better�.
borrowed a 4.4-tonne LCV for a run of about 600 kms from Vasai to Dapoli recently. At no point did I find a single road in the best of its health or quality. And, I ended up paying an amount of toll tax. Much more because of a substantial tax hike starting October 01, 2020. Cruel the tax felt along with the hike against the backdrop of severe economic slowdown and the loss of employment that has rendered millions poor. The absence of suburban train services in a city like Mumbai has compelled people to commute by road. The worst stretch of a road that I encountered was after Panvel on the Mumbai-Goa national highway. It felt like no road at all, forget a national highway. Signs of it being modernised contradict its horrible state. Even the newly built Pen by-pass for that matter. Automotive manufacturers could use it as a torture track to test their vehicles. Compelling CV drivers to lead a life of hell, such road infrastructure has come to highlight how ingress of modern technology in vehicles has made them safer, comfortable and convenient to drive. CV drivers could look at driving longer, turn around faster and earn better. Bhushan Mhapralkar b.mhapralkar@nextgenpublishing.net
o t e d o c R Q s i h t n Sca rted get sta 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.
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what's inside Cover story 28
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Ashok Leyland 'Bada Dost' 'Bada Dost' marks a significant shift at Ashok Leyland with global aspirations to boast of.
Stayin’ Alive Confident of growth returning to the CV industry, factors like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and the uptick in rural economy are set to play a role.
05 Straight Drive Bhushan Mhapralkar 10 Letters 12 CV News Continental CV tyre n Tata Signa 5525.S n Tata Motors delivers 51 Winger Ambulances n Greaves Cotton resumes service n Toll tax rate rise? n Auto-rickshaw mobile app. n Daimler India ‘Mitra’ initiative n Tata Motors partners with USGI n MTDC ‘Caravan’ n Castrol EV adoption study n DICV warehouse modernisation n
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CNH Industrial India tractor exports n-MAX automotive refinish Ujjivan SFB finance for SCVs Bosch and Sun Mobility associate
We welcome feedback, bouquets and brickbats on how this magazine is shaping up. Write to us at cvonline@nextgenpublishing.net or visit us on www.commercialvehicle.in
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Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
R YOUICE VO
October 2020 Mahle and Ballard collaborate PMPML to run bio-CNG buses? n Aging MSRTC buses to get a makeover? n M&M largest CV maker of India? n Ashok Leyland order for 1400 ICVs n Contract carriage operators struggle n TN’s women-powered autos n Vehicle document hard copies no longer required n Diesel sales rise n Phasing out pre-BSIV vehicles? n Interest waiver on moratorium n Tata Motors bags military export order n EV components localisation deadline extended? n FADA new appointments n Birla Tyres looking for collaborators? n BorgWarner acquires Delphi Technologies n BS Trem-IV woes? n Government norms for alternative fuels n CV makers remap strategies n e-Business Summit n n
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Impact of Covid-19 The IRU report on Covid-19 impact on passenger and freight transport underlines much pain and a loss of over Euro 551 billion.
Tata Intra V30
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The Tata Intra V30 looks set to make a mark for itself.
Reddy Customs Ambulance
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Reddy Customs has entered the medical vehicle sector.
Banking on the festive season
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CV dealer, Kamal Motors, is banking on the festive season to clock good sales.
71 The Lion of Brunswick The Lion of Brunswick has a special place of honour on MAN trucks. 75 The Daimler Kamaz Rus strategies A new cab factory commissioned by the joint venture between Daimler Group and Kamaz points at an interesting arrangement. 82 Porting Satellite Shankar
BharatBenz Growth Story
66
Challenges don’t seem to dampen the Daimler India growth story in India.
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Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // October 2020
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Letters Commercial Vehicle Magazine
105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India. Tel +91 22 43525252 Email us at cv@nextgenpublishing.net
Digitisation of public transport
T
he article on ‘digitising public transport’ made for an informative read. The comment by M Ramchandran is apt. We need to build a strong ecosystem post-pandemic to increase the use of public transport. Despite owning a car, I prefer to use public transport buses and trains as I find them affordable. They save me of the headache of searching a secure parking space. What I find bad about, however, is that technology used by many transportation companies isn’t helping them to assure commuters like me of a seamless travel experience with facilities like estimation of bus arrival or which bus will connect me with a train, or if I could buy a ticket that I could use on the bus as well as the train without bothering to once again waste my time in the queue. Digital technology could help get a seamless experience, but will also entail investments and proper planning. The government and transport companies, I think, should look into deploying such technologies and keep the commuter as the centre of them all. Rampant digitisation that helps no commuter is not worth it. It serves none. Naveen Gupte, Mumbai
Editor Test Editor Web Editor Correspondent Head-Design & Production Art Director Asst. Art Director Image Desk Production Supervisor Publisher Chief Executive Officer General Manager North & East
Bhushan Mhapralkar Aspi Bhathena Ashish Bhatia Deepti Thore, Deven Lad Ravi Parmar Mangesh Sawant Ajit Manjrekar Dipak Gaykar Dinesh Bhajnik Marzban Jasoomani Hoshang S. Billimoria Ellora Dasgupta
General Manager South
Girish Shet
Deputy General Manager
Chanchal Arora
North Regional Marketing Manager Salma Jabbar (Chennai) Marketing Manager
Minocher Parakh (Mumbai)
Manager Circulation - North and East Kapil Kaushik Subscription Supervisor Sachin Kelkar Tel +91 22 43525220 Apple Newsstand & Magzter Queries help@magzter.com Zinio Subscriptions Queries http://in.zinio.com/help/index.jsp Territory Sales Incharge (SIP) Mr. Srinivas Gangula (Hyderabad) Cell +91 09000555756 Territory Sales Incharge (Circulation) Vidyasagar Gupta (Kolkata) Mob: 09804085683
The used CV market
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he ‘Daimler India enters used CV market’ made for a case where it seemed that the company wants to increase its reach in the used CV market but not take much risk. I think they should be well aware of the fact that there is no gain in business without risk. So, it is quite likely that they could win a loyal customer in taking a risk in helping him exchange his old truck for a new technology BharatBenz one. I have seen the transport industry from close quarters, and especially how these one or two truck operators work. It is they who are the most affected today. It is they who are most likely to be stuck with inefficient and high maintenance trucks. It is they who are finding it the most difficult to secure finance to upgrade. To look at a chance to earn better. It would serve Daimler India to look at these operators and give them a hand. They are certain to turn into their loyal customers if they are able to upgrade to efficient trucks and earn better. It is essential for the health of the road transport industry that the smaller players are able to sustain and grow. Without them, the transport industry will not be what it is today.
Ashok Sharma, Delhi
Regional marketing offices Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd. 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India Tel +91 22 43525252 26 B, First Floor, Okhla Industrial Estate, Okhla Phase III, New Delhi - 110020, India Tel +91 11 42346600/78 Fax +91 11 42346679 Unit No:509, 5th Floor, ‘B’ wing, Mittal Towers, MG Road, Bengaluru -560001, India Tel +91 080 66110116/17 Fax +91 80 41472574 Cenetoph Elite, No.5, Cenetoph 1st street, Teynampet, Chennai - 600018, India Tel +91 044 421-08-421/044 421-75-421 Devendra Mehta - Mob No.- 09714913234 Ahmedabad S.No.261/G.L.R.No.5, East Street,Camp Pune - 411001. Tel + 91 20 26830465 iews and opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of Next V Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd. Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd. does not take responsibility for returning unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other material. All material published in COMMERCIAL VEHICLE is copyright and no part of the magazine may be reproduced in part or full without the express prior written permission of the publisher Printed by Marzban Jasoomani Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013. Published by Marzban Jasoomani on behalf of Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, Printed at Kala Jyothi Process Pvt. Ltd, 1-1-60/5 RTCX Roads, Hyderabad - 20. Published at Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013. All readers are recommended to make their own independent enquiries before sending money, incurring expenses or entering into commitments in relation to any advertisement appearing in the publication. Commercial Vehicle does not vouch for any claims made by advertisers for their products and services. The editor, publisher, printer and employees of the publication shall not be held liable for any consequence in the events of such claims not being honoured by the advertisers. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Mumbai only. Editor Bhushan Mhapralkar
Pen down your views and queries to Commercial Vehicle, Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd, 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, INDIA. or Login to: www.commercialvehicle.in or Email us on: cv@nextgenpublishing.net
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Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
News Continental Tata Signa 5525.S CV tyre
T C
ontinental has introduced 10.00R20 Hybrid CHA2 (Conti Highway All wheel) tyres for commercial vehicles in India. These tyres are allwheel tyres designed for lower TCO. Offering high mileage, retreadability and low cut-chip damage, the tyres are designed and developed for both goods and people segments. With the flexibility and advantage while rotating them on different axles as a maintenance practice by the fleet, the tyres employ a new cap compound that ensures a cooler running base and optimal endurance performance. It is resistant to cut-chip damage for regional applications and features a textile reinforced bead to ensure high speed durability. It also has a new ‘siping’ technology in it that helps to eject stones.
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ata Motors has launched the Signa 5525.S 4x2 tractor with the highest GCW of 55-tonnes. It is powered by a 250 hp Cummins 6.7-litre engine mated to a G1150 nine-speed manual transmission. The maximum torque rating of the engine is 950 Nm at 1000-1800rpm. Employing a heavy-duty RA110 rear
axle with enhanced pulling power, the tractor is designed for demanding terrain and multiple application requirements. It features three distinct drive modes -- Light, Medium and Heavy; with a gear shift advisor, and real-time driver coaching for a good balance between performance and fuel efficiency.
Tata Motors delivers 51 Winger Ambulances
T
ata Motors has delivered 51 Tata Winger Ambulances to the Pune ‘Zilla Parishad’ as part of a larger order placed by the Government body to depute them with the ‘Gram Panchayats’ in Pune district to to provide health aid to the people in the region amid Covid pandemic. Winning the bid for the order under the Government e-Marketplace, the
Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
ambulances are designed for patient transport as per the AIS 125 Part One standard. The ambulances are BSVI emission compliant and have a partition for driver safety. Powered by a 98 hp, 2.2-litre engine mated to a five-speed gearbox, the vehicles are designed for good driveability and feature an Eco switch for high fuel efficiency.
news
Greaves Cotton resumes service
Auto-rickshaw mobile app. T
G
reaves Cotton Limited has announced the re-opening of its Greaves Care service centres across the country, post unlock 4.0. These centres, present across 182 locations, will operate with procedures set, including
the social distancing norms, which would ensure the safety of the sales staff and customers. The company has carried out extensive training for its channel employees to be able to work in a safe environment.
Toll tax rate rise? E
ffective
October 01, 2020, toll tax rates at five entry points to Mumbai have been hiked from Rs.35 to Rs.40 for cars; Rs.45 to Rs.65 for lighter CVs, and from Rs.105 to Rs.135 for heavier CVs. Coming at a time when the suburban train network is dysfunctional and unemployment is at its highest, leading people in the region to travel by road and brave the pandemic, the timing of the rise in toll tax is being questioned by many. On the condition of not revealing their identity, some have termed the rise as shocking. Drawing attention to the lack of good infrastructure that this city deserves, many CV operators that CV magazine spoke to, on the condition of not revealing their identity, said that this toll tax collection drive has been running since the last three and half decades almost. The intended purpose of this tax collection would have long been addressed, they added. Wonder, where all the taxes we pay are going, rued one of them.
hree Wheels United (TWU) has launched a one-stop mobile app. for auto-rickshaw drivers to help them to access trusted, targeted information and services. Aimed at improving their livelihood, the app. helps them to acquire all the relevant local information related to safety and sanitisation protocols and government relief initiatives for drivers. Providing additional details about service station locations, peer to peer vehicle rental, charging points for electric autorickshaws and other resources, the app. would enable auto-rickshaw drivers to avail information and advice on vehicle loans, personal insurance and details about discounts or promotions from service providers. Through the app., TWU has distributed 3500 sanitisation kits and trained over 5000 drivers on relevant safety protocols in Kannada and English language.
Daimler India ‘Mitra’ initiative
D
aimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has announced its revolutionary customer engagement program ‘Mitra’ for this year. Last year, it included seven of its fleet customers to pair with the members of the DICV Executive Board and the company CEO to communicate in an effort to ensure the CV maker is able to offer high standards of service. This year, the company would pair another set of selected BharatBenz customers with top executives from DICV with the same intention. Assigning a top executive who is personally devoted to making sure that the selected customers each gets the best service possible, the company is hoping to expand the programme to 60 more customers over a period of time on an invitation basis. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in //October 2020
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News
Tata Motors partners with USGI T
ata Motors Insurance Broking and Advisory Services Ltd. (TMBAS) has partnered with Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd. (USGI) to provide customers with additional choices for insurers. Equipped with AI-powered motor USGI claims intimation, deputation of survey within 10 minutes and paperless claims settlement process, reducing TAT for claims settlement and helping customers for faster results. USGI uses a mobile app. for Spot Survey and Live Video Streaming for assessment of loss. These facilities help to enhance efficiency in service. USGI has coverage available even in remotest locations to ensure increased insurance penetration in the country. The company also provides Roadside Assistance services to the customers keeping their vehicle on the road. The services include – minor roadside repair,
rundown of battery, flat tyre services, key services, fuel assistance, express shipment of spares, towing of disabled vehicle – in case of an accident or break down, pick up of vehicle in case of disability of driver, medical or legal coordination and relay of messages in an emergency.
MTDC ‘Caravan’
Castrol EV adoption study
C
astrol India has released a study on EV adoption in India that it has conducted. The study draws views of consumers, fleet managers and the auto industry leaders from across India to reveal factors involving the purchase of EVs. The study claims that drivers in India require EVs priced at Rs.23 lakhs; 35 minutes average charge time, and a travel range of 401 km. It would represent a ‘tipping point’
T
he Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has launched a Motorhome (also called as Recreational Vehicle) in collaboration with Motohom. Aimed at those who want to go on a holiday run or spend time away from home, and at a place where a good lodging facility may not be available, the motorhome is furnished with a small bedroom, a kitchen, a living room,
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bathroom and a terrace space on the roof. It has a waste disposal system, GPS tracking (useful to track in case of a breakdown), and a front- and rear-mounted close circuit cameras for security. With a security siren onboard to ward off any potential danger, the vehicle, capable of a max. speed of 90 kmph, is available with a driver and an attendant. It could be rented out for Rs.21,000 a day.
Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
for many automotive vehicle users to move to EVs. The study states that the annual EV market in India could be worth an estimated USD-two billion by 2025 if the three tipping points are met. Pointing to a possible EVpowered low-carbon recovery for the auto industry, the study has indicated that vehicle buyers are positive about switching to EVs, and earlier than later.
