COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INDIA OCTOBER 2021 by Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd

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Volume 16 Issue 01 • October 2021

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

Ashish Bhatia

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Goalposts continue to shift and challenges continue to evolve however it’s the new found ways to tackle these that has made all the difference.

Risk Mitigation

he relatively growing penetration of vaccination in the adult population and the nod for the kids’ vaccination holds the potential to lessen, if not completely mitigate the threat of the imminent waves of Covid19. The 15th Anniversary Issue special of Commercial Vehicle Magazine celebrates the efforts of the industry in ‘Staging A Comeback’. Think of it as a culmination of all the inspiring stories brought to you over the last year to cover every stakeholder and their respective segment contributing to the growth of the industry. The issue takes a fresh take on new product launches hinting at restored OEM confidence, road checks, dealerships, game-changer initiatives, alternative drives and road-safety trends shaping up the commercial vehicle industry both nationally and around the globe. The industry, it is also evident, is working in unison to mitigate the demand and supply challenges. Goalposts continue to shift and challenges continue to evolve however it’s the new found ways to tackle these that has made all the difference. If the year began on the sour note of the need to survive and revive, the industry continues to do everything in its capacity to get back to the erstwhile thriving ways of business. The revival in demand is a positive however it continues to be challenged by a shortage of semiconductor wafers, the need to reduce waiting periods for select models of select segments, high fuel and gas prices leading to higher operational costs, and key input commodity price hikes forcing price hikes across the board. Here, the efficiencies added over the past 19 months are expected to hold the industry in good stead for the quarters to come. It is expected that the industry will make head ways to regain to an extent of the lost ground in sales. In the first half of 2020 (H1-2021), commercial vehicle sales continue to remain below the 2010-11 levels. The task is cut out and hopefully the worst is behind us. Ashish Bhatia ashish@atashishbhatia.com a.bhatia@nextgenpublishing.net

Regional Manager

Rajesh Gogate (Mumbai)

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This Month In CV

OCTOBER 2021

Cover story

Eicher Pro 6035T The Eicher Pro 6035T is here. Ashish Bhatia drove the next generation tipper to unravel its value proposition for more.

THE BOTTOMLINE Ashish Bhatia

NEWS  Call for sustained economic growth  Abatement of air pollution  Green technology transfer at a low cost  Indian truck drivers to get fatigue sensors?  Rank 46 in Global Innovation Index 2021  EOI with ethanol plants  BEST invites tenders for 1900 e-buses  Aaditya Thackeray visits EV manufacturers  Daimler Group appoints Karl Deppen  AITWA offers lawyer on the spot

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

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

                

R YOUCE VOI

A Red Hot Crack The Mahindra Truck and Bus Division has launched the Mahindra Furio 7. Ashish Bhatia looks at the red hot crack for growth in the light commercial vehicle segment.

ALL MOU with Federal Bank DTDC installs oxygen generator plant CV manufacturers hike prices New IndoSpace logistic park in Bengaluru Allison Transmission acquisition Greaves Cotton AutoEVmart Cummins medium- and heavy-duty engine Apollo BHIM for SCVs Road Transport & Logistics Excellence IOCL lubricants for BSVI engines First public EV charging plaza Hero MotoCorp provides ambulances Satrac Defence solutions LetsTransport to expand its EV fleet Omega Seiki Mobility partners with Exicom Chalo helps digitise bus commutes New BKT manufacturing facility

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This Month In CV

Acing intra-city municipal logistics with TATA motors: Namdeo Tukaram Bhapkar elaborates on the nuances of intra-city municipal transport management and the performance attributes of the TATA Ace which is helping him expand his business successfully.

Apollo All-wheel Fitment TBR: Apollo Tyres has introduced the EnduRace RAT. Team CV looks at the improved offering aimed at extending the lead in truck and bus radials.

Opportunity In Adversity: In an Industry talk with CV sessIon, G.S. Ramesh, Chairman of the Layam Group shares wIth Ashish Bhatia on in every adversity lying an opportunity.

hampion OEM Incentive Scheme: C In line with the Union Budget 2021-22 announcement of the PLI outlay, the Government of India approved the scheme for the automobile Industry. Agnirakshak: Men, Women And Machines: Project Mumbai in partnership with Mumbai Fire Brigade is silently building an army of Agni Rakshaks.

56 64

Sustenance Is Key At the 61st ACMA Annual Conclave, the industry hinted at sustenance as the key for seeing through the volatile phase.

70 74

Daimler Trucks AG Strategy: Karin Rådström in an exclusive conversation with Gianenrico Griffini talks strategy.

EU Progress On Road Safety: Driven by EU regulations and the will to make roads safer, commercial vehicles continue to make significant and rapid progress on safety inclusions.

HD AVTR 4825 Tipper: The Ashok Leyland AVTR modular platform has delivered yet another offspring.

For The Pure Technicians At Sarbloh Motors, offroading is only when it’s laced with the extreme.

The Booster Shot For Tourism: Mumbai-based Motohom is offering custom solutions for travelers.

Massey Ferguson 6S And 7S Series: Massey Ferguson upgraded tractor lineup.

Plugged-In Social Media highlights.

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Bulletin

Call for sustained economic growth The Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu has urged the industry for greater support to Government reforms deemed crucial for sustained economic growth in the next decade. Averred Vice President Naidu, “India is now at a decisive point in regaining its growth. Now is the time for all the stakeholders to join hands and ensure sustained economic momentum.” He called for the need to turn to a high growth path and create high employment for workers by 2030. He cited

the projection of an annual GDP growth rate of eight to 8.5 per cent and said it would require support from entrepreneurship, job creation

Abatement of air pollution

The Commission of Air Quality Management (CQAM) is known to have taken concrete measures for the abatement of air pollution. For example, the states of Punjab and NCR have put in place detailed action plans. For example, in Delhi NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan,

industries are known to have transitioned to cleaner fuels. Identified among the sources of air pollution, CQAM has issued a circular mandating the use of ‘zeroemission’ and clean vehicles. To ensure a check-in place, a sub-committee has been formulated to report on the matter.

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

and holistic progress. He also urged the industry to draw motivation from India’s rank 18 earned by outperforming emerging economies over the past decade. The Vice President drew attention to global trends like digitisation and automation, urbanisation, rising incomes, sustainability, health, and safety as significant developments in the aftermath of the pandemic. He called for the need to create global hubs in manufacturing and digital services.

Green technology transfer at a low cost

At the recent UN Secretary General’s meeting, the finance, mitigation and adaptation for tackling climate change took centre stage. With a backdrop of the Government’s ambitious target of 450 GW renewable energy by 2030, the recent IPCC findings and UNFCCC synthesis report found a mention. As per the findings, developed countries are known to have surpassed estimated emission allowances between 2008-20. Developed countries were called upon at the conference for extending mitigation and financial support to the developing countries.

Bulletin

Indian truck drivers to get fatigue sensors? At the introductory meeting of new members nominated in the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari emphasised on the need to decide driving hours for commercial vehicle truck drivers on the lines similar to pilots. Citing fatigueinduced road accidents, the Union Minister cited the example of aircrafts known to be installed with physiological measurement devices to measure driver performance characteristics directly affected by fatigue. Of the opinion that fatigue sensors are crucial to detecting driver drowsiness, the minister called it a game changer that could

help reduce accidents. The minister directed officials gathered at the meet to include on-board

Rank 46 in Global Innovation Index 2021 India has earned the 46th rank in the Global Innovation Index 2021. Due credit has been awarded to scientific departments like the Department of Science and Technology among others. Organisations like the NITI Aayog have been credited for policy led innovations like in the electric vehicles segment, nanotechnology and alternative energy sources. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has been credited for being the torchbearer of this innovationled economy.

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

sleep detection sensors in commercial vehicles at par with European standards.

EOI with ethanol plants An Expression of Interest (EOI) has been signed for the long term agreement on supply with ethanol plants with 197 bidders known to have participated. Tweeted Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, “This EOI is a proactive step taken by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and oil companies to motivate project proponents to set up ethanol production plants in ethanol deficit states, thereby paving the way forward for the nation in achieving the ethanol blending target of 20 per cent and beyond.” In ESY 2020-21 the government is known to have achieved an ethanol blending target of 8.01 per cent as against the set target of 8.5 per cent.

Bulletin

BEST invites tenders for 1900 e-buses Mumbai signs up for TUMI

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) is known to have invited tenders for 1900 e-buses in all that it hopes to induct. Plying 386 buses in the initial phase wise implementation, it is working towards building a 100 per cent e-bus fleet by 2027 as an effort to mitigate climate change. Aditya Thackrey, Minister of Environment, Tourism and Protocol lauded BEST for inviting tenders. Citing BEST as an example, the minister, in a tweet, informed of the ministry of the state of Maharashtra helping other cities in the state to expand their respective e-bus fleets with the help of government intervention both from the state and the centre. The state is expected to induct new buses that are expected to ply on road by mid 2023 in a phase wise implementation. A tender for 200 electric double-decker buses is also on the anvil.

Mumbai has signed up for the The Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI). Mumbai is the first city in the country to host a curated work plan for the deployment of e-buses. TUMI entails designing a technical assistance plan in tandem with a long term adoption roadmap for the city. BEST is known to have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to join TUMI in an initiative led by Aaditya Thackeray, Minister of Environment, Tourism and Protocol, Government of Maharashtra. The minister said, “The transition to electric is necessary for all vehicle segments, big or small, in order to fast-track the achievement of climate and air quality goals. E-buses can play a significant role in this transition.” A short term goal has been set to achieve the transition to e-buses in 20 ‘deep dive cities’ which will be scaled up to an additional 100 cities by the end of 2022. By 2025, over one lakh electric buses are to be prepared for tenders and procurement. The project falls under the Action towards Climate-friendly Transport (ACT) initiative launched at the UNSG Summit in September 2019.

Aaditya Thackeray visits EV manufacturers Minister of Environment, Tourism and Protocol, Government of Maharashtra, Aaditya Thackeray visited EV manufacturers in the state. After visiting the Kinetic Green plant at Pune, he lauded the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for bringing about a revolution in light green commute. Kinetic Green offers a wide range of EVs, from electric two-wheelers and threewheelers for passenger and cargo applications to EVs for tourism. With an in-house government approved R&D centre, the EV

manufacturer is said to focus on the design and development of a durable and affordable range. The minister also visited the test track and assembly line of Tata Motors. “It is so encouraging to see the rising demand for a vehicle totally made in India that matches global standards of quality, safety, electric mobility, affordability,” he is known to have expressed. Lauding the facility for being environment friendly, the minister also participated in a sapling plantation drive. He committed to the resolve of an aggressive

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

implementation of the state’s EV policy wherein the state government is planning a series of stakeholder consultations for smooth implementation.

Bulletin

Daimler Group appoints Karl Deppen Daimler Group has appointed Karl Deppen as the Member of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG. Assigned the responsibility to drive the FUSO and BharatBenz brands in markets like China, Japan and India, Deppen replaces Hartmut Schick with effect from December 01, 2021. Retiring after 35 years, Schick served as the Member of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG and was responsible for Daimler Trucks’ Asia business. His successor, Deppen on the other hand, was the Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil Ltda. and responsible for the Latin American region of MercedesBenz Trucks and Buses from May 2020. “With this valuable

Bharatbenz turns nine

combination of experience and knowledge, Karl Deppen is the right person for our commercial vehicle business in Asia,” pointed out Martin Daum, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG and Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG.