News
DICV warehouse modernisation
D
aimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has modernised its 30,000 sq. m. domestic parts warehouse at Oragadam plant, which employs over 350 people. Handling one million transactions per year and about two transactions every single minute, the warehouse has been modernised through a 360 degree approach. It
has thus received an ability to conduct processes more efficiently. Replete with automation and digitisation, inline with the company’s BSVI transition, the warehouse modernisation endeavour includes a new kitting concept and internal sequencing operation, which helps feed parts to the production line efficiently.
CNH Industrial India tractor exports A
gainst the backdrop of good sales clocked by tractors in the domestic market, CNH Industrial India has exported 100 agricultural tractors to Bangladesh in an inaugural run of a freight train from the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Dadri, India. It has in the process become the first company to achieve this milestone through Indian Railways. The company took the decision of using the
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n-MAX automotive refinish
N
railway network for dispatching its tractors as it was facing issues with the freight movement by road transport, which got affected due to the pandemic situation.
Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
Engineered to help overcome parts supply challenges like the one due to the lockdown, the modernisation process also includes an investment in a SAP-based WMS (Warehouse Management System) that will go live in October 2020 to improve stock accuracy and traceability; ensure FIFO and shelf life monitoring.
ippon Paint India has launched n-Max range of automotive refinish paints, and includes N Max SB. It is equipped with a vast range of OEM colour formulations, and is supported by Nippon’s advanced paint partner digital colour retrieval system with a five-angle spectrophotometer. Complemented by a range of ancillaries that include Nax Pro LV, a low VOC range of clear coats, primers and auxiliaries from Europe and Nax Pro EZ as complimentary, the n-Max range is aimed at independent body shops and collision repair centres.
News Ujjivan SFB finance for SCVs
U
jjivan Small Finance Bank has announced that it would finance Small Commercial Vehicles (SCV) in tier-two and tier-three cities. It would make funds available through its ‘Raftaar’ loan product mix across southern and eastern regions of India, namely Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
and West Bengal. Also looking at other regions as per the demand, the organisation already has a tie-up with major CV players in India like Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland. The ‘Raftaar’ loan portfolio also includes two-wheeler and electric threewheeler loans.
Bosch and Sun Mobility associate
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osch has acquired a 26 per cent stake in Sun Mobility through its investment vehicle, Robert Bosch Investment Nederland B.V. With this arrangement, Bosch has further increased its participation in the area of electro-mobility. For Sun Mobility, Bosch makes a strong partner. Expected to
develop cost-effective and convenient energy infrastructure solutions that would help promote early adoption of EVs, the arrangement is said to be in-line with Bosch’s vision that a mix of combustion engines and electrification will be needed for a highly efficient mobility ecosystem.
Mahle and Ballard collaborate M
ahle and Ballard Power Systems Inc. have collaborated to develop fuel cell systems for CVs of various tonnage. Targeting European, North American and Asian markets, the companies are looking at providing a strong stimulus to the development of fuel cell drives suitable for large-scale productions. As a part of the partnership, Ballard is developing system design relating to the fuel cell stack whereas Mahle is incorporating its extensive experience in the areas of thermal management, power electronics and packaging. Working towards
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Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
a vision of carbon-neutral heavyduty transport, both the companies are looking at aiding climate target achievement for medium and heavy CVs.
PMPML to run bio-CNG buses? T
he Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will run its 20 buses on bio-CNG or CBG (compressed biogas) from mid-October 2020, claim sources. They mention that the trials for these buses have been completed and an arrangement with Indian Oil is in place for the supply of gas. The gas, say sources, is made from food waste collected from different hotels, and made available at the refuelling station at Talegaon. Buses from the Bhosari depot of the PMPML moving towards Talegaon area will be running on this fuel, they inform. With another fuelling station at Nigdi expected to come up in the next three months, the PMPML is said to be planning to run 50 more buses on bioCNG. It is claimed to be targeting over 100 buses to run on this alternative fuel by January 2021.
News
Aging MSRTC buses to get a makeover?
T
he Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has taken a decision to convert 3000 ageing buses from its 18,000 strong bus fleet into trucks or cold storage vans, claim sources. This is said to be in response to the traction witnessed by buses that were earlier converted as part of a pilot project into cargo carriers for parcels and couriers. The work on converting the ageing buses into cold storage and regular trucks is claimed to be already underway at MSRTC’s Dapoli workshop. Sources inform that there are vehicles in the MSRTC fleet that have completed or are nearing completion of permitted mileage for running as passenger transportation and yet have a 15-year shelf life remaining. They add that 900 buses
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converted into trucks completed an average of 28000 trips (running 39 lakh kms) by September 2020, generating a revenue of Rs.13.70 crore. The newly converted ones completed 400 trips in September 2020, generating a revenue of Rs.20 lakh.
M&M largest CV maker of India? M ahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has become the largest CV maker in India with the support of its Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) portfolio that sold 62,896 units in the first quarter of FY2020-21 as compared to the sale of 61,368 units during the same period by Tata Motors, claim sources. They add that the creation of the separate division for SCVs has helped the company to focus better on
them and carve out a bigger pie of the market through better coordination. With September 2020 showing fair traction in the lighter CV categories at the back of e-commerce sector growth, essential commodities and rural economy, it is M&M, inform sources, that has managed to gain a small edge over industry leader Tata Motors by a small margin if the industry data were to be believed.
Ashok Leyland order for 1400 ICVs L ogistics startup Procure Box placed an order for 1400 Ecomet ICVs with Ashok Leyland. The ICVs procured would be used for fuel distribution business across 750 districts in India. With the light truck market showing the return of traction, the order by Procure Box adds to the trend visible. Expressed Raman Kandhari, Founder
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Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
Contract carriage operators struggle
and Chief Executive Officer, Procure Box, that they placed the order to further its ambition to scale up the business and address the requirements of the customer. As a logistics startup, Procure Box, along with its associates is keen to become the top fuel bowsing and gas cylinder logistics company.
ith the tourism sector taking a beating and many events and gatherings being cancelled or postponed, contract carriage operators are struggling lot. The limited numbers of attendees to whatever programmes or events that are held isn’t helping either. In states like Kerala where tourism is a big economic activity, contract carriage operators are in a particularly precious condition. The ‘work from home’ culture adapted by many companies, big and small, is also affecting the contract carriage operators, an industry source that CV magazine spoke to said. He mentioned that these operators have had their contracts getting cancelled by various corporate businesses and IT companies. The Kerala’s Contract Carriage Operators’ Association (CCOA), there are an estimated 14,000 vehicles in the state, each having a seating capacity of 16 seats and above. Maharashtra too has a sizeable number of contract carriage operators and also many other states where industries, offices and tourism make for a large share of the economic activity.
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News
TN’s women-powered autos
T
amil Nadu (TN) has introduced 13 types of solar and electric autos that would be operated by women recently. These are manufactured by M Auto Electric Mobility and feature GPS, CCTV cameras, panic buttons and
tabs. A part of the initiative to empower women and protect the environment, the solar and electric autos piloted by women involve an investment of about Rs.100 crore. Expected to generate an employment opportunity for
5,000 people, the initiative is a result of an MoU signed with MAuto in Dubai by the Tamil Nadu Government in an effort to drive early adoption of alternative fuel vehicles and the development of corresponding infrastructure.
Vehicle document Phasing out prehard copies no longer BSIV vehicles? T required
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V drivers can take solace from the fact that they do not have to carry physical vehicle documents starting October 01, 2020. The amended Motor Vehicle Rules were recently notified to facilitate digital verification of documents with an aim to curb corruption on roads. However, keeping a photograph of the documents in one’s mobile phone won’t be enough. The details would need to be downloaded from a server, in which case, the M-Parivahan
app. is a better option. It could download all documents related to the driver and vehicle, according to sources. Last year itself the Government had issued an advisory to all state transport and police departments to recognise such validated digital documents. It has now got a legal backing. The challenge, mention sources, is if the enforcement official would have hand-held devices or apps. on their smartphones to verify the details online.
Diesel sales rise
A
s a primary fuel used by a majority of CVs, diesel sales saw a 93 per cent rise in September 2020 as compared to the Pre-Covid mark. Standing seven-per cent short of the year-ago level in September, after posting a significant decline in the previous two months, diesel sales rise are said to indicate an uptick in the economy as it leaves behind the lockdown, described as
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the world’s strictest. As a key indicator of economic activities, since it is used by the transport, construction and farm sectors, diesel sales rise, after faltering in July and August due to rains and local as well as regional lockdowns, is indicative of the industrial activity gaining momentum, mentioned an industry source. Capacity utilisation in many sectors however remains low, he added.
Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
he National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Government of West Bengal to phase out pre-BSIV emission compliant vehicles, private and commercial, in a time-bound manner, claim sources. They inform that the NGT has highlighted to the Government that allowing vehicles to pollute is violation of Article 21 of Indian Constitution (Right to life). In response to a case filed by green crusader Subhas Datta, the NGT, say sources, has told the state government to accelerate the process of phasing out pre-BS IV transport or commercial vehicles such that only BSIV vehicles would ply in Kolkata and Howrah.
Interest waiver on moratorium
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n a big relief for individual and MSME borrowers, the Central Government has informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to waive compound interest on loans of up to Rupeestwo crore during the six-month repayment moratorium, claim sources. Sources also inform that the benefit of this government stand would also include those who were clearing their dues on a range of loans between March and August 2020. In its affidavit, mention sources, the finance ministry has said that it would maintain its tradition of hand holding small borrowers and bear the burden arising from the waiver of compound interest for the banks.
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Tata Motors bags military export order T
ata Motors has bagged an order to export 600 military trucks to the Royal Thai Army, claim sources. They mention that the Thai Army placed the order as they found the Tata LPTA military trucks to be rugged and easy to maintain. They also found the military trucks to be capable of fulfilling the requirements of the Royal Thai Army, they inform. Claiming that the vehicles would be used for combat duties among others, sources say that the respective vehicles, available in 4×4, 6×6, 8×8, 10×10 and 12×12 configurations, are already serving in the Indian Army since 2015. Tata Motors is known to export its military vehicles to various countries in the ASEAN, SAARC and African region.
EV components localisation deadline extended?
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he department of heavy industries has extended the deadline for the localisation of several components under its Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) for electric vehicles (EV) from October 01, 2020, to April 01, 2021, claim sources. They mention that this would provide some breathing space to the EV industry as compliance with the PMP is a
condition for availing subsidies. With the localisation plans of many EV makers getting disrupted due to the pandemic, the government move to defer the deadline is expected to help them to plan better. To avail incentives under the Rs.10,000 crore second phase of FAME scheme, EV makers have to gradually increase local components sourcing as per the PMP.
FADA new appointments
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he Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has appointed Amar J Sheth – Director, Shaman Cars India Pvt. Ltd. as the State Chairperson of FADA’s Maharashtra Chapter for the year 2020-22. The organisation has also appointed Paresh Shah, Jhaveri Motors (dealers for Honda two-wheelers) as Mumbai region director, and Jamir Ajmera, Ajmera Motors
(dealers for Ashok Leyland) and Rajesh Shah, Bhavna Motors (having dealership of Ford, Honda two-wheeler and Kia), as committee members for the Mumbai region. The newly appointed team will work on the formation of the auto policy, taxation, vehicle registration procedure, road safety and clean environment, etc., by providing their inputs and suggestions.
Birla Tyres looking for collaborators?
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irla Tyres Ltd. is in talks with multiple prospective partners both within the country and overseas for strategic collaboration, claim sources. They mention that the company is keen to collaborate in the area of technology to manufacture off-site range of tyre products in the offroad and other specialty segments such as material handling. Focusing on leveraging its past legacy to project the brand, the company is looking at raising around Rs.200 crore that will have the twin component of new equity and debt. It is revamping its Odisha facilities to maximise capacity utilisation through an innovative mix of existing and new product lines to cater to a wider audience from high value truck tyres to four-wheeler and twowheeler segments. It is also focusing on increasing its presence in off-road tyres. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in //October 2020
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News
BorgWarner acquires Delphi Technologies B
orgWarner has announced that it has acquired Delphi Technologies post the completion of formalities. With this development, BorgWarner is now better placed to cater to the needs of the industry with innovative propulsion products and systems across combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. Strengthening its CV and aftermarket business even
further, the company with Delphi Technologies to support, would now have an edge as far as electronics and power electronics products, and capabilities and scale are concerned. The acquisition of Delphi Technologies is also expected to give it an edge not just in the area of future propulsion migration, but in others and more diverse ones as well.
BS Trem-IV woes? T
he proposed BS TremIV emission norms has the tractor industry worried, claim sources. They point at the resulting cost escalation. Investments to meet the new norms, they mention, would increase the price of a typical 50 hp tractor by 25 to 30 per cent (roughly Rupees-one lakh to Rs.1.5 lakh) and dampen the market sentiments. Costs in the industry are also going up due to Covid related challenges. With the current good sales performance being attributed to government initiatives that fund almost the entire amount of tractor purchase (to encourage an early
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Government norms for alternative fuels T
he Ministry for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has notified regulations for various alternative fuels to further promote sustainable transportation, claim sources. They inform that this is linked to the specifications developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards for Hydrogenenriched Compressed Natural Gas (H-CNG) for automotive purposes as a fuel. They add that this development is also linked to the testing of H-CNG (18 per cent mix of hydrogen) as compared to neat CNG for emission reduction. The notification for amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, for inclusion of H-CNG as an automotive fuel has been published, mention sources.
CV makers remap strategies C rise in farming efficiency), sources say that the tractor industry is worried about the time it takes to test a new technology as compared to the time it takes in the case of a car. Sources also draw attention to the local development of technology and their changing usage pattern. In other news, the new emission norms have been deferred until October 2021.
Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
onfident that some segments in the CV market are starting to show some growth, albeit at the lighter tonnage end of the market, CV makers are focusing on network expansion and an overhaul of strategies concerning the product development, time to market, digitisation and exports. Battling the worst and prolonged slowdown in nearly two decades, CV makers are examining ways to stay relevant and agile beyond capex. Exploring new segments that are bucking the trend, including used vehicles, CV makers are also concentrating on building customer relations with special initiatives. Even helping the customer to drive their business to higher efficiency. Keeping an eye on segments like e-commerce, mining and road infrastructure, which are said to generate demand or are in the process of doing so, CV makers are leaving no stone unturned to attract even a seemingly small business opportunity to ensure that their suppliers and dealers stay interested.