Bharatbenz has completed nine years in the business. With over 1,10,000 vehicles said to be delivered, catering to more than 70,000 customers and over 250 touchpoints, the brand takes pride from having delivered ultra-modern trucks from nine to 55-tonnes. BharatBenz has made a mark with initiatives like an exchange programme under which customers can exchange their used vehicles. Through ‘ProServ’ service, it has effectively met its customer service needs.

AITWA offers lawyer on the spot The All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) has launched the country’s first on-the-spot legal assistance initiative Lawyer on the Spot. Aimed at offering on-the-spot legal assistance to commercial vehicle owners, it has a built-in instant local legal representation, and education dissemination on basic rights and procedures. For the programme, AITWA partnered legal tech platform ‘Lawyerered’. Commenting on the launch, Mahendra Arya, President at AITWA said, “Incidents can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time.” He explained it

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

is imperative to understand that a majority of trucks get delayed due to forced stoppages or red tape induced diversions that are taken advantage of. “The effective and timely intervention of a trained professional who knows the ins and outs of the laws is required for the welfare of the road transport fraternity,” he added. According to AITWA, any commercial vehicle

in difficulties can call the helpline, and drivers would be assisted in terms of helping establish connection with local authorities at the scene of the incident. It could be the Police, RTO, and taxation agencies. It will also help connect beneficiaries of the initiative to the nearest legal practitioner for incidents that require immediate assistance from a local lawyer.

Bulletin

ALL MOU with Federal Bank Ashok Leyland Ltd. (ALL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Federal Bank that will enable both Ashok Leyland and Federal Bank to offer customised financial solutions to customers. Under this partnership, Federal Bank will be able to provide end-toend financial solutions to the customers of Ashok Leyland. The Bank will work towards catering to the customers’ needs through auto loans with easy monthly repayment plans best suited for the customers. The bank will leverage technology for enhancing customer experience as well. Commenting on the

partnership Gopal Mahadevan, Whole Time Director and Chief Financial Officer, Ashok Leyland said, “Ashok Leyland is delighted to partner with Federal Bank to offer customised financial solutions to its customers. This association will help Ashok Leyland gain an edge in the market.” Claimed to offer products with differentiated technology delivering best-inclass total cost of ownership to its customers, thereby providing profitability to their business, ALL is known to have embraced future-ready technology to offer digital platforms and services said to be ahead of the curve.

DTDC installs oxygen CV manufacturers generator plant in Jaipur hike prices

DTDC in partnership with Narayana Health has set up an oxygen generator plant with a capacity of generating medical-grade oxygen at a rate of 500-litres per minute in Jaipur. Built to enhance the oxygen supply infrastructure of the city, Subhasish Chakraborty, DTDC Chairman and Managing

Director, said, “The cuttingedge oxygen generator plant, imported from the US, is a result of joint efforts of DTDC, our strategic partner, Geopost SA (DPD Group) and the able team at Narayana Health.” It is contributing more than Rs.1.56 crore to Narayana Hrudayalaya Charitable Trust.

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Commercial vehicle manufacturers weighed down by rising operational costs, commodity price hikes among other macroeconomic factors are finding it hard to absorb costs at the cost of their eroding margins. Recently CV major, Tata Motors announced a price hike effective October 01, 2021 across its fleet by up to two per cent depending on the model and variant of choice. The official statement by the company read, “The continued rise in the cost of commodities, such as steel and precious metals, necessitates the company to pass on a part of it through increase in price of the products. The company has further strived to minimise this increase by absorbing a certain portion of the cost at various levels of manufacturing.” This is in addition to the continued efforts to deliver low total cost of ownership for its customers and fleet owners. Ashok Leyland, for instance, has partially negated commodity price hikes, particularly steel through price hikes and internal cost reduction initiatives. Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, similarly is known to have hiked the prices by a margin of two to three per cent.

Bulletin

New IndoSpace logistic park in Bengaluru The new IndoSpace Industrial and Logistics Park in Bengaluru is spread over 65-acres. Situated near the Industrial region of Narasapura the park is just 54 kms away from the city. Built keeping in mind the requirements of the auto and auto components industry, it is tactically located near a major two-wheeler OEM plant. Listed as one of the leading Grade-A parks, IndoSpace Narasapura-I offers excellent connectivity to Chennai, Tirupati and the Hoskote-Malur industrial area.

Allison Transmission acquisition Greaves Cotton AutoEVmart

Allison Transmission India Pvt. Ltd. signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire the transmission portfolio of AVTEC’s off-highway business for an estimated Rs.200 crore (USD 27 mn) valuation. The acquisition of the transmission portfolio of AVTEC’s off-highway business and associated IP is expected to accelerate Allison’s pursuit of additional opportunities in India and global markets with purpose-built products, stated John Coll, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing,

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Sales and Service at Allison Transmission. Subject to completion of certain conditions precedent and expected to be closed by the end of 2021, the acquisition also includes the AVTEC Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) off-highway component machining business. It will pave the way for the integration of AVTEC’s off-highway component machining operations currently located at the MEPZ facility (Chennai) into Allison’s Chennai manufacturing plant.

Greaves Cotton Ltd., launched the ‘AutoEVmart’. The first multi-brand EV retail store from the company is located at Kalyan Nagar, in Bengaluru. Spread over an expanse of 8000 sq. ft. It is expected to meet smart everyday mobility requirements in a more sustainable manner. Talking about the store YVS Vijaykumar, Chief Executive Officer, Greaves Retail, said, “With AutoEVmart we are excited to bring in a range of electric vehicles in the last mile mobility space, to accelerate a clean and better future by embracing new technologies.” AutoEVmart will be a one-stop destination for e-vehicles from e-cycles to e-commercial vehicles. Aftersales, EV care services include roadside assistance, easy finance options, comprehensive service packages and spares parts besides digitised services are on offer too.

Bulletin

Cummins medium- and heavy-duty engine Through the Hydrogen-fueled Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) program, Cummins Inc will begin the development of a medium-duty 6.7-litre and a heavyduty 15-litre engine. The development of the 6.7-litre hydrogen engine will focus on medium-duty trucks, buses, and construction applications, such as excavators and wheel loaders. The new 15-litre platform will look to introduce hydrogen gas-fueled engine capability in heavy-duty long-haul trucks. Part of the development work to be undertaken at Cummins Darlington facility and will be supported by a funding award recently received from the UK Government, provided through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). Stated Srikanth Padmanabhan, President, Engine Business, Cummins Inc, “We’ve established significant goals as part of our Planet 2050 sustainability strategy, including a target of zero emissions.” “Reducing well-to-wheels carbon emissions requires innovation of both energy sources and power solutions. While use cases for battery electric and fuel cell electric powertrains are promising, the pairing of green hydrogen in the proven technology of ICE provides an important complement to future zero-emissions solutions,” opined Padmanabhan. Through the new hydrogen engines, the aim is to also enhance power density and improve thermal efficiency.

Cummins and Valvoline renew partnership Cummins and Valvoline have signed a five-year renewal of their marketing and technology partnership agreement. As per the renewal, Cummins will endorse and recommend Valvoline’s premium range Blue™ engine oil for its heavy-duty diesel engines and generators through its multiple channels worldwide. That apart Cummins’ plants, globally, will use Valvoline-supplied lubricants and oils in day-to-day operations too. “This is a fantastic partnership that couples our cutting-edge engines with Valvoline’s innovative motor oils to provide optimal performance for our customers,” stated Tracy Embree, Cummins Vice President and President of the Distribution Business in a company release. The two partners will continue to strive for delivering optimal engine performance, and in helping customers lower operating costs.

Apollo BHIM for SCVs Apollo tyres has introduced a new range of bias tyres named ‘BHIM’, specifically designed for Small Commercial Vehicles (SCVs). Satish Sharma, President, Apollo Tyres Ltd said, “We have been eyeing this growing category of small commercial vehicle tyres for some time. Cross-functional team of Marketing, Customer Service and R&D, along with the consumer’s voice, has helped us

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

develop this product. Considering the performance of these tyres in our internal benchmarking and extensive testing in real world conditions, we are confident of it being a runaway success.”The new range of tyres comprises ‘Bhim Lug’ and ‘Bhim rib’. It features a new, aggressive tread pattern, window design, and side wall design. The open groove design offers higher heat

dissipation and durability, while the less sinusoidal and straighter ribs offer good steerability. The dual angle tread orientation of the Bhim Lug tyres provides better traction and uniform wear and aids in avoiding shoulder wear. To ensure optimum utility of the tyre, high mileage tread compound and more rubber mass are provided at the wearing zone.

Bulletin

Road Transport & Logistics Excellence Initiative Bridgestone India in collaboration with CII Institute of Logistics have launched the ‘Road Transport & Logistics Excellence Initiative’. Aimed at felicitating drivers in the transport industry, this initiative, it is said, will help address the image of the professionals in the sector and also gain insights on road safety, fuel efficiency, tyre mileage, overall cost optimisation etc. In addition to this, a professional driver’s platform called ‘drivers guild’ is also put in place to help connect various locations for similar developmental initiatives in the sector. The initiative is not only expected to orient truck drivers and enhance their skill sets, it will also provide them the desired security, dignity and help them gain the respect they deserve. Giving the drivers equal opportunity to share their views and expertise for improving the transport industry, the platform will help develop a safe and sustainable environment for the complete transport and logistics ecosystem.

Tata Motors e-buses shod with Bridgestone Ecopia

Tata Motors’ 150 e-buses in Mumbai are shod with Bridgestone Ecopia tyres. Manufactured for the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the ebuses are expected to benefit from the tyre series claimed to offer advanced low-rolling resistance and offer fueleconomy saving. Safety and longevity are among the added benefits. In the Ecopia R156, a special nano pro-tech compound technology offers better heat resistance thereby a prolonged life. Sunil Puri, Head at Commercial Tyres Business, Bridgestone India said, “It is a proud moment for all of us at Bridgestone to partner with Tata Motors as they roll out their electric buses for BEST. This is an ecofriendly tyre and therefore a suitable fitment for electric buses.”

IOCL lubricants for BSVI engines

Indian Oil Corporation Limited has launched two new lubricants. Servo Greenmile and Servo Raftar are engineered for BSVI compliant engines. Aimed at cutting

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

emissions and enhancing engine performance, Servo Greenmile meets SAE 5W-30 and API SN requirements, in effect resulting in a 10 per cent reduction in carbon emissions. It offers high-temperature related deposit protection for pistons, increased sludge control, improved emission control system compatibility, seal compatibility, and engine protection while using ethanol-blended fuels. Servo Raftaar on the other hand is expected to enhance the driving experience for diesel vehicles. It offers protection against wear and deposits and contains antioxidant qualities. It also helps lower the oil consumption as per claims.

First public EV charging plaza

India’s first public electric vehicle charging plaza has been inaugurated at Nehru Place DTC terminal in Delhi by Convergence Energy Services Ltd.(CESL) in collaboration with DTC. DTC is simultaneously developing seven other EV charging and battery swapping stations at DTC terminals or depots in India. Each of the seven charging stations will have six charging points for two and three-wheelers, and the rest for charging four wheelers. The ministry is also looking at 100 public charging stations through an open tender, mentioned Kailash Gahlot, Cabinet Minister, Govt of NCT of Delhi (Transport).