News
e-Business Summit T
he Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hosted an e-Business Summit on ‘Integration of Energy Storage and Mobility’ recently. It incorporated discussion sessions on ‘Transformation of mobility though EV technology’ and ‘Energy Storage Advanced Technology & Manufacturing for Mobility’. Supported by the Government of Maharashtra and Telangana, the summit saw government officials and industry leaders discuss ways to integrate energy storage and mobility. Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, ITEl&C and Industry and Commerce, Government of Telangana, expressed that his state has come up with a new ‘Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Solution Policy’ to promote the use of EVs and attract investors in the green mobility sector by offering various incentives. He mentioned that the Telangana Government was developing a charging infrastructure to meet the future demand of customers who want to move to EVs. Ranjan stated that EV companies would get preferential market access to establish their facilities in Telangana. Stressing on policies and schemes favourable to
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boost efficient energy storage and mobility, Anil Srivastava, Mission director, Mobility, Niti Aayog, drew attention to the growing demand in urban mining and recycling of lithium-ion batteries. He mentioned that the Niti Aayog is encouraging investments in cell manufacturing. It is in discussion to propose direct incentives to cell manufacturers, Srivastava informed. Rajiv Reddy, Southern Region Chairman, India Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in his address said that the need is to focus on the development of material processing capabilities with desired quality to supply to an advanced storage manufacturing ecosystem. He spoke about an early adoption of electric mobility. Mayank Jalan, President, ICC, in his address mentioned that the Government is working on various schemes and policies to boost demand for EVs. He said that the Government, with the aim to generate one lakh jobs by 2023, is looking to increase the number of electric vehicles registered in the state to 5,00,000 by 2023. Revealing about generating investments of over Rs.25,000 crores, Abhishek Krishna, Joint CEO, MIDC, said that a manufacturing unit set up in A & B areas with a fixed capital investment
Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
of Rs.250 crores or employing 500 persons will be classified as a mega enterprise under the EV policy. In other areas, a unit with Rs.100 crores investment or employing 250 persons will be classified as a mega enterprise, he informed. Stating that a manufacturing unit with a fixed capital investment of Rs.1500 crores or employing 3000 persons anywhere in the state would be classified as an ultra mega project, Krishna averred that MSMEs and large units will receive incentives at one scale higher than other units. Recognising the importance of EV charging infrastructure, the state is also focused on incentivising it,
expressed Krishna. He said that public EV charging stations would be eligible for a 25 per cent capital subsidy on equipment and machinery. A policy is being put in place that would encourage common charging points in public parking lots and petrol pumps at no additional cost, he revealed. The Government of Maharashtra, Krishna said, is also creating a charging infrastructure with multiple charging points in public places. Its EV policy is aiming at providing incentives to the EV buyers with a 10 per cent subsidy on passenger buses registered in the state and a 15 per cent subsidy on first 1,00,000 electric vehicles like bikes, autos and cars.
Cover Story
Ashok Leyland ‘Bada Dost’
‘Bada Dost’ marks a significant shift at Ashok Leyland with global aspirations to boast of. Bhushan Mhapralkar
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PHOTOS BY DEVEN LAD
early a decade after the Dost LCV was launched in association with Nissan, Ashok Leyland has introduced an all-new LCV called the ‘Bada Dost’. As the name would suggest, the new vehicle builds on the legacy of the ‘Dost’, but is keen to chart its own route. With the pictures failing to do justice to its appearance and dimensions, the ‘Bada Dost’ is indeed quite ‘Bada’ or bigger than the ‘Dost’. It is in flesh that the visual expanse of the ‘Bada Dost’ is apparent. Wider (1750 to 1842 mm), taller (2061 to 2037 mm) and longer (5025 mm) than the Dost, the rounded ‘grilleless front profile of the ‘Bada Dost’ with those ‘Dost’-like (albeit bigger) head lamps makes a solid impression. An Ashok Leyland’s IPR product compared to ‘Dost’s’ IPR, which has certain limitations since it includes Nissan association, the ‘Bada Dost’ picks up from where the ‘Dost’ and ‘Dost+’ leave. There is a slight overlap when one considers the ‘Dost+’ and the 2.9-tonne GVW variant (with a 1460 kg payload) of the ‘Bada Dost’. However, beyond that there is little that is there to consider. The ‘Bada Dost’, as Nitin Seth, the chief operating officer of Ashok Leyland would like to put it, is all-new. Blurring the gap between the segment that the Tata Intra, and the Mahindra Bolero is in, the ‘Bada Dost’ may point at a similar strategy that Ashok Leyland deployed when it introduced the ‘Dost’ in 2011. Seth however is of the opinion that the market placement of the ‘Bada Dost’ is based entirely on the market requirement. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // October 2020
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With nary a component except the engine and gearbox having been borrowed from the ‘Dost’ or the ‘Dost+’, the ‘Bada Dost’ makes a positive first impression. The bigger version of the vehicle – the one with a GVW of 3.49-tonnes and a payload of 1860 kg, is the more interesting of two. It reflects the word ‘ambition’ rather effectively, and gives the impression of being way
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ahead of products that exist in its category or are comparable. Getting uncomfortably close to vehicles that have a long legacy in a way, the ‘Bada Dost’ has been positioned such that it will leverage the reputation earned by the ‘Dost’, ‘Dost+’ and the Partner. First product to emerge out of the Phoenix LCV architecture, the LCV aims at plugging the gap between the ‘Dost’ and the Partner, which
has a GVW of 6.25-tonnes and a 3760 kg payload. If the head lamps and the tail lamps the only visual connection with the ‘Dost’ and ‘Dost+’, the ‘Bada Dost’ looks modern. Attributes like the flush fitted door handles and the plastic cladding enveloping the wheel arches add to the styling effort. With no ‘bonnet-like’ styling element of the ‘Dost’ to take care of, the new LCV displays a
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‘proper’ forward control stance. The cab sits over engine in a way. Access to the engine is by removing the seats as the cab is not tiltable. Begging for a new name given its property of being all-new, and against the aging perception of the ‘Dost’, the ‘Bada Dost’ marks an important step in the journey of Ashok Leyland in its efforts to insulate itself from the increasingly cyclical turn of the Indian CV market. With M&HCVs the most affected, Ashok Leyland is logically keen to gather a higher share of the LCV market, which, according to Seth, is already on a rebound. The young team at Ashok Leyland developed the
new vehicle on a new platform in a span of 24 months. If the name ‘Bada Dost’ was a strategic decision, the development of the new platform (codenamed Phoenix) was with demanding briefs like loyalty and customer satisfaction. The ‘Bada Dost’ Powering the 2.9-tonnes as well as the 3.49-tonnes ‘Bada Dost’ is a modified version of the 1.5-litre common-rail threecylinder turbo-diesel engine borrowed from the ‘Dost’. The modifications include the addition of BSVI componentry, an inter cooler to aid higher boost pressure, and a fuel
injection system (from DelphiTVS and Bosch) that operates at higher bar pressure. The ‘Bada Dost’ engine develops 80 hp over the ‘Dost’s’ 58 hp. Employing an electronic turbo waste gate and a catalytic converter (this one has escaped the SCR circuitry), the new LCV also employs a modified version of the ‘Dost’s’ five-speed manual gearbox with cable shifting mechanism. The powertrain is placed longitudinally between the two long members of the frame with the drive going to the rear wheels through a propeller shaft and a rigid live rear axle. The front track measuring 1580 mm and the
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rear track measuring 1495 mm, the new LCV, unlike the ‘Dost’s box chassis, sports a ‘C’ section ladder frame with riveted cross members and other sub chassis components like the leaf spring mounts, etc. Easily accessible and on the left is the jack attached with two fasteners to the long member. This saves space in the cabin. Also, the air
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cleaner has been placed under the cargo tray just aft of the cab on the right to aid easy reach and servicing. With attention to details, the ‘Bada Dost’ promises scaleability that the ‘Dost’ could not offer. There-in perhaps lies the capability of the Phoenix architecture, which is a Ashok Leyland IPR. Flaunting slightly higher kerb weight than that of the ‘Dost’ and ‘Dost+’, the ‘Bada Dost’ has a maximum torque rating of 190 Nm (@1600-2400rpm). That of the ‘Dost’ is 157 Nm. To handle Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // October 2020
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higher torque and power, the five-speed manual transmission (outsourced to AVTEC and RSB) having been suitably modified on the new LCV. The cargo tray (measuring 2860 mm in the three-tonne version called as the i3, and measuring 2950 mm in the 3.5-tonne version called the i4) of the ‘Bada Dost’ points at the vehicle’s overall versatility and its ability to comply with various application requirements. Capable of springing some weird and
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unique applications like a mobile kitchen, dispensary or a library, the ‘Bada Dost’ is designed to support Ashok Leyland’s thrust in not just the Indian market but also in the markets where the competition is going to be far more fierce. With a day cabin that has been engineered such that the rear wall could be cut and the vehicle transformed into a cargo van or an ambulance, the ‘Bada Dost’ offers good space inside. The ‘B’-pillar having been
strengthened suitably to support transformations like a cargo van or an ambulance, according to Seth, the ‘Bada Dost’ profits from having its gear shifter located in the centre console. Mentioned Seth, that this LCV can officially seat three people. A modern dual-tone dashboard supporting Ashok Leyland’s endeavour to provide a car-like look and feel, the ‘Bada Dost’ features power steering and air-conditioning (on the higher LX trim). The instrument panel is fully-digital.
cover story Vendors support the ‘Bada Dost’ Coming from a homegrown CV player, the ‘Bada Dost’ is backed by a robust supply chain. Working closely with its suppliers, which involved an investment in six robots, Ashok Leyland has focused on achieving superior components and aggregates quality, on least defect in the product, on lowest warranty costs, and a product that meets global standards such that the LCV is able to compete against Japanese players. The vendors that participated in the development of the ‘Bada Dost, include Bosch, DelphiTVS, Schaeffler, Tata Autocomp, Apollo Tyres, Dana, Spicer, AVTEC, Brakes India, Mahle, Kems, Ceat, Talbros, Bharat Forge, Rane-NSK, RSB, Sanden, Harita, Gabriel, Polyhose, JBM, Jai Springs, Mayur Industries, ALF Engineering, Prabha Automotive Engineers, IJL, Padmini VNA, Steel Stripes Wheels, Sharda Motor, and Alicon among others.
Apart from the gear shifter and the blower switches, the centre console, finished in black, also contains a 12V charging socket. If the dual glovebox adds to the equation, the lack of head rests is apparent. This class of CV does not get it, we are told. However, with so much attention on safety and scalablity, the supply of head rests for the driver and co-passenger would elevate the ‘Bada Dost’s’ standing a good deal. Having an USB port to facilitate mobile charging, the cabin of the new LCV is ergonomically well-sorted. It is capable of encouraging to get the owner-operator to take his wife and child out in the vehicle after business hours. ‘Bada Dost’, ‘Bada’ ambitions Expressed Seth that the owneroperator in this segment is not bothered as much about the initial acquisition cost, what he wants is a vehicle that would present him with a car-like feel and look. Manufactured Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in // October 2020
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on a dedicated ‘robotised’ line at the Hosur plant, the ‘Bada Dost’ shares the final assembly line with the ‘Dost’, ‘Dost+’ and ‘Partner’. Its cab is built by 12 (Kuka) robots and sans any human intervention. The windshield too is ‘pasted’ by a robot. Drawing an investment of Rs.350 crore, according to Vipin Sondhi, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, the ‘Bada Dost’ is about closer tolerances and new manufacturing practices. Supporting Ashok Leyland’s global ambitions to become
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the top 10 CV player in the world, the vehicle is engineered to comply with future crash norms. Reflecting a good ability to cheat the wind and deliver better fuel efficiency, the ‘Bada Dost’ has been bench marked against similar offerings from Toyota, Hyundai and Kia, according to Seth. It is bench marked against the Hyundai H100 and Kia 3700, he added. If the now defunct association with Nissan triggered a cultural and engineering change, the
development of Phoenix architecture, and in-turn the ‘Bada Dost’, the first vehicle to roll out of the architecture, good amount of scalability has been factored in. Not modular, according to Seth, even though if the architecture will spring different models, different body styles, support different fuel modes (CNG as well as electric), the ‘Bada Dost’ is destined to go to Ashok Leyland’s existing and new exports markets. Depending on the requirements over there,
cover story it would turn itself into BSIII, BSIV or BSV equivalent model line-up. In India, it will be BSVI emissions compliant. Riding on 15-inch wheels and 215/75R15 LT tubeless tyres, the ‘Bada Dost’ development has seen six robots being installed at its suppliers’ to ensure an ability to compete overseas. Equipped with two-stage leaf springs with double acting shock absorbers at the front, and with semielliptic two-stage leaf spring suspension with double acting shock absorbers at the rear, the new LCV has a high ground clearance of 206 mm. Fitted with a 50-litre fuel tank, the vehicle will be rolled out in CNG in the next eight to 12 months, according to Seth. It will have the same base engine as the diesel model. At the wheel The most striking is the fullydigital instrument cluster and the centre console with the gear shift lever. The two contribute to the car-like feel and look. Apart from the gear shifter and air-vents, the centre console houses blower and AC switches. The three-spoke steering feels good to grip. Its angle of rake and the ability to be tilt-adjusted helps to achieve a commanding yet comfortable driving position. The ample glass area helps in terms of visibility. The ORVMs are just the right size. With good attention to ergonomics and comfort, what draws attention is how an effort to achieve a fine balance between car-like ambience and truck-like hard wear-ability has been exercised. Priced upwards of Rs.7.75 lakh, the ‘Bada Dost’ is devoid of any vibrations in the cabin. This reflects good refinement. The engine noise does not climb
up to a lever where it could get annoying. Taking off with a hiccup, the good gear shift quality and light clutch action are apparent. Generating a positive first impression thus, the new LCV is quite manoeuvrable. Its turn circle is quite compact and aids. Developing good traction in the first and second cogs, the LCV attains speeds in the region of 50 to 60 kmpl with ease. What strikes however is the need to shift gears more than one would expect to maintain momentum. It is not very pronounced but noticeable enough especially in the third and fourth gears. It is even more noticeable when the AC is on. We drove the ‘Bada Dost’ on the roads of Navi Mumbai to better understand it. We piloted it on the Palm Beach road, through
the crowded streets of old Nerul, over the Nerul flyover connecting the east and the west, and over the rough and ‘under concretisation’ roads of Nerul’s industrial area. The final ratio fine-tuned to achieve an amicable balance between performance and fuel efficiency as per the gentle folks at Ashok Leyland, the ‘Bada Dost’ somewhere seems to carry the baggage of ‘Dost’s’ reputation for superior fuel efficiency. Nothing wrong in that as long as the buyers of the new LCV find it suitable to address their business needs, the ‘Bada Dost’, at the end of the day, comes across as a versatile CV. With good road manners to boast of, with good braking ability to boast of, the ‘Bada Dost’ will be offered in seven states as of now. It would be
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retailed and supported through the same LCV channel as the ‘Dost’. This, according to Seth, includes 113 dealers and 570 outlets. With the Phoenix platform on which the ‘Bada Dost’ is based poised to rollout new CVs every three to fourth months, albeit in the domestic or international markets, the ‘Bada Dost’ comes fitted with an LSPV valve (located right next to the differential). The export market ones will get an NVH package, ABS, air-bags, power windows, central locking, fog lamps, traction control, AMT and a 4x4 version as well.