Bulletin

Hero MotoCorp provides ambulances Hero MotoCorp Ltd. has handed over 13 advanced life support ambulances to the state of Uttarakhand. A part of ‘Hero WeCare’ campaign, the Covid-19 relief initiative will help strengthen the healthcare infrastructure across the state. Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, flagged off these ‘Tata Magic Express’ ambulances. Appreciating this effort, the minister said, ”These efforts are helping to provide immediate relief to the frontline workers and the communities most impacted by Covid19.”

Satrac Defence solutions

Trailer manufacturer Satrac has inaugurated Unit-4 dedicated to the production of special defence trailers in a bid to attain a higher degree of self-reliance to align with the ‘’Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. The company will produce superstructures especially engineered keeping to the requirements of defence. Satrac claimed to offer lightweight solutions with a high payload carrying capacity,

a low total cost of ownership and rigid structures with extreme shock-absorbing capability for off-highway applications. Since 2014, Satrac has been a major contributor in defence and hopes to add to revenue streams with the niche offerings. The manufacturer is banking on well-established production techniques using tools like plasma cutters, robotic SAW welders, high capacity CNC shears to name a few.

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

LetsTransport to expand its EV fleet LetsTransport is expected to augment its Electric Vehicle (EV) fleet on its platform to 1,000 by June 2022. Having already commenced EV-led operations in Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai, LetsTransport will induct EVs to its fleet in Chennai, Pune and Kolkata. The company is known to have tied up with eight OEMs for strengthening its EV fleet across cities. Currently, the 100-vehicle strong EV fleet includes three-wheeler vehicles from multiple OEMs like Piaggio, Etrio, ETO, Altigreen and Kinetic. The primary deployment of these EVs will remain in intracity, last-mile logistics for e-commerce, retail, FMCG and 3PL distribution sectors. Some of LetsTransport customers include Grab, Amazon, Big Basket, Delivery, DHL, Coca Cola and ITC.

Bulletin

Omega Seiki Mobility partners with Exicom Omega Seiki Mobility Private Limited (OSM), a subsidiary of the Anglian Omega Group, has announced a collaboration with Exicom Tele-systems to supply lithium-ion batteries for Omega Seiki’s extensive line of electric cargo vehicles. Speaking on the partnership, Uday Narang, Founder and Chairman, Omega Seiki Mobility, said, “We are elated to partner with Exicom Tele-systems as they share same values as OSM, that of creating Made-In-India and Made-for-India products.” “This partnership is giving new hopes for the future of the EV ecosystem in India,” he added. Offered for all types of vehicles, the Exicom Tele system Li-ion batteries are claimed to be affordable. According to the partnership, Exicom will be

supplying its recently launched 10.8 kW fixed batteries. These batteries will give a range of 120 km on a full charge and offer real time battery analytics, long cycle life, high environment protection and come with a rugged design. It also marks the commercial launch of Exicom

Chalo helps digitise bus commutes Chalo, a digital platform which helps bus operators to accept digital payments and also track the commutes, has raised USD 40 million in its Series C funding round which was led by Lightrock India and Filter Capital. It has done so to digitise bus commutes in India. Mohit Dubey, CEO, Chalo said that the startup was operating about 1,900 buses before Covid-19 and it now operates 2,500 buses. It also has signed up several thousand more. WaterBridge Ventures, Raine Venture Partners, Neeraj Arora (former chief business officer of WhatsApp) and Amit

Singhal (former SVP at Google) are some of the investors in the start up.

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Tele-systems flagship Battery Management System (BMS), Exicom Mexx which offers safety, accuracy, and SoX prediction algorithms aimed at providing users with the desired performance and safety features.

New BKT manufacturing facility Balkrishna Industries Limited (BKT) has inaugurated its new manufacturing facility in Maharashtra. The state-ofthe-art facility is spread across an area of over 22 acres. Situated at Waluj in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, the new facility is built at an investment of around USD 56 million. The facility will produce medium and smalldiameter tyres designed for agricultural and industrial machinery. With an annual production capacity of around 30,000 MT of off-highway tyres, the new Greenfield plant is located at a distance of about five kilometres from BKT’s first facility in Waluj. Aiming to expand its presence in the off-highway market, the company is looking at increasing its production and making it more efficient.

Product Launch Fleet

Acing intra-city municipal logistics with Tata Motors Namdeo Tukaram Bhapkar, Director, Swayambhu Transport elaborates on the nuances of intra-city municipal transport management and the performance attributes of the Tata Ace which is helping him expand his business successfully

he Indian transportation industry, currently valued at USD 160 million, forms the backbone of the distribution and delivery network in the country. The intracity logistics and transportation segment particularly plays an indispensable role in catering to daily demands within the city thus ensuring a consistent supply of essential goods and services. Following the onset

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

of the Covid19 pandemic, intra-city transportation has gained renewed emphasis, with the rise of e-commerce and pressing demand for contactless services and doorstep deliveries. With restored supply chain networks and sustained demand from agricultural and e-commerce sectors, the Indian transportation industry at large is expected to grow at a Compound Average Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10 per cent,

with intra-city transportation and delivery playing a critical role. One major player within the intra-city logistics business that has sustained its significance over the years is Swayambhu Transport. Based in Pune, the company has persisted within the business for nearly two decades, playing an instrumental role in revolutionising the garbage collection transportation system in cantonment areas.

Product Launch Fleet

Its first stint in the garbage collection business was in 2008—a government contract with the Khadki Cantonment board on a trial basis. Today, Swayambhu Transport operates in all cantonment boards in Pune, and caters to contracts across Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh,

“Tata Motors’ vehicles offer higher fuel efficiency and uptime with minimum maintenance costs, and this helps keep our operational costs as low as possible. The Tata Ace Gold BSVI integrated with the accompanying technological innovations and capabilities have offered lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).” Namdeo Tukaram Bhapkar, Director, Swayambhu Transport generating an annual turnover of Rs.58 crore in FY2020. To conduct its day-to-day operations smoothly, the company relies on its robust fleet of Tata Motors Small Commercial Vehicles (SCV), particularly the Tata Ace. Commenting on the company’s operations and partnership with Tata Motors, Namdeo Tukaram Bhapkar, Director, Swayambhu Transport, said,

“Our association with Tata Motors began back in 2012, with the purchase of 20 units of Tata Ace Zip. Today, we have over 1,000 vehicles in our fleet, majorly from the Tata Motors Ace family. The durability and performance of these vehicles offer are truly unmatchable. Offering best-inclass value propositions, the Chota Hathi, the Tata Ace has been a reliable companion for us over the last decade and still going strong.” Besides providing a range of superior performing vehicles, Tata Motors has

also extended exemplary sales and services assistance throughout our partnership with them. Bhapkar noted, “The sales team has guided us with regards to vehicle selection as well as curating perfect tenders that ensure we have the lowest acquisition and operational costs. From time to time, the team has also guided us on financing and minimising our TCO.” He further added, “The service team has gone out of its way to extend 24x7 support on all our project sites. Such excellent and

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Product Launch Fleet supreme on-site support along with spares backup has helped us deploy projects smoothly, even the massive ones we have deployed in Andhra Pradesh.” “Tata Motors’ training programs for drivers have also reaped immense benefits,” contended Bhapkar. “Regular training sessions have been conducted for our staff before and during project deployment. Drivers have been made privy todos and don’ts while being trained in safety parameters and vehicle operations. The training session that familiarised them in using the suitable gear to keep the engine speed in the economy band has helped us significantly, bringing down our fuel bill significantly, by almost a margin of 2.5 per cent in the new BSVI range of vehicles,” he added further. “Other additional offerings and loyalty programs that include Tata Delight, Tata Samarth, and Sampoorna Seva 2.0 continue to foster our driver’s welfare. “Our drivers take full advantage of the benefits of Swasthya Samarth,” contended Bhapkar “while the rest of the insurance provisions give immense confidence to the team,” he further added. Reflecting on their evolving relationship, Bhapkar said, “Over the years, we have come to look at Tata Motors as a manufacturer that stands strongly behind our aspirations, encouraging us to reach newer and greater heights. The company has ensured continuous engagement with us and our teams in all aspects,

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A Mutual Success Story

Vinay Pathak, Vice President, Product Line – SCV & PU, Tata Motors, mentioned “Best-inclass products, coupled with an unmatched service experience, have been critical in fostering a culture of committed customer engagement within Tata Motors. We have consistently laid immense emphasis on standing behind customer aspirations, helping expand their businesses sustainably.” On the alliance with Swayambhu Transport, he expressed, “The alliance has stood strong for over a decade, thriving on mutual trust and cooperation. Our sales and service teams have closely worked with the company, providing them with continual service support and guidance concerning their financial and acquisition decisions.” “The teams have also collaborated with the company effectively delivering vital insights on enhancing and improving their product offerings. We have also sought to establish a lasting relationship with their driving community through our regular training programs and welfare schemes. We remain certain that our relationship with the company will evolve into an even more resilient one, reaping mutual success,” he concluded.

building a resilient support system for our business.” As the Indian transportation sector continues to expand, promising players like Swayambhu Transport hope to foray into other markets

across states for project executions in the future. “We remain confident that our relationship with Tata Motors will remain unhindered in our company’s journey to success,” he concluded.

Product launch

HD AVTR 4825 Tipper The Ashok Leyland AVTR modular platform has delivered yet another offspring. Deepti Thore looks at the HD AVTR 4825 Tipper for first impressions.

shok Leyland Ltd. (ALL) introduced the AVTR modular platform on trucks with the i-Gen6 Bharat Stage VI (BSVI) technology. The modular platform with multiple options across axle configurations, loading spans, cabins, suspensions, and drivetrains on a single platform for the entire range of rigid trucks, tippers and tractors in the 18.5-tonne

to 55-tonne category has sprung a new offering. The Heavy Duty (HD) AVTR 4825 Tipper with 10x4 bogie suspension is specially engineered for meeting the operational needs of surface transportation in quarry’s of blue metal, sand, gravel, and minerals like limestone, coal, iron ore among others. Speaking on the new addition, Anuj Kathuria, Chief Operating Officer, Ashok

Anuj Kathuria, Chief Operating Officer, Ashok Leyland Ltd.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Product launch

Leyland commented, “The allnew Bogie suspension adds an integral layer of strength and reliability, which is crucial to the tough operating environment of tippers.” The HD AVTR 4825 Tipper, Kathuria claimed, improves upon the Total Cost of Operation (TCO) crucial to the operator with claims of low Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) consumption and better fluid efficiency. The DEF and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration intervals have been improved and claimed to be longer too. Up to the HD task The HD AVTR 4825 Tipper is

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

built for tough terrains. On first look, it hints at delivering on fronts like operator comfort and business goals straight up. Available in three cabin variants, the M-economy cabin, U-value cabin and N-premium cabin, the objective has been to offer a spacious cabin for ease of driveability. The Captain sleeper cabin is built with a full-front jacket without fibre. The crash test approved cabin is BIC lowered to offer easy ingress and degress and offers enhanced visibility. Air-conditioning is optional. Walk up the rear shows that the tipper is backed by high incorporation of durability,

and reliability through its aggregates. For instance, the load body box fabricated of BSK46 material for long- and cross-members is offered with a 25 per cent canopy of 29 cubic metres. The manufacturer is known to have provided a full-length subframe with longer cleat plates for higher strength and hat section cross-bearers for rigidity. It can also be had in an 18 cubic metre and a 16 cubic metre variant. Whatever be the choice, a tilt sensor is fitted under it. The Anti toppling Kit (ATK) valve claims to help control the tipping and in cutting off the tipping based on feedback

Product launch from rollover safety systems. It is backed by a 174 mm dia. hydraulic FE cylinder claimed to have a higher buckling withstand capacity and offering better lateral stability. The 47.5-tonne Gross Vehicular Weight (GVW) is fitted with semi-parabolic multi-leaf spring type and can be had with parabolic springs is optional. At the rear, is a 38-tonne HD bogie suspension. The latter, a single piece cast design has V-rod and radius rods running parallel to the ground. The tipper pairs well with the 11R20, 11X20, 295/9R, 295/95D range of tyres linked to the hydraulic assisted power steering. To enhance the tyre life, the tipper features a dualtyre lift axle with pressure limiting valves and an inbuilt logic to attain the objective. Technical Specification To power the HD tipper, Ashok Leyland is relying on its A-series engine, a fourcylinder (four-valves per cylinder for better volumetric efficiency), common rail direct fuel injection system, that is said to develop a peak rated power of 250 hp at 2200 rpm, with a torque rating of 900 Nm at 11001800 rpm. A wider rpm range is claimed to drastically offer a better pickup improving the fuel efficiency and the drive experience as a whole. The engine is mated to a nine-speed ZF transmission, a manual synchromesh unit with a constant gear ratio of 12.73. It is in keeping with the high gradeability and loadcarrying requirements. The transmission unit, in turn, relies on the 3+1 propeller

Parameter

Specifications

Engine Type

A Series CRS Engine

Maximum Power

250 hp @ 2200 rpm

Maximum Torque

900 Nm @ 1100-1800 rpm

Clutch

395mm dia, ceramic plate, axial spring with clutch booster

Gearbox

nine-speed synchromesh (CGAR - 12.73)

Propeller shaft

3 + 1 Propeller Shafts

Rear Axle

Fully floating single speed rear axle, Hypoid differential (RAR: 6.5:1)

Front axle

FA99 Forged I section – (Reverse Elliot type)

Steering

Hydraulic assisted power steering

Cabin options

Captain WIM Sleeper cabin. (AC is optional)

Front Suspension

Semi-elliptical, multi leaves, (Parabolic is Optional), 90mm Spring width

Brake

Full air dual line brakes with ABS with (ASA parking braking on rear wheels only)

Fuel tank

300-litres LHS cross-linked polymer Fuel Tank

Ad blue tank

24-litre RHS capacity

Electricals

150 AH batteries 2x12V | 85A alternator

Gradeability

26.60 per cent

Tyre options

295/90R20 | 295/95D20 | 11x20 16PR | 11R20 16PR

GVW

47.5 -tonne 16 Cu. M. (6600mm)

Wheelbase and Tipper Body

18 Cu. M. (6600mm) 29 Cu. M. (6600mm)

shaft arrangement for the power transmission to the hypoid differential, connected to the axle shafts. This arrangement is said to play a crucial role in the tipper’s gradeability of 26.6 per cent. Value additions With it are a suite of OEM offerings. For example, the OEM offers e-diagnostics, a

BlueTooth connectivity based application to pinpoint the error code of the ECU. Through Leykart, the OEM is assuring around the clock availability of spare parts with doorstep delivery. Ashok Leyland is also delivering on its promise to handhold after sales with initiatives like Leyparts, extended warranty, AMC and service and driver training.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Product Launch

Apollo All-Wheel Fitment TBR

APOLLO TYRES HAS INTRODUCED THE ENDURACE RAT. TEAM CV LOOKS AT THE ALL-WHEEL FITMENT TRUCK AND BUS RADIAL.

pollo Tyres Ltd. has launched the EnduRace RAT. An all-wheel fitment radial, the tyre is the new stepping stone for the OE to extend its lead in the truck and bus radial segment. Launched after a careful assessment of the commercial vehicle demand in the aftermath of the volatile quarters impacting business, the company also factored in the newfound growth in radialisation on steer axles. The accentuated demand brings with it new benchmarks of performance that the company had to deliver on. According to Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA), Apollo Tyres Ltd., “With the changing industry dynamics and customer expectations from the all-wheel segment, we have further improved our offering with EnduRace RAT. We are confident of extending our lead in the TBR segment in India with this new benchmark in performance tyres.”

EnduRace RAT The Apollo EnduRace RAT is out to win its customers. With customers coming off age to expect a higher pedigree, even wear and overall Initial Tread Mileage (ITM) from all tyres, it draws its features from a careful market assessment gathered from the company’s proximity to its customer base. As per Sharma, the revised axle load norms also played a part in the outcome of the finished good. It also builds on the existing

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Product Launch Key USPs of Apollo EnduRace RAT 10 per cent lower rolling resistance 20 per cent higher Initial Tread Mileage (ITM) Higher bead and belt durability Increased retreadability

Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA), Apollo Tyres Ltd.

knowledge repository of the TBR technology that Apollo Tyres comes with, he opined. The EnduRace RAT will be manufactured at the company’s Chennai facility where it is also known to have been put through its paces in an extensive test environment. For instance, Apollo Tyres tested the TBR both in the indoor controlled environments at the state-of-the-art facility and in the outdoors on real-world applications ahead of the official launch with the targeted end-users of the range. The per annum production volumes are expected to hover around 80,000 per month. The tyre is best recommended for moderate load applications in an all-wheel fitment position. It is claimed to offer a 20 per cent higher ITM and an even wear pattern for the entire product lifecycle. Sharma mentioned that the range is housed in a robust casing that comes with a higher bead and belt durability. It in turn offers a best-in-class load carrying capability and retreadability. Retreadability today is known to have become an integral factor of a contemporary tyre.

It presents customers with multiple choices to utilising the tyre when it reaches the end of life stage. Manufacturers are especially focusing on this parameter because the operator is cost-sensitive and mindful of the utility from the tyre’s second stage of life. To meet the low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) requirement of the customer, the company assures a class-leading fuel efficiency with 10 per cent lower rolling resistance. With a 32 per cent market share as per its internal assessments, taking into account both OE and replacements in the segment, shared Sharma, Apollo Tyres is confident of standing out.

The launch also comes on the heels of the SCV bias Bhim tyres aimed at catering to 80 per cent of that market. Estimated to be at 165,000 per month, Sharma concluded, “We have been eyeing this growing category of small commercial vehicle tyres for some time. A crossfunctional team of Marketing, Customer Service and R&D, along with the consumer’s voice, has helped us develop this product. Considering the performance of these tyres in our internal benchmarking and extensive testing in real-world conditions, we are confident of it being a runaway success too.”

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Cover Story Road Check Exclusive

Eicher Pro 6035T The Eicher Pro 6035T is here. Ashish Bhatia drove the next generation tipper to unravel its value proposition for MORE.

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Cover Story Road Check Exclusive

limb in for more is the value proposition that the Eicher Pro 6035T (8x4) tipper hinges on! The next generation 35-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) tipper is an attempt by VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) to set the bar higher than in the predecessors of the Pro 6000 series. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is claimed to have done so by offering more on crucial parameters like fuel efficiency, faster turnaround and higher uptime. Special attention has been paid to aspects like the driver’s safety and on offering a comfortable workspace suited to meet the rigours of demanding duty cycles it is intended for. The tipper is claimed to be a perfect fit for application areas like sand, stone quarry, irrigation (earthwork), port, besides mining for transportation of iron ore, coal, blue metal and limestone. The Eicher Pro 6035T is made available both as a Cowl Body Chassis (CBC) and in two fully-built variants with 20 and 23 Cu.M box and a 5285 mm

wheelbase. I spent the day with the fully-built 23 Cu.M (box) variant measuring 8888 mm x 2600 mm x 3675 mm. The tipper looked all set to experience the action at the VECV dealership Fortpoint Automotive Mumbai Pvt. Ltd. The dealership made for an ideal starting point leading on to the busy warehousing stretch of Nashik Highway (NH3), in Bhiwandi Taluka of Thane district. More than meets the eye A look at the Eicher Pro 6035T is enough to learn that it means business. Coming across as modern yet restrained, the tipper, painted in a shade of bright yellow has a lot going for itself. The front fascia with a chin-up stance invites you to lean under as an initial reflex. No two ways that the pilots of this tipper stand to draw inspiration from the robust and capable build quality as they set out to conquer the most challenging terrains. half squat near the AIS 029 crash tested condor cabin gives a clear view of its improved suspension thanks to the chin-up stance. It

is meant to offer better driver comfort. The all-around mirror assembly on the windshield and the doors are meant to enhance drive vision and in turn, assure enhanced safety on the go. They add to the overall aesthetic appeal and believe it or not lend to the owners’ pride. The MBooster+ badging on the co-pilot door is quick to draw attention to the inclusion of multiple driving modes. Aimed at helping the driver not only extract optimal acceleration but also benefit from enhanced fuel efficiency. To deliver on the promise of higher uptime, the Eicher Pro 6035T relies on a sturdy build and skeleton made up of heavy-duty aggregates. The open access to the clutch wear indicator situated right between the cabin and the tipper load body helps in determining the extent of clutch wear and plan ahead for the time to replacement. The tipper features a 430 mm, pull-type, single dry plate clutch. The foundation of the tipper is strong courtesy the high strength Domex chassis. Here the long member of the chassis measures 300 mm x 90 mm x 8 mm with a five mm stiffener running through the long member of the chassis. A squat at the rear reveals the inclusion of the bogie suspension. VECV is banking on a powerful driveline fitted fitted with this bogie suspension with a 10-leaf springs arrangement meant for difficult terrains. It is said to aid in longer tyre life too. Other reliable aggregates onboard the tipper include a high-performance engine brake to minimise engine overrun, improve the service brake and also contribute to the tyre life. There is a four-way engine protection system to

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Cover Story Road Check Exclusive enhance engine safety and lower the maintenance. The oil drain intervals are set at 1500 hours. The service intervals are said to be synchronised to ensure lesser workshop trips and offer more on-road presence for the operator. VECV is offering two years or 4000 engine hours warranty (whichever is earlier) for its customers. The air processing and distribution unit on the vehicle is the USP of the tipper. It is claimed to enhance fuel efficiency and is triggered when the vehicle is in idle mode or when it is running downhill. The ESS compressor and the Viscotronic fan are said to reduce the parasitic and mechanical losses of the crankshaft. The tipper features a 315-litre fuel tank and a 50-litre DEF (AdBlue) tank. The Exhaust After Treatment System (EATS) design sits neatly in a boxed enclosure. It is the performance of this unit that dictates the fluid dynamics including the consumption of the AdBlue in the post era. A pre-programmed operating temperature is responsible for ensuring stable operations. Claimed to have been tested for over 56,00,000 kms the vanadium-based SCR offers high reliability and low maintenance as per manufacturer claims. The cockpit In anticipation for more, it was time for me to climb in. It took a strong pull to get to the seat. On settling down in the six-way adjustable driver seat, one gets a sense of being in total control with the commanding stance and a birds eye view of the track ahead. The all-around mirrors that were seen from the exteriors from an aesthetic perspective, all of sudden enhanced drive vision