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Product development and dealer support Developed on the Phoenix architecture, the ‘Bada Dost’ has on its broad shoulders the responsibility to enable Ashok Leyland to increase its LCV market share from the current 34 per cent to 65 per cent. According to Sondhi, the company commands 40 per cent of LCV market share in India with the ‘Dost’, Partner and ‘Mitr’ (range of light duty buses). ‘Made in India, made for the world’, the ‘Bada Dost’ saw registration of 10 designs. Subjected to extensive testing and validation over a distance
of 10 lakh km, the vehicle has been introduced at a time when its manufacturer is looking at all aspects of its business through the ‘Reset’ programme. Already practicising the principals of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, the CV maker is confident that the demand for LCVs will pick up. With over 3.5 lakh ‘Dosts’ already operating on Indian roads, the dealers, with a hope that the new LCV providing a better earning potential, are geared up, according to Seth. Their addressable TIV is set to go up by more than 2x, he mentioned.
FROST & SULLIVAN and THE ENERGY AND RESOURCES INSTITUTE (TERI) Initiative Recognizing Excellence in Sustainable Development 2020 MEASA Edition
28th August 2020 | Virtual Awards Ceremony
Congratulations to all the Award Recipients! SUPER ACHIEVERS AWARDS Navi
Reliance Industries Limited
Mumbai
MEDIA PARTNERS Sustainable Corporate of the Year Award
Mondelez India Foods Private Limited
Mumbai
Sustainable Corporate of the Year Award – 1st Runner up
ITC Limited
Bengaluru
Sustainable Factory of the Year Award
Genpact India Private Limited
Gurgaon
Leaders Award – Mega Large Business, Service Sector
Vedanta Limited – Cairn Oil & Gas Division
Gurgaon
UPL Limited, Unit 1
Ankleshwar
GAIL (India) Limited
Noida
Henkel Adhesive Technologies India Private Limited
Navi Mumbai
Leaders Award – Large Business, Process Sector
UPL Limited, Unit 2
Ankleshwar
Leaders Award – Large Business, Process Sector
LEADERS AWARDS
Hindustan Coca–Cola Beverages Private Limited Siliguri
Leaders Award – Mega Large Business, Process Sector Leaders Award – Mega Large Business, Process Sector Leaders Award – Mega Large Business, Process Sector
Leaders Award – Medium Business, FMCG Sector
CHALLENGERS AWARDS Challengers Award – Mega Large Business,
Shree Cement Limited
Beawar
Utkal Alumina International Limited
Rayagada
UPL Limited, Unit 0
Vapi
Challengers Award – Large Business, Process Sector
Budni
Challengers Award – Large Business, Process Sector
UPL Limited, Unit 4
Halol
Challengers Award – Medium Business, Process Sector
Pantnagar Metal Plant – HZL
Pantnagar
Challengers Award – Medium Business, Process Sector
Vardhman Fabrics – A Unit of Vardhman Textile Limited
JURY SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS Vardhman Fabrics – A Unit of Vardhman Textiles
Process Sector Challengers Award – Mega Large Business, Process Sector
MS. SUTANUKA SARKAR SutanukaS@frost.com Budni
Winner
Vedanta Limited – Cairn Oil & Gas Division
Gurgaon
1st Runner up
Century Pulp & Paper
Lalkua
2nd Runner up
Hazira
Safety Excellence Award – Winner
Pantnagar
Safety Excellence Award – 1st Runner Up Award
Limited
For Media Enquiries: MS. PRIYA GEORGE priyag@frost.com
SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARDS L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering Limited – Modular Fabrication Facility, Hazira Pantnagar Metal Plant – HZL
For More Information, Contact:
@Frost_MENASA @Frost_Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan – MEASA
@teriin
TERI – The Energy and Resources Institute
#sustainability4.0awards
MS. AASTHA MANOCHA aastha.manocha@teri.res.in
https://ww3.frost.com/event/calendar/sustainability-40-awards
All images are for representative purpose only.
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Stayin’ Alive Confident of growth returning to the CV industry, factors like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and the uptick in rural economy are set to play a role.
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young entrepreneur, Sachin Pawar (name changed on request) operates a micro-unit at Pune’s Bhosari MIDC about a stone’s throw distance from the Tata Motors’ plant. His enterprise makes precision machined parts for various manufacturing industries in the region, including Tier 1 suppliers to the big auto
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Bhushan Mhapralkar makers in the region. Enjoying a good business outlook until 2018, Pawar is currently finding it tough to keep going. With business down by over 75 per cent of what he used to do until 2018, he is finding the tax compliance burden a tad high since beyond that and the payment of salaries and the fixed overhead costs he is almost left to put money out of his pocket. If he breaks even, he
is happy. Clearly remembering that he was contemplating exploring a new business opportunity by buying a minitruck in 2015, Pawar is currently inding it difficult to even stay afloat. The sudden lockdown, which is termed as the strictest, changed the complete scenario, he said over the phone. The closure of his unit for two months followed by a local lockdown in the region have
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taken a toll. The fear of Covid-19 looming yet, Pawar rued that I have seen my business plummet even as the thought of tapping a new business opportunity by purchasing a mini-truck does not go out of my mind. It has been one big downhill journey, he averred. Hoping that the business environment will improve over the mid- to long-term, Pawar is hoping that the Government supports MSMEs like his in a big way. Isn’t ‘Atmanribhar Bharat’ about it, he remarked. The announcement of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative has found appeal with India’s MSME sector, which contributes about eight-per cent of the GDP. It has provided them with a hope amid news like the 23.9 per cent GDP drop in the first quarter of FY2020-21. Supplying pump parts to companies like Kirloskar Brothers, Pawar is hopeful of the uptick in the rural economy helping him to sustain the chain of things. Even as he finds new ways to cut costs (he has moved to an
accountant who charges less), Pawar is not very happy with the prospect of a significant rise in the cost of doing business. His situation is not very different from the many road transporters out there. It does come as a surprise therefore that a big consolidation drive is currently on in the road transport and the MSME sectors. Many businesses are shutting down and are ceasing to operate. As
the Government makes efforts to bring down the freight rates by promoting railways and other means of transport, it is the smaller road transporters that are fast disappearing. They are not finding even footholds to stay in business it seems. If the redefining of the MSME definition by the Government would help, it is a question that small entrepreneurs like Pawar are finding it difficult to get an
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answer to. It is another initiative that is linked to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, the principals of which many businesses in India are already practising. MSMEs included; road transporters included, and the CV industry included too. ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ Announced against the backdrop of an escalating border row with China, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ is structured across five pillars – economy, infrastructure, system, demography and demand. Linking the MSME sector, it has thrown open the prospect for this sector as well as many other businesses having a turnover in the same range (the turnover bracket has also been revised along with redefinition) enabling them to register themselves with the government as a micro, small or medium-scale unit. Thus including small and mid-sized truck and bus operators as well, the redefining of MSME means a transport business thus, with
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Prakash Javadekar, Union minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.
an investment of Rupees-six to Rupees-seven crore, could now register itself as a small-scale unit which in the earlier scenario was termed as a mediumscale unit. A transport business investing around Rupees-one crore and having a turnover of around Rupees-five crore will be called a micro-unit, expressed Vijay Kumar, Director, MSME Development Institute, Ministry Of Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises, Government of India. A (transport) industry with an investment of Rs.10 crore and
a turnover of Rs.50 crore will be called as a small scale industry, he added. The one with an investment of Rs.50 crore and a turnover of up to Rs.250 crore will be called as a medium-scale enterprise, he explained. The change in MSME definition is also said to be linked to the Rs.20 trillion financial package announced by the Government against the background of the pandemic. The Government is also said to be working on yet another stimulus package based on infrastructure, system, demography and demand revival, mentioned a source on the condition of not revealing his identity. Kumar also drew attention to the Government’s evaluation of the auto industry and if it would revive itself by a reduction in GST. It was at the 60th Annual Convention of SIAM in September, that the Union minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Prakash Javadekar announced, “The Central Government is
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evaluating the recommendation of the auto industry to reduce GST rates by 10 per cent across all categories of vehicles.” At the same event, Rajan Wadhera, President, SIAM, expressed that steep investments for (implementation of) upcoming regulations and the commensurate revenues have not been realised due to the lack of consumer demand. Rural economy The uptick in the rural economy could have a positive effect of reviving the economy. By driving the agricultural supply chain, according to an industry observer, it could also help the CV industry realise growth in the mid- and long-term. Said to support 60 to 70 per cent of the country’s population, rural economy is claimed to account for 46 per cent of the GDP. With nearly 100 million farmers known to have received Rs.40,000
Rajan Wadhera, Senior Advisor, Mahindra & Mahindra and Ex-President, SIAM.
crore as income support through ‘Kisan Samman Nidhi’, the uptick in rural economy is certain to help the CV industry. Mentioned an analyst that he is confident of the uptick in tractor sales spilling over to the CV industry as well. From what we have been seeing, trucks catering to the agriculture sector, especially LCVs and ICVs, will see a faster rebound, he quipped. Mentioned Nitin Seth, COO, Ashok Leyland, that the
LCV market is counter cyclical to the M&HCV market. The LCV market is already rebounding, he added. The lighter CV segments are expected to post better gains on the basis of a good rainfall and the on-going efficiency improvements in the agricultural supply chain as compared to the M&HCV segments. CVs of various types and creeds are expected to gain in the e-commerce space due to significant shift towards online purchasing. Supporting demand for last mile, first mile and express (line-haul) delivery, CVs are helping the e-commerce sector to address supplyside disruptions and largescale reduction in aggregate demand. Drawing attention to the country’s sizeable young population with access to internet, an analyst mentioned that it is e-commerce that would create a demand for faster, safer,
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comfortable and reliable vehicles that support lower TCO and faster TurnAround Time (TAT) against the backdrop of initiative like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. As the subtle winds of reverse globalisation amid the US-China trade war blow, it is e-commerce sector that will also support the early arrival of electric CVs, he added. Mentioned Rajaram Krishnamurthy, Vice President Marketing & Sales, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, that the CV industry growth is being fueled by e-commerce demand, road infrastructure projects and the rejuvenation of the coal sector. “‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ is one of the initiatives,” he added, “that is also fueling growth.” Mid- and long-term growth prospects Drawing attention to Delhivery’s purchase of Volvo trucks for its e-commerce and express
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Nitin Seth, COO, Ashok Leyland.
B2B needs, a Delhi-based analyst said that the promise of higher efficiency and other improvements is helping overcome hurdles like higher initial acquisition costs. It is also shifting focus to lower TCO and faster TAT while also driving the much needed modernisation in the CV industry. Betting big on Government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), according to Satyakam Arya, its managing director
Rajaram Krishnamurthy, Vice President Marketing & Sales, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles.
and chief executive officer, is investing in India. The CV maker recently signed a MoU with the Tamil Nadu Government to invest Rs.2,277 crore towards expansion of its Oragadam plant generating another 4000 jobs approximately. Emphasising on higher local content, the CV maker is also driving a programme where its vendors have been supplying parts to Daimler sites the world over. “Growth may have tapered
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globally, but it is a passing phase,” said an industry observer as he underlined how exports and overseas focus of the CV industry would help it to reap good dividends. The only marker where Daimler chose to float a dedicated brand in the form of BharatBenz, according to Arya, growth is what they are witnessing as the ‘unlockdown’ starts. “We are witnessing good demand for used BharatBenz trucks immediately after kicking off the used vehicle business,” averred Krishnamurthy. As its fifth-largest market, the Daimler Group is confident of a strong growth of the CV industry in India. In the case of homegrown CV makers, Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, it is not a different story. As they explore newer markets outside of India,
Satyakam Arya,Managing Director and CEO, DICV.
supported by the principals of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, which they have been practising much before the term was coined by Prime Minister Modi, the CV makers are charting out a strong growth strategy as they explore new avenues at home too. Expecting early arrival of electrification, the CV makers are looking at how they could
invest further in technology to tide over the forthcoming regulations as well. Poised to profit from the reduction in GST, the Indian CV makers are pursuing a strategic alternate fuel path to ensure an ability to compete with the best at a cost that is lower than those in the advanced markets. In the case of VE Commercial Vehicles, the company is claimed to take a two-pronged strategy to forward its interests. Practising the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ principals for long, the CV maker has been driving exports to neighbouring countries as well as the African region. It has also gained a foothold in the Middle East and Far East Asian markets. Arrangements like the manufacture of a UD brand of light truck at its Pithampur plant has put it in good stead.
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Leveraging its relations with Volvo to supply it with BSVI engines out of the VEPT plant at Pithampur, VECV is also making good use of the knowledge of the Swedish Group to expand to new markets as well as target new segments in the domestic market of India. The recent announcement of the merger of Volvo Buses India with Eicher’s bus business speaks highly about how the five pillars of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ are coming to influence businesses. ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ for suppliers Consider the example of Nippon Paints India, which caters to various STUs and CV makers like Ashok Leyland, SML Isuzu, Tata DLT, VECV, Tata Motors, and Daimler India. Suppling paint and refinish solutions to the Indian auto industry, the company, taking to practice the principals of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ for long has come to support Nippon Paint
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Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
Group AR activities across 32 markets in the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and African regions, up from 10 market in 2014. Since its establishment in 2011, Nippon Paints India has been combining research and development with in-depth local market understanding to provide end-to-end solutions for virtually all kinds of paint and non-paint needs of car refinishes, commercial vehicles and light industrial coatings segment. Delivering paint solutions that not only enhance the productivity, profitability and efficiency of body shops among others, the company is running a Global Colour Centre at Gurugram, which creates tens of thousands of new colours annually. The paints made at the Bawal plant of Nippon are also supplied to Australia and Nepal as well. Looking at companies like Nippon Paints India, it is clear that most Indian auto components suppliers are
already practising the principals of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The industry, which is estimated to be USD 307.7 billion worth, is, according to Deepak Jain, President, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), planning to triple total component exports from India to USD 45 billion over the next five to seven years and secure a four-to-five per cent market share of the global auto components trade. The global auto components trade is estimated to be worth USD 1.3 trillion. In-line with what Jain said, an industry observer mentioned that the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has proposed shortand-long-term measures to turn India into a manufacturing hub for auto components and air conditioning under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. One of the key measures, he informed, includes a thrust to empower the Indian auto
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components sector to target five-per cent of the global auto components trade. With companies like DICV already hand holding their suppliers to supply to other Daimler sites around the world, the Indian auto suppliers are well-poised to add colour to the prime minister’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative in a true sense. It is they who would be a key contributor to the midand long-term growth of the auto industry in India, said an industry analyst. He also drew attention to the scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) for automotive electronics and
Deepak Jain, President, ACMA and Chairman & Joint Managing Director at Lumax Industries Ltd.