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Cover Story Road Check Exclusive

spacious workplace that should please the pilots and extract more out of them.

of tricky to view corners and other blind spots. It is particularly helpful from the driver’s seat to get a glimpse of the blind spots on the port side. The seat needs a slight adjustment and the tilt and telescopic power steering once unlocked give way to sufficient legroom. HVAC is standard on the Eicher Pro 6035T and quick to offer relief iespecially in a sultry weather like we experienced on the day of the drive. he brief rain spell that followed made it worthwhile eventually. The dash is contemporary with a well laid out

Parameter

The rideability Insert the key and go through the motions to get the tipper rolling. This entails turning the ignition switch on. One has to pass the accessory mode to activate the on board accessories and select electronics. Turn the wrist a little further and all the onboard electronics come to life too as one would expect. The Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS) which comes to life at this stage lights up an array of useful indicators going up on the analogue plus digital display cluster. t takes just a soft push on the brake pedal and moderate acceleration along with a final turn of the wrist to draw in the fuel to the cylinders. On ignition, the Bharat Stage

Specification

GVW 35-tonne Engine

VEDX8, BSVI

Max. Power

260 hp @ 2200 rpm

Max. Torque

1000 Nm @ 1000-1700 rpm

Tyres

11x20 (Nylon, Mining, Radial)

Fuel Tank Capacity (litre) 315-litre Cabin

HVAC day cabin

Variant

CBC, 20 Cu.M (Box), 23 Cu.M (Box)

Wheelbase

5285 mm

Standard Features

Eicher Live, Fuel Coaching,

Cruise Control, MBooster+

VI (BSVI) VEDX8 engine runs on its power. From there on it doesn’t take long to set the wheels rolling. In an unladen state, the vehicle was quick to roll and in this case warmed up fast enough for an ascend on a slight gradient leading to the strip of tarmac, as we head out of the dealership. The low 18.6 m turning circle diameter made it easier to join in the second lane of traffic with ease making it a joy to ride. It did not take time for the Eicher Pro 6035T to make its tremendous road Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Cover Story Road Check Exclusive

presence from thereon, felt by the curious passers-by that day. Including the Eicher Pro 6025T as a metaphor of the value proposition of more. However, be sure to spend some time with it before hitting busy stretches. Gear shifting needs some time to adjust especially if you are acquainted

with the automatics. The shifts are fine and need one to get a handson experience for that seamless and precise shift. The tipper draws power from the six-cylinder VEDX8 BSVI (Eutech6) engine with a longer L10 life offers with it the backing of Volvo Groups’ Eicher Management System (EMS). The engine can develop a peak rated power of 260 hp at 2200 rpm and a flat torque of 1000 Nm in the 1000-1700 rpm range. The engine is mated to the in-house, nine-speed

ET140S9 manual synchromesh unit. Besides the performance claims, the operators can draw peace of mind from the backing of the VECV uptime centre and the uptime certified workshops. or example, the latter assures same-day delivery (terms and conditions apply). Customers also stand to gain from the extended life support solutions including customised vehicle finance, vehicle insurance, extended warranty, service agreements, intelligent fleet management solutions and driver empowerment put in place by the manufacturer.

Watch out for the exclusive drive video.

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Industry TALK With CV

Opportunity In Adversity

In an industry talk with CV session, G.S. Ramesh, Chairman of the Layam Group shares with Ashish Bhatia on in every adversity lying an opportunity in the aftermath of the pandemic. Q. How has the Layam Group evolved and how have you aligned to the present-day employment landscape? A. When we looked at the employment landscape across the country, we found more than three and a half lakh candidates entering the market. They were not job-ready when seen through the conventional lens. They included dropouts (technical and or general). I started to focus on these candidates at a time no one bothered to create an opportunity for them. I created a business model for clients in the engineering industry, for instance. Allaying fears of unskilled labour impacting quality at that point and time, the company shortlisted these socalled unfit candidates and streamlined them to perform contract manpower. While giving back to society in my way, the industry also began to reap the benefits of this additional manpower that was erstwhile sidelined. Q. A recent report from the CEDA estimates the job loss in the manufacturing sector alone at 31.7 per cent for FY2021. How do you see the landscape changing in the near to long term? A. The manufacturing engineering industry is market-driven. Here a push and pull factor dictates the rise or fall in demand for human capital. It’s a factor in an economy where supply and demand play a crucial role in driving the job market. For instance, if the value chain at the top the demand drop is sensed, it gives rise to a chain of reactions and everyone is trapped in the vicious circle. The need of the hour is for the industry to create a more sustainable model. Today the industry

is making do with retaining the critical manpower to keep the industry alive. The business models need to be built such that we don’t wipe out human capital from the system in a needbased scenario. Q. Having looked at the industry from close quarters, how do you look at the cause and effect on the entire value chain including tier suppliers and the ancillaries? A. It’s a top-down approach. It starts from the OEM level because they are takers. Any disruption impacts the bottom tier with a chain reaction. If the OEM cuts its requirement, there is bound to be a cascading effect down the value chain proportionately. The impact was bound to have been felt not only by the manufacturer but by the entire ecosystem. It impacted everyone. However, it was more panic that came through in the initial reactions, in hindsight. It was also about who handled it better. A panic reaction from the top hierarchy can never set a good example and will not instil confidence in the subordinates Q. Are there enough jobs in the market today and do you believe

where there is adversity there is an opportunity? A. I am with you 200 per cent on every adversity presenting an opportunity. In continuation, I would want employers to convert the ‘headcount’ to ‘braincount’. I’ll give you an example. I picked up an ordinary 10th standard pass out, trained him and today he is managing a team of 300 diploma holder, engineers. The need is to go in-depth in human resource analytics to determine the extent of a candidate’s contribution. Q. With this underlying opportunity, what are the skill sets most in demand for these re-entrants to the talent pool? Emobility is a hot trend now. So naturally, there is immense scope for candidates with an electrical, electronics or mechatronics background. Also with manufacturers looking to set up a global Centre of Excellence (CoE), there is demand for candidates suited to the research and development exercises at such organisations. Q. Is there a shift towards turning a gig economy? A. It is all happening but again it appears to be very short-sighted. It is a short term gain and a long-term disaster business. You cannot create a resource with a need-based intention. If that’s the case, the output will be nowhere close to the desired 100 per cent. He or she will come to the office while starting to think about the next gig. If you really weigh the hygiene factor, which includes productivity, performance etc these will take a big hit. You are not writing a success story in my opinion, you are just running a show. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Cover Story

A Red Hot Crack

The Mahindra Truck and Bus Division has launched the Mahindra Furio 7. Ashish Bhatia looks at the red hot crack for growth in the light commercial vehicle segment.

he Mahindra Truck And Bus Division (MTBD) introduced the Mahindra Furio 7 with the objective of giving a red hot crack at the six-tonne to 7.5-tonne sub-segment of Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs). Known to constitute an estimated 50 per cent of the Total Industry Volume (TIV), MTBD is moving beyond its offering from the Jayo in the 3.5-tonne to six-tonne LCV sub-segment. The latest addition is a play

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

on the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s end objective, of becoming a full range player in the three-tonne to 7.5-tonne segment. MTBD, with the launch of the Furio 7 is looking to double its revenue from the LCV segment by banking on the versatile modular platform in Furio. Taking centre stage at the virtual launch from the Chakan plant, Veejay Nakra, Chief Executive Officer, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. stated, “It is an apt time

for the launch given the improving macroeconomic factors and the emerging growth sectors.” “With this launch, we aim to become a top three brand in light and medium commercial vehicles. We are committed to offering double the value proposition,” he informed. The differentiators The Mahindra Furio 7 offerings are well thought of in a bid to stand out. According to Jalaj Gupta, Business Head, Commercial

cover story Vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., the Furio 7 launch and it’s subsequent commercialisation is a culmination of 500 engineers working with 180 suppliers and as part of an Rs.650 crore investment counting for a stellar effort from the MTBD team. Drawing its genes from the modular Furio Intermediate Commercial Vehicle (ICV) platform launched in 2019, the Furio 7 will be made available in three platforms: four-tyre Light Duty (LD), six-tyre Heavy Duty (HD) and a tipper variant. These are further bifurcated into the Furio 7 four-tyre cargo, 10.5 ft. High Side Deck (HSD) priced at Rs.14.79 lakh; Furio 7 four-tyre cargo 14 ft. HSD priced at Rs.15.32 lakh; Furio 7 HD six-tyre cargo with a 10.5 ft drop side deck priced

Model: FURIO 7 CARGO Parameter Specification GVW 6.95-tonne Engine mDI Tech, four- cylinder, 2.5 L BSVI Max. Power 60.5 kW @ 3200 rpm Max. Torque 220 Nm @ 1250-2200 rpm Transmission Five-speed gearbox Tyres four-tyre, 8.25 x 16 Fuel Tank Capacity (litre) 60-litre Cabin (Tiltable) 1.85 m Variant CBC, HSD Wheelbase 2750 mm, 3320 mm Internal Load Body Size DSD : 3200 mm x 2005 mm x 1380 mm HSD : 4267 mm x 2005 mm x 1380 mm at Rs.15.18 lakh and the Furio 7 six-tyre tipper with a 2.8 cu. M. fully built tipper priced at Rs.16.82 lakh. The platform The Furio platform was envisaged as a modular platform capable of delivering multiple configurations. The Furio 7 is testimony to it. Together with the Furio ICV range, MTBD, according to Gupta, is increasing its addressability in the market. Explained Dr Venkat Srinivas, Senior

Vice President - Product Development Head, Commercial Vehicles Mahindra Group that when the company envisaged the Furio platforms, it was never envisaged as a single platform. Dr Srinivas said, “We envisaged the urio from the lower end of the LCV platform all the way through to the ICV and up to the medium commercial vehicle segment and so the platform architecture is very much capable of delivering products in that entire

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Cover Story range.” He drew attention to the new LCV cabin as the third cabin to join the day and sleeper cabin variants found up the order in the ICV range. On the trend of modularity and product range consolidation, Dr Srinivas shared, “Over the recent days and past several years, when you see wild market shifts, you suddenly see certain segments going

up, and certain others coming down. One needs to clearly have the flexibility of trying to optimise investments and trying to make these products on the same platform which is a huge plus.” To deliver on the value propositions of the Furio 7, the company, according to Dr Srinivas, chose everything including the powertrains and all

Model: FURIO 7 HD CARGO Parameter Specification GVW 6950-tonne Engine mDI Tech, four-cylinder, 3.5 L BSVI Max. Power 91.5 kW @ 2500 rpm Max. Torque 375 Nm @ 1300-2000 rpm Transmission five-speed gearbox Tyres six-tyre, 7.5 x 16 Fuel Tank Capacity (litre) 75-litre Cabin (Tiltable) 1.85 m Variant CBC, DSD, HSD Wheelbase 2770 mm, 3320 mm Internal Load Body Size DSD : 3200 mm x 2005 mm x 502 mm HSD : 4267 mm x 2005 mm x 1380 mm