EVs. Stating that the DPIIT has suggested the inclusion of the auto components industry under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) in the long-term to help them to turn out high advanced components locally and achieve
high-value addition capabilities, the analyst stressed that the mid- and long-term growth story of the Indian auto industry is something that will propel it to a grander scale in term of abilities, expertise and technology. A word of caution however, he said, is the need for the Government to hand hold the supplier industry so that it could eliminate gaps in competitiveness, costs, quality, technology and capability. Especially in the area of materials like special auto-grade steels and electronics, he added. The Indian auto industry is said to import roughly USD 2.5 billion worth of electronics and special auto-grade steel every year.
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Cover Story
Tata Intra V30 The Tata Intra V30 looks set to make a mark for itself. Bhushan Mhapralkar
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Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
A
ttractive it looks in a shade of metallic blue. With those 14-inch diameter wheels painted in black, it stands tall. Neither small nor big enough to find itself in the thick of the 3.5-tonnes pick-up truck segment, this one is all set to contribute to a part of the commercial vehicle sphere in India that recorded the sale of an estimated 6.5 lakh units in FY2018-19. No mean feat indeed. Creating a pull with its looks, the vehicle being referred to fits snugly into a segment that is fast emerging. It is a segment that is looking at bridging the gaps and addressing the dynamic market requirements without losing attention to the many regulations that have come home to roost, and many that are on their way. Positioned in a category that is brushing uncomfortably close to the 3.5-tonnes pickup truck segment, this vehicle
Cover Story has a premium air about feel. The chrome sprinkling on the front fascia marks the lead. Also do the ‘raised eyebrow’ clear lens headlamps and the well-sculpted grille. The bumper below is not a sorry alternative, but a real one, replete with lines, curves, taut surfaces and an air dam. On either side are fog lamp enclosures that contribute to its handsome looks. Building on an all-new platform, the vehicle flaunts a GVW of 2.5-tonnes and a payload of 1300 kg. Leveraging the experience and knowledge from offering the Tata Intra V10 and Intra V20 (they were launched in 2019), this vehicle that we are referring to all this while is the new Intra V30 indeed. Standing still it somehow looks bigger than the V10 or the V20. The reason perhaps could be 20 somehow. The reason perhaps would be its bigger cargo tray dimensions, its longer wheelbase over the
V10, and the overall dimensions. With a GVW of 2.5-tonnes, the Intra V30 is the latest handsome looking kid on the block. If it is not the smartest, it is quite handsome for certain. Reflecting a generation gap between the trucks available until now, the Intra V30 has a distinct forward control cab stance. The modern look of the truck is clearly supported by its robotic build. Robots make the cab with little human intervention. This has an effect on the fit and finish. Highlighting a design element that translates into elegance, the cabin of the Intra V30 is a key element in the chain of components and aggregates that presents it with this property. The pictures seem to fail to do justice to its visual mass or the presence that it commands on the road. It is definitely bigger and beefier than the pictures can convey. Ironic isn’t it? Measuring 4460 mm in
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length, the cargo tray of the vehicle measures 8.8 ftx5.3 ft. The ladder frame below is made up of hydroformed long and short members, and substructural parts. Minimal welding, according to Tata Motors, ensures that it is structurally quite strong. Powering the truck is a 70 hp 1.5-litre BSVI diesel engine mated to a five-speed gearbox. The engine is located longitudinally under the seats
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with the drive going to the rear wheels through a live axle. The front suspension is made up of five-leaf springs and the rear suspension is made up of eight-leaf springs. Engineered to serve various applications, including e-commerce, dairy, and agricultural produce, the Intra V30 has an upmarket feel about it. Get behind the wheel and the first impression is that of space. The cabin feels spacious.
According to Tata Motors, it is of the walk-through variety. Hinting at an effort to achieve a fine balance between form of function, the cabin makes a positive first impression. The simple yet elegant dashboard draws attention first and foremost. It conveys an upmarket feel, and has as its part, a fully-digital instrument console. The stereo unit at the centre of the dash with round-
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shaped AC vents on either side, set in a plate that is the colour of the vehicle. Highlighting a rare style statement, the other two air vents at the respective dashboard corners also have their ‘surrounds’ the colour of the vehicle. The quality of the louvres in the vent however is a letdown. Their fit and finish standards are clearly not on the page as that of the other trim bits or visible parts. They don’t look very hard-wearing either. Something that is expected of
a truck, first and foremost. The controls for the blower and AC are situated at the centre. Air-conditioning is optional. The location of the gear shifter in the centre console frees up floor space in the cab. It adds an acute sense of airiness, contributed further by the large glass area. If the open storage space at the top and a lockable glove box underneath make the dashboard complete, the seats look well-shaped and are made of good fabric quality. They have integrated headrests, which is
very welcome. Ergonomically well-engineered, the cabin of the Intra V30 comes across as a place where the driver or the owner-operator will not hesitate spending hours driving. He or she would not regret taking out their spouse post the business hours in the Intra. Why are we saying this? Trucks in this category are known to find such a use too as the primary vehicle and bread earner of the family. The comfortable and spacious cabin has its parking brake placed such that the
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driver could lie down and rest between loads. There are two seats and a cushioned pad in between. The three-spoke steering is good to grip and the various controls are within easy reach. They require no straining or discomforting manoeuvre. The steering is electronically assisted. Almost as modern inside as the outside, there are two switches on the lower right corner of the dashboard. Two of these switches govern the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration and ‘eco’-drive function. The ‘eco’ switch could
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Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
be engaged to extract higher fuel efficiency by altering the engine map when running on partial load or returning empty. The DPF switch, at the other end, is linked to BSVI technology that this truck possesses. It is about periodic cleaning of the DPF when the light on the dashboard calls for it. All that the driver has to do is to take the vehicle off the road and idle it for a few minutes until the soot has burned. Riding on 185 R14 wheels, the Intra V30 also comes with a real-time fuel efficiency coaching feature,
which indicates the gear the vehicle is in. An arrow appears besides it to indicate that it is time to up-shift in the interest of fuel efficiency. Every time the arrow appears on the LCD screen, a chime also sounds. The chime is both helpful and annoying at times. Featuring LED tail lamps, the Intra V30 has some very thoughtful touches that the driver and owner-operator will appreciate. The placement of the air cleaner for example, which makes it easy to service it and the placement of the
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battery. The spare wheel is placed at the rear, under the cargo tray. Boasting of a high ground clearance of 175 mm, the truck provides very good visibility. The central rear-view mirror helps keep an eye on the cargo stacked at the rear as well as what other vehicle is following. The ORVMs are just the right size. Turn the key and the truck wakes up to settle down to a steady idle. An early impression is that of good refinement. Get going and it feels sprightly. The controls are easy to operate and the quality of gear shift is comparable to that of a car. What works in favour is the effortless steering. It may feel a shade light at times (and very rarely), it has an element about it that drastically alters the driving experience.
The well-configured gear ratios also contribute. Even with the AC on (the October heat can get unsettling in Mumbai), the truck did not seem to lose its sheen. With the AC off, the truck felt quite energetic. With roughly 1300 kg worth of water bottles occupying the cargo tray, the Intra V30 did not seem to lose out on driveability. On the Palm Beach Road of Navi Mumbai, the Intra V30 kept up with traffic without difficulty. With its top speed limited to 80 kmph, it impressed with its ability to feel agile and energetic. Pointing at a widening generation gap between it and the vehicles in its category that were launched earlier, the Tata Intra V30 is priced Rs.6.91 lakh exshowroom onwards. Scoring well in performance, the truck points
at a good form factor. It highlights Tata Motors’ chief designer Pratap Bose’s hand at penning a new design language for CVs, and in the process, dares to call itself a smart truck. Without losing sight of its prime function as a cargo carrier, the Intra V30 hints at an ability to support its buyer in an increasingly challenging business environment. The rise in fuel costs, toll taxes, various other taxes, compliance costs and various other overheads are not easy challenges to deal with. They are perhaps compounded by efforts to lower the freight rates. Moving in a world that is tougher and more vulnerable to unprecedented challenges than it was when the Tata Ace was introduced in 2005, the Intra V30 looks set to make a mark for itself.
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All images are for representative purpose only.
Special Report
Impact of Covid-19
The IRU report on Covid-19 impact on passenger and freight transport underlines much pain and loss of over Euro 551 billion.
A
s the world limps back to normalcy, the impact of Covid-19 is becoming more and more clear. Severely impacting the commercial road transport industry, the virus, as per a report released by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) recently, chronicles considerable loss and pain. Closely monitoring the situation as it evolved, the IRU report has assessed the impact of the virus on passenger and freight transport companies from 78 countries across six continents. It has put the collective loss suffered by passenger and freight
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Deven Lad
Special Report
transport companies at Euro 551 billion. Incorporating factors like restrictions and facilitation measures, the report puts the downfall in annual turnover globally of the goods transport industry at 18 per cent. Stating that the worst off was the passenger transport, the report underlines the loss of over Euro 80 billion in Europe. It also underlines the revenue downfall of 57 per cent. Pointing out that the transport and movement restrictions resulted in severe disruptions to supply chains and mobility networks, the IRU report draws attention to the ripple effect it caused. The overall economic slowdown it has led to. Leading to a significant slowdown in the transport industry, severely affecting the operating finances of the transport business (apart from revenue and cash flow), the effect of the economic downturn in the aftermath of Covid-19, as per the report, has resulted in the
transport industry witnessing many players inching closer to bankruptcy. Highlighting the role of road transport as a driver of economic and social activity the world over, the IRU report has highlighted considerable risk from Covid-19. Impact on global road freight transport With the goods road transport industry recording an estimated average decline in the annual turnover by 18 per cent in the first four months
of 2020, various factors like movement restrictions, health screening and border controls, and closures in multiple countries have been underlined by the IRU report. The report estimates economies of 78 countries to be the most hit. It also states that India is facing 0 to 10 per cent decline whereas China is facing a drop of over 30 per cent. Europe, the report estimates, is facing 17 per cent decline, and in Asia Pacific (APAC) region, a decline of 21 per cent. The lowest decline is Commercial Vehicle october 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
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Special Report IRU
Turnover impact by region on road freight transport – FY 20202
ER IC A
ER IC A
2
In Europe, the estimated average Estimated decline for passenger road transport in annual turnover for 2020 is currently -57%.
AM
UT H
AP AC
SO
EU
EU
RO
PE
RA SI A
AM
•
-72B€ (-12%)
-64B€ (-17%)
-22B€ (-18%)
-29B€ (-20%)
-338B€ (-21%)
Estimation based on 78 major economies
•
• -20B€ (-22%)
Estimated impact on road freight turnover in FY 2020 as of April 2020
BUS & COACH INTERCITY
BUS & COACH TOURISM
COVID-19 Impacts on the Road Transport Industry
Responses to COVID-19 from governments
Exemptions on rules governing driving and resting times Extension of driving licenses and certificates
Top restriction measures
• •
Impact on 2020 passenger transport turnover segment (as of 22 April) impact on road freight turnover inby 2020 BUS & COACH URBAN/LOCAL
7
Top facilitation measures A
AR AN
N
SU
O
RT H
BSA H
COVID-19 impacts pacts don European road ort passenger transport -6B€ (-11%)
IRU
EN
Intelligence Report
M
6
COVID-19 Impacts on the Road Transport Industry
AF RI CA
U
5
TAXI
Causes Ban of public transport and international movements across Europe, with the highest impact on the tourism sector.
Additional controls at border crossings and insufficient implementation of “green lanes” Mandatory truck convoys Systematic quarantining of drivers
The first implementation of measures started in mid‑March, mainly driven by China and neighbouring countries as well as European countries.
Share of restrictions vs. facilitation measures
30+1+252714S 15%
-42%
Most impacted Bulgaria, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
-60%
Restrictions on movements (goods & passenger)
31%
Political responses cover a wide range of measures, with restrictions outweighing facilitation measures. There was an incremental increase of restrictions over time.
Border restrictions (border closure, checkpoints etc.) Facilitation measures (driving & resting time rules, Green Lanes, exemptions etc.)
28%
-70%
Procedures concerning transport (quarantine, health checks, documents etc.)