Jalaj Gupta, Business Head, Commercial Vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. aggregates very carefully to ensure the delivery of performance on several fronts, all the way from the concept-stage of the development to the start of production. Special attention was given to light-weighting, aerodynamics and the design fronts to deliver on the crucial fuel-economy assurance on the Furio 7. Hinting at more action in the space, Gupta, assured of meeting the demands of the risk averse LCV operator. He also emphasised on the resale value being

Model: FURIO 7 TIPPER Parameter Specification GVW 6950-tonne Engine mDI Tech, four-cylinder, 3.5 L BSVI Max. Power 91.5 kW @ 2500 rpm Max. Torque 375 Nm @ 1300-2000 rpm Transmission Five-speed gearbox Tyres six-tyre, 7.5 x 16 Fuel Tank Capacity (litre) 75-litre Cabin (Tiltable) 1.85 m Variant CBC, Fully Built TIPPER Wheelbase 2770 mm Internal Load Body Size 3375 mm x 1870 mm x 450 mm

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

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

cover story

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

ANTEE O AR

EZ GUARAN HAR CHE

TH TEE KE SAA

A RES

R VIC

TH TEE KE SAA

ANTEE O AR

EZ GUARAN HAR CHE

ANTEE O AR

Z GUARAN HAR CHEE

TH TEE KE SAA

A RE

transferable where, for instance, the second owner could also enjoy the benefits of the truck. Elaborating on the differentiators, Gupta, explained the ownership benefits customers can look forward to. “These include and are not limited to a higher mileage, higher payload, compact architecture, 85m narrow tilt cab, proven and rugged aggregates, best fit load body variants besides a host of superior features,” he said. The Furio 7 variants will be backed by touch points for the range which include 90 3S dealerships, 210 authorised service centres, 34 MPlaza outlets, 1600 spares retail outlets. MTBD is offering a three years unlimited kilometres (LCVs do ~25,000-30,000 kms on an annual basis), transferable warranty to sweeten the deal. In a twin value proposition, the company has assured potential customers of the Furio 7, those looking 13 to upgrade to the higher tonnage bracket in the LCV segment, a better mileage. Failing which the company will allow them to return the truck. Over the life cycle of this purchase, after a period of five years, those buyers looking to upgrade stand to benefit from an assured resale value announced by the company at the launch, Gupta concluded. ------------------------------Watch out for exclusive ‘Industry Talk With CV’ session interaction in the upcoming issue of CV Magazine.

STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE ON SIZEABLE LOADS. TIPPER MODEL

FURIO 7 TIPPER

GVW

6950 kg

Engine

mDI Tech, 4 Cylinder, 3.5 L BS 6

Maximum Power

91.5 kW @ 2500 rpm

Maximum Torque

375 Nm @ 1300-2000 rpm

Transmission

5 Speed Gearbox

Tyres

6 tyre, 7.5 x 16

Fuel Tank Capacity

75 Litre

Cabin (Tiltable)

1.85 m

Variant

CBC, Fully Built TIPPER

Wheelbase

2770 mm

Internal load body size

3375 x 1870 x 450 mm

PERFECT FOR

Construction Segments

Sand

Blue Metal

Stone

*For more details of this guarantee, visit www.mahindratruckandbu

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Dealership corner

The Pure Technicians At Sarbloh Motors At Chandigarh based dealership Sarbloh Motors, off-roading is only when it’s laced with the extreme. Sumesh Soman caught up with the pure technicians to understand offerings at the niche, one-stop-shop.

Jaskeerat Singh Nagra, Chief Executive Officer at Sarbloh Motors

oming across as pure technicians, at Chandigarh based Sarbloh Motors (Infinia Greentech Pvt. Ltd) founded in the year 2015, the motto is to make extreme offroaders available to all. Going

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

beyond the world of all-wheel drives, the one-stop-shop for extreme off-roading banks on extreme aggregates and build quality to withstand the scars of such a demanding drive. A testimony to this is the start of the Sarbloh

journey with making offroad vehicles ground up in six months. Today it can do the same job in one-sixth of the period. It is this niche capability that has opened new avenues for Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Sarbloh Motors, Jaskeerat Singh Nagra. Motivated by his Sikh roots that is known the worldover for making wrought iron available to all, Nagra, is behind making extreme-off roaders to all. Not just built locally but internationally within the reach of enthusiasts, professionals up to private organisations in special applications, and specialised forces like Indian army alike. In a day and age when the world is switching from pure mechanical engineering to

Dealership corner

A one-stop solutions provider, Sarbloh Motors is leveraging its roots in Rain Forest Challenges (RFC).

electronics engineering, Nagra is living up to the tag of a pure technician. Despite his electronics roots, he refuses to give up on the purest form of engineering - Mechanical. This DNA reflects in his workshop cum dealership too. A one-stop solutions provider, Sarbloh Motors is leveraging its roots in Rain Forest Challenges (RFC), well known as a hot testbed for putting such specialised vehicles through their paces. Customisation and restoration, servicing and preps for the expedition are given at Sarbloh. The company is also engaged with international brands like Sherp International for catering to the market of disaster relief and rescue special application vehicles. Most recently, the company was credited for bringing the Sherp N 1200 IND Amphibious All-Terrain Vehicle (AATV) for demo and pilot runs on challenging terrains

with the Indian army and Natural Disaster Relief Forces (NDRF). For the distribution of the latter, the company has formed a dedicated subsidiary in Gecko Motors Pvt. Ltd. as the official arm of Sherp India for Ukraine’s Quadro International. The Iron Scorpio, a lightattack vehicle designed and

built by Preferred Chassis Fabrication Inc., USA. and the Gecko S, a rear-engine sand-rail prototype are the other vehicles that the company is banking on for growth. A subsidiary company is registered with the Ministry of MSME as a micro-manufacturing enterprise - IronScorpian

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Dealership corner HMV Pvt. Ltd dedicated to the former vehicle. As a manufacturing enterprise, the company classifies for National Industry Classification Code (NIC) on the manufacture of bodies for motor vehicles including attachments for such vehicles besides parts and accessories not limited to brakes, gearboxes, axles, road wheels, suspension shock absorbers, radiators, silencers, exhaust pipes, catalysers, clutches, steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes etc. The scope of the classification also extends to chassis fitted with engines for motor vehicles. Sarbloh’s services extend beyond technical services to procurement and or sourcing the necessary parts and ancillaries including the winch, suspensions, trailers to name a few. This is backed by capabilities of modifications and extensions to ultimately fulfil the customer’s needs.

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Customers keen to source their parts and use the expertise of Sarbloh for assembly are also catered to making the dealership home to a variety of offerings, at relevant price points. Steering clear of falling in the rut by offering mass volumes of a tried and tested product, Nagra would rather have Sarbloh Motors diversify into unchartered territories and succeed at it. A testimony to this is Sarbloh’s arm Gecko Motors developing an autonomous platform for defence applications with the characteristic extreme off-road capability. In another instance, a high-speed platform for desert runs is also under construction at Gecko. It marks a significant shift from indulging in RFC builds in high numbers to accommodating one-off builds. Banking on the affinity of millennials for adventure sport, Sarbloh Motors considers itself to be well placed

and well equipped to meet such demands. Pointing at the mountainous terrains like the Union Territory of Ladakh becoming a preferred destination, Nagra hinted at the trend giving birth to more specialised offspring of the extreme off-roaders. Citing the lack of attention paid to forest management and climate change linked to natural disasters, Sarbloh Motors, according to Nagra, will also look at offering extreme off-roader variants for such applications. Inspired by the Russian philosophy of mobility, of keeping it simple, Nagra mentioned, “Without making too much noise, these vehicles can accomplish so much more than what I think many of the more advanced or more complicated machines do.” “Indian offroad landscape is at a nascent stage which translates to many opportunities for growth,” he concluded.

THE VOTE FOR

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Game CHANGER

Champion OEM Incentive Scheme

In line with the Union Budget 2021-22 announcement of the PLI outlay, the government of India approved the scheme for the automobile industry. Ashish Bhatia visitED the fine print to gauge the industry sentiment.

n the Union Budget 2021-2022, under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, Rs.1.97 Lakh crore was allocated for creating “global manufacturing champions” across 13 sectors including industries and services. Back then, the PLI scheme was expected to help the Indian auto industry to improve production efficiency and become self-reliant or ‘AtmaNirbhar’. The allocation

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

of Rs.57,042 crore by the Union Cabinet with the Department of Heavy Industries as the implementing ministry was looked at as a step in the right direction. One that would help the industry generate employment and boost economic growth. It will aid in the transformation of the automotive manufacturing base, as per Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General at CII. “This will add to the country’s cost-competitive

value chain, de-risk the supply chains and go a long way in developing the country as a world-class self-reliant, globally competitive, and future-ready automotive manufacturing base,” he opined. The recognition of the manufacturing sector as an integral part of the global supply chain was well received as a boost to the industry. On one hand, it was looked at as a development with the potential of encouraging

“This will add to the country’s costcompetitive value chain, de-risk the supply chains and go a long way in developing the country as a world-class self-reliant, globally competitive, and futureready automotive manufacturing base.” Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General at CII.

“PLI has the potential to substantially increase volumes and will provide a huge opportunity for exports to grow.” Vipin Sondhi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Ashok Leyland and Vice President, SIAM

“Encouraging production of auto components using advanced technologies will boost localisation, domestic manufacturing and also attract foreign investments.” Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors

“The scheme is quite distinct when compared to other sectoral schemes and it addresses existing competitive gaps and aims to foster rapid tectonic technological shifts to leverage opportunities arising from the realignment of global.” Vikram Kirloskar, President, CII & Vice-Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor

Game CHANGER global manufacturing firms while on the other hand, the scheme was expected to provide incentives for local manufacturing firms to expand. On the whole, the government set out to attract investment in the areas of core competency and cutting-edge technology, ensure efficiencies, create economies of scale, enhance exports and make India an integral part of the global supply chain. Averred Vipin Sondhi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Ashok Leyland and Vice President, SIAM, said, PLI has the potential to substantially increase volumes and will provide a huge opportunity for exports to grow. This scheme is being announced at an opportune time for India as the auto industry realigns its supply chain globally. The fine print The Rs.57,042 crore outlay of the PLI Scheme for the auto and auto components industry is exclusive of the outlay of Rs.18,100 crore for the Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery. It is also exclusive of the Rs.5000 crore outlay for electronics and technology products. Additionally, the PLI Scheme for White Goods (air conditioners and LED lights) to be implemented over FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29 has an outlay of Rs.6238 crore. The recent announcement confirmed a budgetary outlay of Rs.26,058 crore for the automobile industry together with the drone industry. Aimed at incentivising highvalue Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) vehicles and products, the scheme is

expected to herald a new age in higher technology, more efficient and green automotive manufacturing. Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors stated, “It reiterates India’s holistic commitment to a sustainable future and accelerates the country’s progress towards green mobility. Several meaningful incentives have been offered across the entire value chain engaged in manufacturing of battery powered electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell, as well as their supporting infrastructure and exports.” On the closely linked supplier ecosystem, Wagh added, “Encouraging production of auto components using advanced technologies will boost localisation, domestic manufacturing and also attract foreign investments. This will help component manufacturers strive for scale, which will require setting up of new facilities and create more jobs. With auto being a strategically important sector of the economy, the benefits accrued overall will result in a multiplier effect.” With the announcement of PLI schemes for 13 sectors, a minimum additional production in India is expected to be around Rs.37.5 lakh crore over five years. It is expected to generate a minimum expected additional employment of one crore over the same period. The PLI outlay for the auto sector will look to overcome the cost disabilities to the industry for the manufacture of AAT products in India. It is expected to draw in fresh investments for an indigenous global supply chain of AAT products.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Game CHANGER

MoRTH Notification Under Vehicle Scrappage Policy As per the recent Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notification on issues pertaining to concession under the vehicle scrappage policy, there is a system of incentives put in place. It is expected to nudge vehicle owners to discard old and polluting vehicles known to have higher maintenance and fuel consumption costs. MoRTH has issued a GSR Notification 720(E) dated October 05, 2021, in the Gazette of India, which shall come into force from April 01, 2022. The incentive of scrappage stipulates a concession in the motor vehicle tax. The notification stipulates a concession

for a vehicle registered against submission of the “Certificate of Deposit” issued by a registered vehicle scrapping facility. The concession on offer is up to 15 per cent, in the case of transport (commercial) vehicles. And will be made available for up to eight years. there shall be no concession in the motor vehicle tax in case of transport vehicles, after eight years. For the purposes of this rule, these periods shall be reckoned from the date of first registration. The disincentives include an increase in the fitness certification fee of transport vehicles more than 15 years old.