26%
-82%
Number of restrictions and facilitation measures COVID-19 impact on road passenger transport
Impact on FY 20201
-81B€ (-57%)
act on FY 2020 nover) 1 European Union (27) + UK, where the road freight annual turnover
0% represents 1% of the nominal GDP
n 21% and 30%
n 11% and 20%
n 0% and 10%
being faced by North America -80% at 12 per cent and Sub Saharan Africa at 11 per cent. Reporting that some countries announced -73% facilitation measures like -61% -40% exemptions-53% on rules governing -63% driving and resting times and -50% extension of driving licenses -36% and certificates, the IRU report -92% also mentions that these were rendered less effective by -55% additional controls at border crossing and insufficient implementation of ‘green lanes’, mandatory truck convoys and systematic quarantining of drivers. Working to drive the recovery in the world’s economies and communities by keeping drivers, workers and transport users safe, the IRU report states, supply chains and mobility networks are an essential part of the economy and an effort should be made to ensure their operating smoothness and to ensure that road transport operators stay in business. Geographical coverage: IRU member countries with available information in order to estimate the impact on road freight turnover
Above 80% Between 61% and 80% Between 41% and 60% Between 21% and 40% Between 0% and 20% No data
56
-70%
Commercial Vehicle october 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
per cent for intercity and 82 Impacts on European per cent for tourism. The taxi road passenger segment witnessed a decline transport of 60 per cent. Facing a loss of up to Euro 81 billion, the road transport Restrictions and industry in Europe took quite measures a hit. As per the IRU report, The implementation of causes like a ban on public measures and restrictions transport and international 16 Mar–22 Mar 9 Mar–15 Mar 23 Mar–29 Mar 30 Mar–5 Apr 6 Apr–12 Apr beginning in mid‑March have 13 Apr–19 Apr movements across Europe 2 Mar–8 Mar 1 wave: 2 wave: Implementation Extension of been detrimental to the led to a downturn of about of measures measures + new countries from GCC, Americas health of the road transport 57 per cent. The highest industry. Especially given the impact was on the tourism Geographical coverage: IRU member countries Source: IRU Flash Info monitoring. Info based on membership information. monitoring info started on 2 March manner in COVID-19 which the virus has sector. Data gathered from spread from China to other the European Union (27) and parts of the world. Crucial in UK, where the road freight responding to the crisis as annual turnover represents it gathered a notorious form one per cent of the nominal and function in many parts of GDP, IRU found out, Belgium the world, the road transport and Italy were the least industry is now struggling affected at 36 per cent and to survive, states the IRU 40 per cent respectively. report. It mentions that The most affected were restrictions on movements Bulgaria, Spain, Sweden and (goods and passengers) the UK at 92 per cent, 70 have had a 31 per cent effect, per cent, 80 per cent, and border restrictions have had 73 per cent respectively. As a 26 per cent effect whereas per the report, the impact on the share of facilitation passenger transport turnover measures like driving and segment-wise, in the bus resting time rules, green and coach industry, is 42 per lanes, exemptions, etc., has cent for urban and local, 70 st
nd
Special Report
ntelligence Report
IRU
19 impacts pean road ger transport
Impact on 2020 passenger transport turnover by segment
BUS & COACH URBAN/LOCAL
BUS & COACH INTERCITY
BUS & COACH TOURISM
COVID-19 Impacts on the Road Transport Industry
Responses to COVID-19 from governments
COVID-19 Impacts on the Road Transport Industry
ponses to ID-19 from rnments
7
TAXI
The first implementation of measures started in mid‑March, mainly driven by China and neighbouring countries as well as European countries. Political responses cover a wide range of measures, with restrictions outweighing facilitation measures.
-42%
-60%
There was an incremental increase of restrictions over time.
-70%
tal increase . -73%
31%
28%
Restrictions on movements (goods & passenger) Border restrictions (border closure, checkpoints etc.) Facilitation measures (driving & resting time rules, Green Lanes, exemptions etc.) Procedures concerning transport (quarantine, health checks, documents etc.)
Share of restrictions vs. facilitation measures
30+1+252714S 15%
Number of restrictions and facilitation measures
-80%
Restrictions on movements (goods & passenger)
31%
r a wide h restrictions measures.
30+1+252714S 15%
26%
-82%
n of mid‑March, rt and as well
Share of restrictions vs. facilitation measures
Border restrictions (border closure, checkpoints etc.) Facilitation measures (driving & resting time rules, Green Lanes, exemptions etc.)
28%
Procedures concerning transport (quarantine, health checks, documents etc.)
-61%
-40%
-53%
26%
-63%
-50%
facilitation measures
-36%
-70%
15 Mar
16 Mar–22 Mar 1st wave: Implementation of measures
ember countries
23 Mar–29 Mar
had a 28 per cent effect. Procedures concerning -92% transport (quarantine, health checks, -55% documents, etc.) have had the lowest effect at 15 per cent as per the report. Putting the number of restrictions on movements between March 16, 2020, and March 22, 2020, to 24, when the first Covid-19 wave was visible, the IRU report states that the development led to 30 Mar–5 Apr 13 Apr–19 Apr 6 Apr–12 Apr 2 wave: a fair amount of disruption. Extension of nd
measures + new countries from GCC, Americas
9 Mar–15 Mar 2 Mar–8 Mar
16 Mar–22 Mar
23 Mar–29 Mar
1st wave: Implementation of measures
30 Mar–5 Apr
6 Apr–12 Apr
13 Apr–19 Apr
2nd wave: Extension of measures + new countries from GCC, Americas
Geographical coverage: IRU member countries
the second wave. In contrast, The second wave between Source: IRU Flash Info monitoring. Info based on membership information. COVID-19 monitoring info started on 2 March procedures concerning April 13 and April 19 saw the transport, highlights the number of restrictions on IRU report, have not seen movements rise to 81. Border a significant change. They restrictions, 47 during the amounted to 35 during the first wave, rose to 69 during first wave. During the second the second wave. Facilitation wave, they amounted to 35, measures averaged 30 in the rising to 40 eventually. first wave and rose to 74 in Commercial Vehicle october 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
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Special report
Reddy Customs ambulance
Reddy Customs has entered the medical vehicle sector. Deven Lad
P
une-based Reddy Customs has been in the commercial vehicle bodybuilding industry for the last 20 years. It has built vanity vans, officeon-wheels and motorhome type of bodies on trucks, buses and vans. Gauging the rising potential of the medical vehicle sector, it has taken to building ambulances. It has built 20 ambulances on the Force Traveller chassis and is building another 280 ambulances. These conform
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Commercial Vehicle October 2020 // www.commercialvehicle.in
to the National Ambulance Code (AIS-125) and would be supplied to various hospitals in the current financial year. To provide 300 Force tempo traveller 3350 hightech ambulances in total in the current financial year according to Srinivas Reddy, CEO, Reddy Customs, the ambulances will help to address the emergency infrastructure gap. The ambulances are expected to address the gaps exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic as
it spreads across India and ravaged mega cities as well as smaller cities and towns alike. Taking the decision to enter the ambulance building space after witnessing the rise in mortality rate due to the unavailability of ambulances to take the patient to the medical centre in time, Reddy averred that he was also moved by the undue advantage taken by private ambulance service providers by charging heavily
special report during the pandemic. Known to overcharge the needy even at other times, private ambulance operators have been taking advantage of the shortfall in ambulances despite many efforts being undertaken to address this problem. Of the opinion that the medical vehicle sector was ignored by OEs and various other stakeholders in the commercial vehicle industry for some reason or the other, Reddy is clear about the type of ambulances his enterprise would build and supply to. In this regard, Reddy Customs is approaching hospitals and investors. Confident of offering its high-tech ambulances at highly competitive rates, Reddy is talking to various companies with a vision to create an ambulance network that is well connected and highly effective in addressing the needs of the end-user. Taking to build ambulances in the Force Tempo Traveller T1 chassis with a seating
capacity of 10 people apart from the patient, Reddy Customs is paying attention to the operating as well as the maintenance part as well. It is keen to ensure that the ambulances it offers do not lead to high maintenance and running costs. It has, in this regard, decided to not touch the drivetrain or the driveline, which it feels is robust and highly reliable. The 115hp, 2.6-litre common-rail diesel engine mated to a five-speed gearbox is thus the basis for the ambulances. Reddy Customs is also not in favour of carrying out excessive changes to the monocoque structure of the vehicle. Economies of scale? Refraining from modifying the suspension either, and in the interest of reliability and cost, Reddy Customs is concentrating on a high-tech ambulance that is low on cost. Stating that a typical ambulance that they have taken to build will cost no
less than Rs.17 lakh, Reddy explained that their endeavour is to offer ambulances at a far more competitive price. To achieve this without crimping on the essentials is going to be tough no doubt, Reddy Customs, however, is confident. It is confident that it would be able to offer its ambulances at a cheaper rate to hospitals. With 20 ambulances at various stages of manufacture, Reddy Customs is also ironing out any teething troubles that are coming its way as it gears up to mass-produce such vehicles. With an eye on achieving economies of scale, the company is building the ambulances under Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) guidelines. The ARAI guidelines classify ambulances in categories like medical first responder, basic life support ambulance and advanced life support ambulance. Claiming to be capable of building either type of ambulance as
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Special report per the need of the buyer, Reddy Customs is accordingly making the necessary changes to its infrastructure at Chakan. To provide in-built sanitisation system for hygiene and safety, the ambulances the company is building, will be highly effective in their duty, announced Reddy. He said, “Our two demo ambulances will prove this point. We will take them to hospitals and even let those who we feel are potential buyers to experience them.” Keen to ensure that the ambulances it builds provide real-life and real-time benefit to the end-users as much as they support the business of their operators, Reddy Customs is taking a very cautious approach to what features and facilities should be incorporated and what should be left out. Of the opinion that there is no point in providing facilities or features that are hardly used and in the process increase the weight of the vehicle, it is best to concentrate on facilities that are prime to an ambulance, mentioned Reddy. The right ambulance Featuring an exhaust fan, wash basin, a cabinet for storing medical consumables, separate doctor’s seat with a lap belt, squad bench for paramedic staff or relatives, sidewalls reinforced to mount ventilators, suction pumps, among others, Reddy Custom carried out a survey about how well-equipped many existing ambulances are. What they found startled them. They found out that a majority of ambulances available with the hospitals are not wellequipped. They also found out
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Srinivas Reddy, CEO, Reddy Customs.
that the ambulances lacked proper facilities onboard. After a considerable evaluation of what the current ambulances offer and what is necessary, the company decided to enter the space and build hightech ambulances that are also cost-competitive. Said Reddy, “We are making sure that the ambulances we build will be of superior quality and have the latest technology in terms of equipment.” Conducting an audit of its infrastructure in regard to the plan to mass-produce ambulances, Reddy Customs is at the other end talking to as well as consulting various stakeholders in an attempt to anticipate the future of such vehicles. Of the opinion that
the current manufacturing facilities are unable to support the demand for manufacture of the number of ambulances needed, Reddy quipped that there is immense scope of new players to enter the space and produce quality ambulances. Drawing attention to the National Ambulance Service, under which the government runs close to 25,000 units in India, Reddy averred that the number of ambulances run by private operators, social and political organisations, and NGOs amount to a little over 10,000 units. Announcing that there is an acute shortage of ambulance service in the country, he said that theirs is not a profit-making project. “It is service-oriented and being pursued in the interest of proper medical facilities being given,” Reddy added. Against the backdrop of the pandemic and how it has exposed some of the worst flaws of our health care mechanism, players like Reddy Customs are poised to once again highlight the role of CVs -albeit special application CVs, in the smooth running of this country.
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In focus
Banking on the festive season CV dealer, Kamal Motors, is banking on the festive season to clock good sales. Deven Lad
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raditionally a good monsoon and the festive season consisting of ‘Dusshera’, ‘Eid’, ‘Navratri’, ‘Diwali’ and Christmas among others have been the harbinger of good auto sales. It is perhaps on this basis that Kamal Motors, a Tata CV dealership based in the Mumbai region, is banking on
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the forthcoming festive season to clock good sales. The first quarter of the current financial that began on April 01, 2020, has been a complete washout almost. The monsoon, against the shadow of Covid-19 pandemic, brought with it floods to many parts of the country, damaging property and lives in many cities, towns and villages. Pinning its hopes
on the festive season, Kamal Motors, according to Tejpal B Ailsinghani, its managing director, is following even the smallest developments in the CV industry with much interest. Confident of clocking good sales in the festive season, the dealership, according to Ailsinghani, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that
in focus footfalls increase. As a sales and service outlet for Tata Motors, which is a full-range player, Ailsinghani is taking note of the fact that LCV sales are showing some positive movements. Following the shift in public behaviour against the spiking numbers of Covid-19 positive persons, India having quietly overtaken Brazil in early September, Ailsinghani is banking on the rising preference for e-commerce. It would mean a greater demand for e-commerce CVs that do line-duty, last mile, express, etc. Braving the slowdown by digging into its experience spanning over two-decades, the dealership re-drew its strategies and ways of doing business during the low period.
Customer loyalty and support Receiving good support from its principal, Kamal Motors also profited from customer loyalty during the low period of the first quarter this fiscal. It re-drew its plans in the wake of the development where sales plummeted and the dealership had to turn to service and spares as an avenue to beat the blues. If AMCs helped, the fact that the dealership has built a band of loyal customers from the Ace mini-truck to the heaviest CV offering from Tata Motors, aided a route to survival. Revealing that they have never seen nil revenue business month in their 20 years of being in this business, Ailsinghani, averred that they
overcame the challenge to retain their manpower and keep them motivated through various employee support measures. Betting big on a sharp recovery during the forthcoming festive season, he mentioned that they have started getting inquiries from the time the ‘unlockdown’ started. “Some of these we are able to convert in sales,” he added. Highly active in this field since 2002 when it started a Tata LCV dealership at Vasai, in the extended Mumbai region, Kamal Motors has been a dominant player. With its headquarters at Nerul, Navi Mumbai, the dealership has come to have five sales offices, three service centres and one stockyard. Having sold over 40000 CVs since
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In focus
to good sales, he is hoping for a strong mid- and long-term momentum.
it started, the dealership has enjoyed uninterrupted growth. Gaining momentum The pandemic and the subsequent lockdown perhaps being the biggest interruption ever, Kamal Motors focused on building new opportunities during the period. It prepared itself for a healthy mid- and long-term growth. “Rather than feeling dejected we re-aligned our strategies to serve customers as they re-started their operations after the lockdown,” said Ailsinghani. “We have been observing an improvement in sales since June,” he added. Of the opinion that it is the pandemic that has been the
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Tejpal Ailsinghani. Managing Director at Kamal Motors.
biggest disruptor, and not the shift to BSVI, Ailsinghani, informed that ever since sales have shown growth, they have been monitoring the situation closely. Hoping that the trend continues well into the festive season, and leads
Gunning for growth Stressing that business has been growing since the ‘unlockdown’, Ailsinghani said that they are witnessing a pull in the e-commerce and FMCG segments. “The demand for LCVs, pick-up trucks, and to an extent even the HCVs has seen some gain in traction,” he added. Touching on the operating costs a dealership like theirs typically incurs on a day-to-day basis, Ailsinghani revealed that Tata Motors provided good support during their low period. “The company helped us in
in focus managing schedules, and in conducting virtual customer meetings,” he quipped. Drawing attention to the driver unavailability as a factor, Ailsinghani mentioned that they could tide over the low period because of the relationship they have built with their customers. Hinting at a shift in customer expectations, he averred that service has turned out to be their backbone for revenue in the wake of slowing sales. Kamal Motors’ workshops, informed Ailsinghani, enjoy good patronage of its customers with 70 per cent of them availing the services regularly. Stating that they are experiencing an improvement, he remarked that they have been observing the health guidelines strictly to ensure the safety of their employees
as well as the customers. “We continuously check the happenings at the shop as well as the workshop. We are strictly following the WHO and Government guidelines,” said Ailsinghani. With an employee strength of 400, Kamal Motors is having 80 per cent of its staff in attendance. This, despite the non-operation of the suburban trains in Mumbai since April 2020. Witnessing the attendance of 70 per cent of the sales staff, the dealership is enjoying good support of its employees. “Our assurance to our staff that we will retain them has us getting good support from them as we restart our operations and gain strength,” said Ailsinghani. Expecting to close the current financial
year with a fair performance achievement, Kamal Motors is hoping that the overall business environment improves sooner than later. A lot would depend on how the movement of people and goods takes place, said Ailsinghani. It would also depend on infrastructure projects, he added. Quite optimistic about a healthy mid- and long-term growth prospect of the CV industry, Ailsinghani said, “We feel that the MHCV, LCV, ICV, Pick-Up and Cargo segments will gain good traction in the coming months.” “We, on our part, are connecting with customers from ‘Nakas’ (local truck hiring points ), FMCGs and e-commerce goods operators to ensure that we leave no stone unturned on our way to success,” he signed off.