Issue of certificates of registration and assignment of new registration mark or renewal of the certificate of registration:-

Type of vehicle

Three-wheeler/Quadricycle Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) Medium Goods Vehicle Heavy Goods Vehicle Imported Motor Vehicle (two- and three-wheeler) Imported Motor Vehicle (four or more-wheeled) Any vehicle excluded above

Amount

New Registration - Rs.600 Renewal of Registration - Rs.2500 New Registration - Rs.600 Renewal of Registration - Rs.5000 Rs.1000 Rs.1500 New Registration - Rs.2500 Renewal of Registration - Rs.10000 New Registration - Rs.5000 Renewal of Registration - Rs.40000 New Registration - Rs.3000 Renewal of Registration - Rs.6000

Conducting test of a vehicle for grant and renewal of the certificate of fitness for motor vehicles older than 15 years: Type of vehicle Three-wheeler/LMV/Quadricycle Medium Goods Vehicle Heavy Goods Vehicle

Amount Manual - Rs.800 Automated - Rs.1000 Manual - Rs.800 Automated - Rs.1300 Manual - Rs.1000 Automated - Rs.1500

Grant of renewal of the certificate of fitness for motor vehicles (transport) older than 15 years: Type of vehicle Three-wheeler/Quadricycle LMV Medium Goods Vehicle Heavy Goods Vehicle

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Amount Rs.3500 Rs.7500 Rs.10000 Rs12500

Game CHANGER “Thrust on incentivising new-age technologies will facilitate the creation of a stateof-the-art automotive value chain in the country and give a much-needed impetus to the manufacturing of cutting edge automotive products in India.” Sunjay Kapur, Chairman at Sona Comstar and President at ACMA.

“The PLI scheme will enable a smooth, yet accelerated transition to sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility solutions, bringing overall progress to business and society.” Harsha Kadam, Managing Director and CEO, Schaeffler India Ltd

“This will encourage our outlook towards exports from year on year, especially on the auto components manufacturing side of the business where we expect it to boost production.” Tanuj Mittal, Director Sales, Customer Process Experience - India at Dassault Systèmes.

For the automobile and auto components industry, this could translate to a fresh investment of over Rs.42,500 crore, with an incremental production of over Rs.2.3 lakh crore. It holds an employment generation potential of over

7.5 lakh jobs. On the whole, it is expected to increase India’s share in the global automotive trade. Notably, the scheme applies to existing automotive companies as well as new investors yet to join the automobile or auto component manufacturing business. As ‘sales value linked’ scheme, the Champion OEM Incentive Scheme is known to be applicable on Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCV) of the overall pie. Vikram Kirloskar mentioned, “The scheme is quite distinct when compared to other sectoral schemes and it addresses existing competitive gaps and aims to foster rapid tectonic technological shifts to leverage opportunities arising from the realignment of global.” The Component Champion Incentive scheme as a ‘sales value linked’ scheme is known to be applicable on AAT components of vehicles, Completely Knocked Down (CKD)/ Semi Knocked Down (SKD) kits, vehicle aggregates of commercial vehicles and tractors etc. Explained Sunjay Kapur, Chairman at Sona Comstar and President at ACMA, “Thrust on incentivising new-age technologies will facilitate the creation of a state-of-the-art automotive value chain in the country and give a much-needed impetus to the manufacturing of cutting edge automotive products in India.” Harsha Kadam, Managing Director and CEO, Schaeffler India Ltd., drew attention to the accelerated transition to

a sustainable and more environment friendly mobility as a result. “The Government of India has taken a holistic approach to promote the development of advanced mobility technologies locally and future-proof India’s capabilities and self-sufficiency.” “With a special focus on the localisation of advanced technologies in auto components, India is poised to be an energetic player in the global ecosystem of sustainable mobility. The PLI scheme will enable a smooth, yet accelerated transition to sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility solutions, bringing overall progress to business and society,” he said. With the automotive industry looking to actively open up non-automotive revenue streams, as a means of expansion, the PLI Scheme for the Drones and Drone components industry is aimed at addressing such strategic, tactical and operational uses. The PLI for the Drones and Drone components industry spans three years and is expected to draw in investments worth Rs.5,000 crore, increase in eligible sales of Rs.1500 crore and create additional employment of about 10,000 jobs. Tanuj Mittal, Director Sales, Customer Process Experience - India at Dassault Systèmes, opined, “This will encourage our outlook towards exports from year on year, especially on the auto components manufacturing side of the business where we expect it to boost production.”

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Game CHANGER

Agni Rakshak

Men, Women And Machines Project Mumbai in partnership with Mumbai Fire Brigade is silently building an army of Agni rakshaks. Ashish Bhatia graduated with the new batch AND cAme out with a fresh take into the designated roles of Men, Women and machines in the maximum city’s fire safety chain.

magine working closely with the brave officers of the Mumbai Fire Brigade on their next mission and being able to save a single life! Yes, any Mumbaikar can now volunteer to train as an ‘Agni Rakshak’ or a fire marshall to

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

contribute his or her bit to the fire safety chain of their immediate neighbourhood. Made possible by a unique citizen-led initiative from Project Mumbai, a model of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in collaboration with the Mumbai Fire

Game CHANGER

Brigade, the initiative aims to build on Mumbai Fire Brigades’ vision of upskilling commoners as fire marshals. The volunteers from across the city are equipped to be the first responders and prevent the next fire breakout from turning catastrophic. Speaking on the initiative, Rupali Gohil Vaidya of Project Mumbai said, “Citizens have the potential to become fire ambassadors of their neighbourhoods and work shoulder to shoulder with the fire officers in the instance of a fire disaster.” The exercise is expected to go a long way in helping save precious lives even before the first fire responders from the nearest fire station reach the

site. It is an effort to make every minute count from the time of the breakout, and an attempt to save every single life. The training module In one such training session, organised on the eve of the 75th Independence Day at the Borivali Regional Command Centre, the fire officials gathered, shared with those enrolled for the course, that the concept was first floated by an ex-Chief Fire Officer in 2016. Since then over 2500 fire marshals have been trained across the Byculla, Wadala and Borivali regional command centres of the Mumbai Fire Brigade. The plan is to revive the

sessions that were discontinued in the pandemic with the new initiative. On the certificate training course spread over a basic and an advanced module imparted for free to turn commoners into Agni Rakshaks, explained Vaidya, “With the knowledge of fire officers, citizens stand to gain crucial theoretical knowledge on the subject of fire including the types and degrees of fire and most importantly build self-awareness on their role in the next fire disaster that could be around the corner.” From equipping citizens to use basic equipment like the different types of fire extinguishers to taking that most crucial first step towards prevention. The interactive theoretical sessions impart valuable knowledge on fire and its types, fire handling equipment and types to be used for different fire scenarios, and the often overlooked part of people management and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be followed before calling in help from the Mumbai Fire Services hotline. The training module also includes a counselling session to help volunteers overcome their mental blocks and fears to in turn discharge their duties to the best of their abilities with the newfound skills as an Agni Rakshak. Devika Kapoor, Counsellor, Project Mumbai took the volunteers through the different layers of coping under pressure. The theoretical sessions are followed by practical fire extinguishing exercises with volunteers tasked with dousing the real-world simulated fires laid down by the Mumbai Fire Brigade at their designated regional command centres. For instance, the mock drills were led

Scan the QR code to watch CV’s day out with the Agni Rakshaks.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Game CHANGER by M.V. Sawant, Station Officer, Region III, Western. Of course, as the Agni Rakshaks earn their badge and subsequently the right to work in fire safety missions they realise that with great power comes great responsibility. The responsibility to not only keep themselves upgraded but share the knowledge to build awareness on the crucial subject of fire safety.

Volunteers undergoing the Level 1 training modules of a fire marshall at the Borivali Regional Command Centre.

The responders The roots of fire services can be traced to the period when fire services were a police function under the Government, and only handed over to the municipality as a full-time subject on April 01, 1887. Since then the brigade is known to be manned completely by Indians. What started as a basic exercise with the use of hand pumps and steam engines (Bamba) drawn by horses, fire stations (Bamba Khanas) today are well equipped with motorised special application

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

The new batch of Agni Rakshaks in the western suburbs

commercial vehicles in their fleet. A total of 35 fire stations, man the 467 sq. km. area holding a dense population of over two crore citizens. The municipality, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) with its sizeable budgets (~ Rs.30,000 crore per annum) has been able to ensure that the six regional command centres spread and planned across headquarter Byculla, Wadala, sub-headquarter Marol in the suburbs, Borivali, Vikhroli and Mankhurd are self-sufficient when it comes

to men, women, machines and infrastructure backing the fire marshalls. A 2500 strong force of fire personnel with 258 fire fighting vehicles are known to safeguard the city. Contrary to the perception of handling only fire safety incidents, the Mumbai Fire

Game CHANGER

Mumbai Fire Brigade under the aegis of BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation is well equipped to ensure the maximum city’s fire safety.