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Industry talk
BharatBenz growth story Challenges don’t seem to dampen the Daimler India growth story in India.
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he maker of BharatBenz commercial vehicles, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) is perhaps the only commercial vehicle manufacturer in India at the moment who has started a third shift at its Oragadam plant at Chennai. It is also expanding its network in newer regions of the country. Having chalked out a plan to grow its BharatBenz truck and bus dealer network by 10 per cent along the
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Deepti Thore Golden Quadrilateral, DICV is poised to exceed the count of 250 outlets by the end of 2020. At the core of the strategy is to cut down the distance between two BharatBenz dealers by a distance of 120 km from the current 160 km. Adding over 1300 vehicle bays, the expansion of the dealer network will support the servicing of 40,000 vehicles per month. This would be in-line with the company reaching the milestone of
selling one lakh CVs in India early this year. Ensuring that all its customers have easy access to its products and services, according to Rajaram Krishnamurthy, Vice President Marketing & Sales and Customer Services, DICV, the BharatBenz growth story, it is clear from the turn of events, has remained more or less intact. Announcing that the company achieved double digit growth in August 2020 on a year-on-year basis,
Industry talk that they are experiencing a good amount of changes in customer behaviour. This includes the impact on the industry of a few major negative influences, he added. Facing many downturns in the past few months, the CV industry in India is being influenced by a GDP that is expected to remain subdued for some time at least. Unemployment has been rising, and the diesel prices have gone up a good Rs.10 almost in the last few months. On the contrary, the freight rates have remained low.
Rajaram Krishnamurthy, Vice President -- Marketing & Sales, and customer Services, and Customer Services, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles.
Krishnamurthy expressed that the number of BharatBenz owners continue to grow every day. “We are proud to grow with them,� he added. Witnessing a significant growth in the domestic Indian market post the introduction of BSVI CVs, DICV is confident about good growth in the Indian market. Of the opinion that India is turning out to be an ideal manufacturing
hub for global exports, Krishnamurthy averred that they are witnessing good traction in the used CV market. With the year 2020 showing a CV market degrowth of 45 per cent over 2019, it is unlikely to witness recovery for another three quarters at least. Hopeful of recovery starting to show from the second quarter of 2021, Krishnamurthy said
Customer behavioural changes Drawing attention to the consolidation of the customer base, which includes the bigger and organised players too, Krishnamurthy informed that they are witnessing significant customer behavioural changes off late. He pointed at the optimisation of logistics costs in terms of the demand shocks, hardly any willingness to expand capacity, and a rise in expectations in terms of the ownership experience. Stating that customers are becoming more demanding, Krishnamurthy said that DICV is in response to it, focusing on product superiority. It is connecting with its customers and stakeholders in regards to sales and service, and leveraging its digital marketing tools to ensure an enriching experience overall, he added. In India for eight years, DICV launched its BSVI truck and bus portfolio in January 2020. It announced then that it has leveraged its position as the top CV maker
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Daimler India has started a third shift at its Oragadam plant.
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in the world to develop BSVI technology that would ensure lower TCO and superior reliability. The company also announced at this juncture that it would at the end of this year reveal its alternate fuel strategy for this market. Driven by the commitment to go cleaner and greener, Krishnamurthy emphasised on ensuring that its customers are able to earn more profit from their operations. Stressing on the subject of expanding its touchpoints, he added that his company is focusing on product development. “We have prioritised factors like low maintenance, high savings, unmatched reliability and value,” said Krishnamurthy. Putting drivers at the core of their activities as the most important link, DICV is
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continuing to also focus on safety and comfort. It is of the opinion that safety and comfort are the two factors that would most affect the ability of the driver to drive more, and to ensure lower TCO as well as an ability to turnaround faster. Upgrading its CVs inside-out rather than just replete them with BSVI technology, the company has been witnessing good conversions since April 2020, according to Krishnamurthy. The announcement of the used CV business in August 2020 has ensured that there are a lot of inquiries for used trucks, he said. Fuel efficiency, comfort and productivity Of the opinion that the performance of BharatBenz CVs are well accepted, Krishnamurthy explained
that their trucks have already covered 82,000 kilometres and customer feedback has been highly positive as far as fuel efficiency, comfort and productivity is concerned. Referring to his company’s many product offerings, he said that their offering of ‘fleet-consulting’ to big fleet customers through BharatBenz Excellenz has added significant value. Truckonnect is another, he added. Providing connectivity and consulting solutions for fleet optimisation and route
Industry talk
Daimler India is focusing on dealer network expansion.
optimisation, DICV has been working with its customers to ensure that they achieve better profitability. It is in this endeavour of its partnership with HPCL, it has developed the ‘Dieselaabh’ programme, according to Krishnamurthy. This programme offers a flat discount to BharatBenz customers on every litre of diesel they purchase for their BharatBenz CV. Claiming that this particular programme proved to be quite helpful to its customers during the pandemic as they could also ensure that their drivers were not stranded without food and accommodation, Krishnamurthy stated that they have been getting good response for their online initiatives for parts. The ProServ app., he said, is a one-stop solution enabling customers to schedule services, see the maintenance of the trucks, order parts along with many other features. Customer first Announcing that the BharatBenz financial and insurance program are contributing to the smooth running of customers’
business and BharatBenz CVs, Krishnamurthy averred that the company would soon launch a campaign that would focus on resale value. Mentioned Reetvik Marwaha, Business Head – West, DICV, that they are getting good traction in the western region, which on an average contributes about 27 per cent of the total CV industry volume in India. He informed that the company has 54 touchpoints in the region. With a strong customer base in the region with the likes of FedEx, Marwaha said that the company has been successful in convincing its customers in terms of technology, efficiency and faster turnaround. Stating that they are hopeful of demand reviving in the tipper segments, Krishnamurthy said that their health and safety campaign across the last few months has been very successful. In the western region, we serviced and checked over 4500 vehicles, said Marwaha. Reaching close to 1000 customers and drivers virtually to educate them about the use of BSVI technology, DICV, averred Krishnamurthy, is concentrating on service as a
way to reach pre-Covid levels quickly. Deriving around 19 per cent of the total industry volume in India from the eastern region, the company, according to Arghadip Roy, General Manager, DICV, said that they are witnessing traction in tippers in the respective region as operations in mines and at other construction sites are re-starting. He revealed that most buyers in the east are first time users, and either individual or small fleet operators. They are thus vulnerable to financing difficulties and some other challenges. Serving its customers in the eastern region through 51 touchpoints, DICV is also leveraging its ability to reach its customers and drivers virtually. Especially in areas that can at times be hard to access. Having engaged with over 700 customers virtually during the last six months in the eastern region and having serviced over 2500 CVs, including their sanitisation, DICV is witnessing growth in the organised end of the used vehicle market in the country. Acknowledging the fact that many transporters
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Daimler India is putting customers at the core of all that it is doing, may they be into mining or into haulage.
are exiting their businesses, Krishnamurthy said that a significant change in the road transport industry is underway. “The good part,” he said, “was that many transporters were turning to them for used vehicles.” “Compared to 2019, we are actually doubling our used vehicle business. Many big fleet operators want a cleaner and greener truck and are approaching us for our BSVI truck in exchange for their BSII and BSIII trucks,” he added. Fleet utilisation Witnessing an improvement in fleet utilisation, Krishnamurthy mentioned that over 30,000 trucks visit their workshops every month for service, which is not much far from the levels in the pre-Covid times. Offering good support during the lockdown, including ‘Claims Settlement’ relief by fast-tracking the process from four weeks to few days, DICV, said Krishnamurthy, has added four more touchpoints across India recently. He claimed that his company is working with its customers to train drivers
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and help them tide over the challenge of driver shortage. “With the consent of the drivers, we have shared driver details with our customers,” informed Krishnamurthy. Of the opinion that ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ is one of the few indicators that are helping the return of the growth to the CV industry, he said that e-commerce growth and the return of road building speeds to near pre-Covid levels would ensure good demand. Stressing on their focus on localisation since the very beginning, Krishnamurthy averred that our tag line is ‘Made in India, Made for the world’. Revealing that they have developed the first Covid mobile clinic on a 1015 BharatBenz truck, the first of which was handed over to the Ministry of Health recently, Krishnamurthy said that scrappage policy has the potential to revive demand in the CV industry. It is also good for the environment, he added. Informing that the company has been preparing for the day when the policy would be announced so that it can chalk
out a suitable growth strategy, Krishnamurthy said that his company has already begun engaging with transporters, dealers and various other stakeholders to ensure a front runner advantage. Stating that most trucks that will be scrapped once the policy is announced would be non-BharatBenz as these trucks would be no more than eight years old, Krishnamurthy said that they are committed to their customers in India. Stressing that India is the only market where Daimler has a dedicated brand for the respective market, he averred that their growth story is intact and moving in the right direction. Apart from moving in the domestic market with the BharatBenz brand, DICV has been exporting CVs (under the Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso brand) to various regions of the world. It is also exporting components to its sites around the world by hand holding its suppliers to reach the expected quality and efficiency levels.
International
The Lion of Brunswick The Lion of Brunswick has a special place of honour on MAN trucks. Milan Olsansky
Stylised Brunswick lion as a logotype for Munich MAN vehicles.
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nimals adorning the emblem of an automobile manufacturer is not new or isolated. They could be linked with what inspired an automotive brand, its history or the history of the origin they belong to. The most common form of animals that have adorned the emblems of automobile brands include a horse, lion and a snake. To a human mind, these are powerful creates; even mythical to an extent. The Pegasus for example, or the giant snake adorning of emblem of Alfa Romeo, which is said to have been inspired from Biscione Visconteo, the coat of arms of the city of Milan and of the Visconti family that ruled it in medieval times.
Like the snake adorning the emblem of Alfa Romeo or the ‘red’ horse adorning the grille of a Ferrari, the grille of M.A.N trucks and buses have a lion as an emblem. It looks mystical to say the least, and coming from the Munich-based CV major it arouses much curiosity. This curiosity is whether the lion in question is the lion associated with knight Brunclik? If it has a cardinal connection with the people of Czech Republic? If it is the same lion that knight Brunclik saved? It is the same lion that came to accompany the brave hero for the rest of his life? The final resting place of this lion came to be the coat of arms of the knight. And, as the legend would have it, this lion came to grow a double tail after the knight accidentally cut him with a sword in two
Two-tailed lion in the coat of arms of the Czech Republic.
Complete logotype of MAN vehicles from 1986.
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The lion from Braunschweig weighs 880 kg and has a wall thickness of 12 mm.
Knight Brunclík, resp. his statue at Charles Bridge.
in a bitter fight with a dragon. The reference to this is found in Alois Jirásek’s (important Czech writer, 19th and And 20th. century, 1851 – 1930) writing in the Legends of the Christian Age. There’s a chapter ‘About Bruncvík’. Proven history Starting with what is clear and provable, M.A.N was established in 1908. In less than seven years it began to produce trucks (1915), which gradually became its main production stream. As part of various acquisitions of competing manufacturers, M.A.N. in 1969 acquired a share in the car factory
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The head of a statue of a lion from Brunswick, cast by Henry the Duke of Bavaria and Saxony.
Büssing (founded in 1903 by Heinrich Büssing). Büssing was established before WW1 in Braunschweig as a truck building company. It built its diesel engine for trucks in 1930. It built its first truck with a flat diesel engine located between the two axles, and under the superstructure in
1936. In 1934, Büssing took over the company NAG - Neue Automobil Gesellschaft. In 1962, it acquired a company called Borgward. In this company, Büssing produced military four-tonne 4x4 cars before selling it in 1968 to Faun-Werke GmbH. Pioneering horizontal
International to the monumental statue of the king of animals, the castle is also known as Burglöwe (Lion’s Castle). Considered as the oldest and largest preserved medieval statue north of the Alps, the Brunswick lion is also the first figural composition of the end of antiquity. Information about who cast the statue is not to be found, but a masterpiece it really is. There is room to believe that it was a master directly from Brunswick. Weighing about 880 kg, the statue is 1780 mm high and 2790 mm long. The maximum wall thickness is 12 mm. As part of the preservation of the original sculpture, what stands today is a successful copy at Burgplatz in Braunschweig. Various replicas of the Brunswick lion statue can be found both in Germany (for example Goslar, Lübeck, Schwerin) and abroad. Victoria and Albert Museum London for example. And, the Harvard University, USA, for example too.
A number of replicas of the famous lion statue from Braunschweig, such as this one in front of Blankenburg Castle, are located all over Germany and beyond.
The Brunswick lion gradually found its place at the top of the MAN vehicle markings.
‘underfloor’ diesel engines and supplying military vehicles during WW2, Büssing also manufactured buses successfully. Over time, it developed strong ties with M.A.N. In fact, M.A.N was its customer and used to source vehicles as well as parts. In a turn of events, M.A.N, in 1971, announced that it was taking over Büssing. By doing this, M.A.N came to use the lion logo on its newly named ‘MAN-Büssing’ trucks. Apart from an opportunity to grow its production capacity, M.A.N, through Büssing, also got to use the lion logo, referred to as Braunschweiger
Löwe (Braunschweiger Löwe). Coming to M.A.N as the original icon of the city of Brunswick (German: Brunesguik, later Braunschweig), the lion emblem came to adorn the grille of all the vehicles manufactured by the company in due course of time. As for the lion statue, it was cast in 1166 by Henry the Lion of Brunswick, Duke of Bavaria and Saxony (1129 – 1195), as a symbol of his power, authority and jurisdiction. It was placed on the Burgplatz (castle square) in front of Dankwarderode Castle and Brunswick Cathedral. Thanks
Legends and myths Diving into orders, stories and legends, Henry, the Duke of Bavaria and Saxony, came across a lion fighting a dragon on his way to Jerusalem. He joined the lion in his fight. The lion then accompanied his savior for the rest of his life. This legend was popular in Germany, Holland, Denmark and Sweden. There were modified versions of the same story too in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Russia. But these are not the original, and come from the French legend of the knight Yvain. According to the Czech legend, the knight Bruncvík
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The Brunswick lion is the oldest and largest preserved medieval statue north of the Alps. It is also the first figural composition of the end of antiquity.
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(also called Brunclík) was the son of the Czech prince Žibrid (according to another version of prince Štylfryd), who conquered the eagle emblem for the country. However, Bruncvík decided to get a better coat of arms. Therefore, with a large retinue, he set out into a world where he experienced various adventures and fought all sorts of exotic animals and monsters. Among other things, he saved the life of a lion by killing a terrible dragon. For his bravery, he received a lion in the Czech coat of arms. Yet another legend has it that Bruncvík obtained a miraculous sword at King Olibrius’s castle, which would knock down the heads of all enemies upon request. The sword was lost after Bruncvík’s death. The legend of Přemysl Otakar II is also connected to this, according to which the monarch threw his sword into the Vltava in front of cheering Praguers after the victory over the Hungarian king. There is a presumption that a variant of Bruncvík’s name – Brunclik, could have come from the German form of the name Přemysl (or Prunzel). There are also a number of ‘true’ tales about the double tail of the lion. Whether it is the Brunswick lion as the animal acquired in Czech heraldry in the thirteenth century is tough to say. Whether it is the Brunswick lion who remained in the small and large coat of arms of the Czech Republic to this day is still not the most convincing. Not really, and there lies the catch. .............................................................. CV is an associate member of the International Truck of the Year (IToY). As part of this association, the magazine provides exclusive articles, written especially by IToY jury members.
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With the acquisition of Büssing, the Munich MAN also acquired a stylised lion from Braunschweig in its logo.
In the most modern design (MY2017), the lion is placed in a black box inside a chrome bar, which frames the mask of MAN TGX trucks from above.
International
The Daimler Kamaz Rus strategies A new cab factory commissioned by the joint venture between Daimler Group and Kamaz points at an interesting arrangement. Gianenrico Griffini
A Mercedes-Benz Actros and a new long-distance Kamaz. The two vehicles have the same cab structure. However, the exterior differs. So to do the interior layout and driveline components which, in the case of the Kamaz, include a 6-cylinder, in-line Liebherr engine and an automatic ZF TraXon 12-speed gearbox.
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t first, it feels nondescript and even a little lonely for a manufacturing complex. A typical Soviet era structure that resembles a fort almost, it speaks about the country’s industrial prowess and more. It looks indestructible most of all,
and is home to Kamaz. In what could be termed as an interesting development Russia’s CV industry, the joint venture between Daimler Group and Kamaz Rus has commissioned a new factory adjoining this fort-like structure at Chelny, Tatarstan, Russia. Turning
out non-identical twins, the new factory is actually a cab manufacturing setup. With a production capacity of 55,000 units a year when fully functional, the facility has begun manufacturing Mercedes-Benz Actros and Arocs cabs, and cabs for the Russian manufacturer’s new
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truck ranges. In fact, German technology has joined forces with Italian design at Naberezhnye Chelny in Tatarstan (Russian Federation). Built with an investment of Euro 200 million, the new cab factory has 700 employees. The MercedesBenz Actros and Arocs cabs it has begun turning out would be sold in the Russian Federation as Kamaz manufactures MercedesBenz Actros and Arocs as part of the joint venture in that fort-like seemingly indestructible manufacturing complex. The new-generation lorry cabs the factory has begun to turn out along-side shares the basic structure with that of the Actros and Arocs cab. These (Kamaz) cabs have been designed by Turin-based Torino Design. Flaunting smart looks outside
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and inside by Torino, the Kamaz new-generation cabs would be fitted to lorries used for distribution, long-haul operations and quarry as well as construction site activities. Over the earlier generation Kamaz cabs that were said to have been based on the Mercedes-Benz axor cabs, the new-generation Kamaz cabs, sharing their architecture with the current generation Actros and Acros, mark a significant leap ahead in design, technology, ergonomics and application-ability. Made to tighter tolerances, the new cabs for Kamaz premium line of lorries speak about a certain engineering progress. They also speak about a leap in assembly sequences for all components. Spanning 59,600 square metres on the historic Kamaz production premises, the new cab factory
has 120 robotic workstations designed for sheet welding and assembly operations and a high-tech painting department, created by the specialist German company Dürr. 3D printers have also been installed for the production of plastic spare parts. Operating under the Daimler Kamaz Rus JV, the new cab factory, according to Stefan Buchner, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks worldwide marks another key element in Daimler’s strategy to be close to its customers and to continuously strengthen its market presence around the globe. “With the new cab factory we have set a benchmark in the Russian market – to the benefit of both our customers and our Joint Venture partner Kamaz,” mentioned Buchner. “This plant,” he added, “is one of the most innovative facilities in the
International
The laboratory for dimensional tests on cabs.
Russian automotive sector.� Outlook for growth With over 500 articulated lorries used to transport the equipment for the new facility from Europe to Chelny, the production site works closely with the Mercedes-Benz facility in WÜrth (Germany). Representing another step in the global expansion of the Daimler Group, the new cab factory of Daimler Kamaz Rus is said to reflect Daimler Group’s long-standing association with Kamaz and the commitment to the Russian market. Kamaz, as an undisputed leader in heavy goods vehicles in the Russian Federation, is certain to profit from the ability of the new-edge and attractive looking cabs to draw its customers amid a shift in market requirements and
expectations. With Kamaz confident of the positive developments in terms of sales volumes growth in the Russian market over the mid- and long-term, the new cab factory accounts for an ambitious plan to carve out a niche in the receptive yet demanding mid- and the heavy-duty truck market in the Russian Federation. This, despite the uncertainties relating to the economy (the growth of GDP for this year was revised downwards against the global slowdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic), the fluctuations in the EuroRuble exchange rate (OneEuro is roughly equal to 72 Rubles), and the high bank interest rates on loans for purchasing capital goods, which is roughly around 10 per cent a year for customers with good credit ratings.
By opening the cab factory, the Daimler Group has also increased the localised production of components for the latest-generation Actros and Arocs vehicles, introduced in Russia in October of last year. At the moment, more than 150 vehicle components come from suppliers based in the Russian Federation, who are required to guarantee the same quality standards as their German and Western European counterparts. The decision to localise production was linked to the need to avoid import duties, which would make the vehicles less financially appealing to Russian hauliers. Substantial differences While the cab structure is the same for the Actros and new Kamaz 54901 vehicles (also known as K5), there are substantial differences to
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A robotic workstation at Chelny.
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International
the external line, interior, and elements of the driveline. In the case of the Kamaz 54901, the engine is a six-cylinder in-line Liebherr model with a capacity of 12-litres. The strategic deal between the Russian manufacturer and the German company to develop a new family of 400-700 hp engines was signed in 2014, and production commenced with the first units in Chelny in March 2016. The gearbox is an automatic ZF TraXon 12-speed model. The decision to have different drivelines differentiates the two different truck ranges in the domestic Russian market, avoiding range overlaps or situations of direct competition. Since the joint venture was established in 2009, Daimler Kamaz Rus has assembled over 30,000 Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi Fuso lorries in Chelny, and
has sold them in the Russian Federation through a network of approximately 50 dealers located throughout this vast geographical region. The cab design in the new Kamaz lorries – for a range of cabs that includes approximately 40 models, variants and versions – has the Italian touch provided by the company Torino Design, which has been in partnership with the Russian manufacturer since 2013. “At the beginning of the partnership Kamaz basically wanted to restyle the models already being produced,” explained Roberto Piatti, CEO and Managing Director of the Italian design company. However, in 2014, the Russian manufacturer reached an agreement with Mercedes-Benz per to use the Actros cab structure in their vehicles, radically changing the design focus. The
Russian management team decided to stop the restyling process and concentrate instead on developing a new modular range of cabs. The characteristic of modularity – in relation to savings on investments for construction components - was one of the key concepts underlying the new cabs. The project commenced between the summer and autumn of 2014, whereas the design of the templates was ‘frozen’ at the end of the year. Subsequently the 3D models were developed, and the vehicle samples cut to a scale of 1:1. The initial presentations were delivered to the senior Russian managers in February 2015. At the same time a demonstration lorry was created for the industrial vehicle trade fair in Moscow in 2015, offering a wide range of innovative solutions. After
An image of the new cab range optimised by the Italian design company. The product line ranges from cabs for local distribution to those for heavyduty distribution and scheduled services. From this year, long-haul derivatives will also be produced.
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several months of optimisation, the designs were set in May 2015. Has the partnership with Kamaz been different to relationships with lorry manufacturers in other countries? “Of course. We usually deal with styling, 3D modelling and design templates through to the finalisation of the feasibility and design phase. However, in the case of Kamaz, we also dealt with all development and engineering. This complex task involved a team of 100 to 120 specialists. It wasn’t an easy task, as the Actros structure had to be combined with the original components of the Kamaz vehicles, while maintaining the Kamaz brand identity,” says Piatti. .............................................................. CV is an associate member of the International Truck of the Year (IToY). As part of this association, the magazine provides exclusive articles, written especially by IToY jury members.
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The top-of-therange cab with flat floor designed by Torino Design for the Russian manufacturer Kamaz. A cab with a raised roof with engine tunnel and interior layout detail, with the dashboard and screen (side) for the navigation and infotainment system.
International Lorries in the Russian Federation The Russian market for CVs over 3.5-tonnes grew by three per cent in 2018 on a yearon-year basis. Overall, some 81 000 lorries were put on the roads. Some 38,000 of these were produced by national manufacturers. Approximately 42,500 of these were by Western European makes. Kamaz had the largest market share in 2018, a situation which continues till date. In the second place was Gaz, followed by Scania, Volvo Trucks, Man and Mercedes-Benz. The top-selling model in 2018 was the Kamaz 43118 6x6 (more than 6,500 put on the roads), testifying to the difficult operating conditions for vehicles
operating in the Russian Federation. Another Kamaz vehicle, the 6x4 65115, took third place (5,545 units), behind the mid-range Gazon Next 4x2 (6,168 vehicles registered). The lion’s share of the heavy goods department, in terms of sales volumes, went to tractors (30,647 units), followed by tipper trucks (12,700 vehicles), special vehicles (8,700 units) and box lorries (6,600 vehicles). Figures for the first five months of 2019 showed an overall fall of more than fiveper cent in the market with respect to 2018. Sales of Western vehicle makers have also decreased (-14 per cent).
Sales of new vehicles above 3.5 tonnes by make Manufacturer
2018 2017 Diff % Volume Volume
Kamaz
26,203
27,317
-1,114
-4.1
Gaz
9,081
8,642
439
5.1
Scania
5,642
989
17.5
Volvo Trucks
6,212
5,850
362
6.2
Man
4,956
4,684
272
5.8
Mercedes-Benz
4,739
5,543
-804
-14.5
Isuzu
3,994
3,804
190
5.0
Maz
3,107
2,871
236
8.2
Daf
2,725
3,406
-681
-20.0
Ural
2,648
2,654
-6
-0.2
Hyundai
1,829
1,543
286
18.5
Hino
1,706
1,243
463
37.2
Maz-Man
1,076
929
147
15.8
Fuso
1,019
871
148
17.0
Renault Trucks
942
531
411
77.4
Iveco
855
1,017
-162
-15.9
Shaanxi
724
450
274
60.9
Faw
477
276
201
72.8
Iveco-Amt
358
281
77
27.4
Howo
271
135
136
100.7
Top 20 total
79,553
77,689
1,864
2.3
Other makes
1,149
659
490
42.7
General total
80,702
78,348
2,354
3.0
National manufacturers
38,104
38,808
-704
-1.8
Foreign manufacturers
42,598
39,540
3,058
7.7
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flashback
Porting Satellite Shankar
S
atellite Shankar made waves ahead of its release owing to a unique premise and more so a unique title. The movie stars young actor Sooraj Pancholi in the lead as a happy go, lucky soldier, KPG Shankar. Named after supreme deity - Lord Shiva, he is a true patriot and a helping soul from the first frame. Director Irfan Kamal, in a bid to differentiate from the pool of soldier centric movies, aplenty in Bollywood, thankfully does away with the common portrayal of soldiers writing letters or making range-restricted calls to their loved ones. He instead, hands down his lead, a teleporting prop. A scale model of the shivling,
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the plot tries hard to convince movie buffs of lord Shiva residing in it and Shankar having access to the deity at will. Shankar is nicknamed ‘Satellite Shankar’ for this noble deed of helping fellow soldiers hypothetically transfer their energies without having to physically traverse the distance. Ironically, when it’s his turn to reach out to his mother, the injured Satellite Shankar prefers the army Tata Defence Load Carrier LPTA 713 (LPTA 713) to steer past the first leg of his high-altitude journey in Kashmir en route Kanyakumari, to visit his ailing mother on ‘Sainik Shapath’, a soldier’s promise. The LPTA 713 is the director’s vehicle to etch a patriot and his love for countrymen above all. The LPTA 713 featured in the movie, is known to have entered service as a soft-top troop/cargo carrier for the Indian army in 1999 besides plying in export markets like Nepal, Afghanistan and South Africa. The LPTA 713 is easy to identify as a defence vehicle with
utility addons like a blackout lamp, convoy lamps, D-shaped shackles at the front and a tow pin and hook. Capable of ferrying a 2.5-tonne payload and a troop seating capacity of 12-14, the GVW 7.75-tonne truck is capable of towing trailers weighing up to five-tonne with ease. Notably, the spare wheel sits pretty between the full forward cabin (D+1 seating with a roof hatch) and the skeletal haulage tray with collapsable sides and tailgate as a design element to lend to the rugged persona synonymous with defence vehicles. Built on the ladder-type frame truck chassis with riveted cross members, the all-wheeldrive of the LPTA 713 offers an advanced terrain response and manoeuvrability. Powered by an inline six-litre, BSIII turbocharged diesel, six-cylinder Tata Cummins engine, it has a rated peak power of 155 hp at 2500 rpm and a peak torque of 590 Nm at 1500 rpm. Mated to a six-speed, synchromesh transmission, the truck comes pre-loaded with dual circuit full air S-cam brakes. The suspension is of the semielliptical leaf spring type on the LPTA 713. While porting Satellite Shankar it subtly reminds us of its iconic lineage.
RNI No. MAHENG/2006/20842
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