Brigade deals effectively with calls including and not limited to motor vehicle accidents, aircraft accidents and oil spillage to name a few automotive rescue missions. With scrappage yards, and electric vehicles added to the mix, and charging stations mushrooming all over the city, the role assumes an even greater significance than in the

past. At the Borivali Regional Command Centre, the capability of men, women and machines as responders backing the newly trained fire marshals is evident. A tour over the centre’s premises revealed the presence of MAN CLA 16.300, the newly inducted breathing apparatus van Tata 1109 Ex2, Volvo FM 500 fitted with a 4,05m

Bronto Skylift F78 HLA, double cabin Tata Yodha, mobile water transportation vehicle BharatBenz 1617, and a MAN TGM 18.330 for ferrying rescue teams and apparatus. Recently, a 55-metre flexible water tower with a pumping capacity of 6000-litres per minute was commissioned into the city’s fire brigade.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Game Changer

The Booster Shot For Tourism

As the only MTDC approved caravan vendor, Mumbai-based Motohom is offering custom solutions for travelers. Prateek Pardeshi ascertains if it’s the booster shot for reviving tourism.

aravans the world over are a popular mode of transport for those who seek nature’s solace. In India, however, adoption has far from taken off. It is also true that tourism was hit hard by Covid19 that is blamed for creating a fear of group travel. With the private bus and State Transport Undertakings (STUs) like Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC) suffering a blow as a result, travelers are on

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

the lookout for unique offerings like Motohom. As the only Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) approved caravan vendor, Mumbai-based Motohom Pvt. Ltd. finds itself uniquely poised for growth. The approval to caravan tourism received earlier this year has made a strong business case with the government offering incentives to caravan operators like Motohom. With its customised fleet of vehicles,

ranging from a Multi-Utility Vehicle (MUV) to intermediate and medium commercial vehicles that include vans and buses, Motohom offers tailor-made packages. On being the booster shot for the revival of tourism in the state of Maharashtra, in a candid conversation, Sachin Panchal, Founder at Motohom, expressed, “We are thankful to the Maharashtra government for giving us a platform. They supported a startup like us and gave us a free

Game Changer

hand. Today, other state government’s are seeing value and have started approaching us too.” The Motohom fleet Motohom has come to build a fleet of eight vehicles. On one end of the spectrum, the company offers an affordable self-drive campervan and on the other end of the spectrum, the company has luxury caravans to offer. Travellers looking to get their hands on a Motohom, can opt for a self-driving option in the Mahindra Marazzo, a seven seater MUV, for instance that can be driven on the private Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) license. To make the deal sweet, any breakdowns en route the journey are backed by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) on-road assistance. In this case from Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M). In such an instance, the company, claimed by Panchal, forgoes the rental for the day lost. Courtesy the MTDC tie-up, MTDC resorts across the state near the breakdown

Sachin Panchal, Founder of Motohom

site are available for seeking assistance too. Higher up the order, Motohom offers a modified Force Traveller, an eight-seater Leyland Viking, and a DC caravan, Isuzu D-max. The company also offers camper vans on Eicher chassis, custom bus and vanity van modification services. Approved modifications The business of Motohom is dependent on offering customised products built out of OE products from an inhouse workshop at Vasai. For instance, the company claims to transform a MUV like Marazzo into a camper van in just a day. The end result is one

that strikes a balance between retaining the OE warranty and offering an enhanced vehicle. The modified camper van offers amenities for sleeping, cooking, and a bicycle carrier, for example. During the conversion, explained Panchal, special care is taken to not fiddle with the components and ancillaries that threaten to void the OEM warranty. To power additional electric systems required onboard, a slave battery is fitted. The company makes use of Fire Retardant (FR) materials chosen for their flame resistance properties to ensure a safe ride. They are also claimed to help shave weight and attain Regional Transport Office (RTO) compliance. The caravan policy of the state requires the caravan to be registered with the Commissioner of Transport and acquire approvals from local authorities. Covering single axle, twin axle caravan tent trailer, and folding caravan to name a few, the caravans like Motohom offers also offer amenities like a toilet,

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Game Changer

bed, and a sofa table. These caravans also benefited from the nod to caravan parks with supporting amenities. The parks with a capacity to hold an estimated 20 caravans, in turn, are expected to be built in close proximity to MTDC resorts across the state to boost domestic tourism in line with the government initiative ‘Paryatan Parv’. It is

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

also committed to generating employment for the locals in these regions. Core and non-core revenue streams In operations for three years, for Motohom, the core revenue stream is the rental services. A self-driven camper van is priced at Rs.4500 per day for budget travellers while

those keen on luxury can avail of a Motohom caravan priced at Rs.21000 per day exclusive of GST. The latter includes a driver and cleaner to go with the price tag. With the utilisation of 20 days a month as of current, the company hopes to clock more trips in the months to come according to Panchal. The company, revealed

Game Changer

Panchal, is also awaiting a GR from the RTO for its towing caravan in the pipeline. It also stands to benefit from selfdriven cars being allowed to register as an additional boost to the company and other tourist operators alike. Notably, the new category of ‘Celebrations’ accounts for 50 per cent of its overall revenue pie. The company has additionally entered into car leasing wherein privately owned vehicles could look to attach to the Motohom fleet in a bid to expand further. The

company additionally offers a campervan partnership wherein people can attach their vehicles to the Motohom online platform on a revenuesharing basis. Growing footprint Motohom wants to expand its footprint beyond Maharashtra to other states. The company is closely monitoring the development of different state tourism policies to make inroads. Panchal shared that the company was already in talks

with the Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat tourism boards. To support its growth aspirations, the company is aiming to add another workshop in the western suburbs of Mumbai, in Goregaon. Being close to the Film City, it especially hopes to strengthen its offering and tap the growth potential of customised vanity vans finding a sweet spot in Bollywood. “We are also scouting for an investor to fuel our growth aspirations,” Panchal concluded.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Conference

Sustenance Is Key

At the 61st ACMA Annual Conclave, the industry hinted at sustenance as the key for seeing through the volatile phase. Team cv looks at the efforts in this direction.

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

he 61st ACMA Annual Conclave held a day after the SIAM annual conclave took forward the key points of interest and concern from the previous day. These were used to build upon and incorporate inputs of the components industry. Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s acknowledgement of the industry as a whole contributing to the Indian economy, the industry expressed gratitude for the recent government interventions and for its praises.

Conference The industry, it is well known, came forward to lend a helping hand to the government in the course of the pandemic through several out of the box initiatives. The pandemic also laid the foundation for accelerated changes in technology and services as a solution. The recent government interventions like the scrappage policy and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the auto and the auto components industry have played the role of a catalyst. It has helped the

industry reassess strategy across phases of survival, revival and growth. Sunjay Kapur, President, Auto Component Manufacturer Association (ACMA) mentioned “As it’s said, in a time of crisis, the medal of brave is tested and true character is revealed. I am extremely proud of our industry and the way we have supported each other to overcome the challenges”. The Indian automotive manufacturers and component producers helped each other and the government authorities in not

Kavan Mukhtiyar, Partner and Leader of Automotive at PwC India caught everyone’s attention when he

addressed the headwinds for the automotive industry. He touched upon uncertain economic growth, climate change, and the ability to manage volatility as the biggest differentiating factor. Mukhtiyar cited the best practices for the industry to follow in order to ensure a sustainable approach in these volatile times. On ‘SAFENET’, a new term coined for navigating volatility, he stated the below: 1. S-Strong - be ready with inventory and supplies, and strong enough to bear shocks 2. A- Agile - quickly respond to any situation promptly 3. F-Flexible - scale up or down products flexibly 4. N-Networked having a widespread of touch points 5. E- Enthusiastic - be passionate and resourceful enough even with limited resources 6. T-Technologically enabled - invest more in IT and operating technology Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Conference “As it’s said, in a time of crisis, the medal of brave is tested and true character is revealed. I am extremely proud of our industry and the way we have supported each other to overcome the challenges.” Sunjay Kapur, President, Auto Component Manufacturer Association (ACMA)

“India needs to de-risk supply chains by boosting localisation and reducing dependency on imports from China. We must immediately focus on localising machined components, lightweight polymerbased parts and BSVI parts over the next few quarters.” Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer NITI Aayog) just fighting the pandemic but in also helping revive the business. Manufacturers offered significant financial aid to designated funds, deployed vehicles for Covid care, contributed to frontline initiatives among other significant initiatives. At the same time, the industry did not falter in staging a revival based on its initiatives of sustenance. SS Kim, CEO at Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “Localised supply chains became evident as a means to hedge the risk of global disruptions. India needs to strongly focus on creating a robust vendor ecosystem, which will go a long way in making India a global manufacturing hub with government support.” Vocal for localisation Localisation is crucial, the industry agreed to. Going forward, the industry wants to see more local content per vehicle. In effect, the industry is working towards part localisation by reducing the dependence on imported content. It is expected to enable the industry to be in

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

complete control of the quality and costs of the finished goods. NITI Aayog’s, Chief Executive Officer, Amitabh Kant said, “India needs to de-risk supply chains by boosting localisation and reducing dependency on imports from China. We must immediately focus on localising machined components, lightweight polymer-based parts and BSVI parts over the next few quarters.” The pandemic is known to have resulted in the disruption of the supply chain and negatively impacted revenue and manufacturing timelines. Former ACMA President, Deepak Jain said, “A longterm, stable and technology agnostic roadmap that allows sufficient time for localisation of technologies would be critical for the survival and competitiveness of our industry.” Riding the EV wave The conclave was quick to address the growth of EVs and the supply-side and demandside dynamics associated. The local manufacturing of EVs and their components, it was agreed, would be crucial in the next phase. Manufacturer launches of EVs on a Year To Date (YTD) basis hint at a growing acceptance across the vehicular spectrum, from two-wheelers to heavy commercial vehicles. Kant mentioned, “Indigenisation of EVs and EV components is critical to riding the EV growth wave. We should not target to be a major importer of EV parts.” Kant was also quick to caution established manufacturers on the startups eroding their market shares as early movers instead. Leveraging big-data The pandemic forced the industry and its service arms

to come to a grinding halt. In FY2021, the sales exposure to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) degrew by three per cent; aftermarket degrew by seven per cent; exports degrew by eight per cent all in all forcing the industry to realign. This exercise received a short in the arm with the use of big data and an accelerated digitisation drive both upstream and downstream. Remote operations of the shopfloor and or remote technical briefs were unprecedented up until the pandemic. By the third quarter of 2020, Solutions-as-a-Service (SaaS) were well woven into the business model. A business model that will continue to thrive even after a post-pandemic scenario. Kant opined, “Globally, automakers are moving very fast in incorporating digital and analytics in their day-to-day operations. As manufacturing philosophy expands from Just-InTime to Just-in-Case, companies can win by leveraging data analytics and digital technology to grow faster”. Negating volatility Commenting on the transformation plans of OEMs, Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of India said, “The auto component industry in India is a testimony to India’s spirit of entrepreneurship. It accounts for over 2.3 per cent of India’s GDP and generates employment of over five million, making it a key driver of the Indian economy.” The auto components industry was advised to step up investments in Research and Development (R&D), other engineering aspects besides looking at transforming erstwhile business practices. On

Conference

Arun Goel, Secretary, Department of Heavy Industries, Government of India

Ashwani Gupta, Chief Operating Officer Nissan Motor Corporation

Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of, SCALE Committee and Former Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

automation deemed crucial for a quality, the minister cautioned the industry to balance it with human intervention. He advised the need for tier2s and tier3s often associated as the weak link in a value chain to realign in a bid to survive. On the need to work in tandem with OEMs for the supplier partners to stage a revival, R. C Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “The component industry is the backbone of car manufacturing. They enabled OEMs to restore production after lockdowns and restrictions.” Lauding the industry for its performance, Bhargava expressed hope on the components industry geared to compete with global giants while fulfilling industry demands. Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman of, SCALE Committee and Former Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., expressed, “I am proud of the quality shift from the 1990s to where we are today. Product development in India has evolved and so has the supplier ecosystem. Indian suppliers can rub shoulders with anyone globally.” Without knowing the word Atmanirbhar or self-reliance, OEMs and suppliers in India added Goenka have worked together over the past three decades to achieve where they are today. Admitting to the global status Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Conference is a long haul, he said there are many positives to believe the industry was in the right direction. Citing the industry’s struggles in coping up with components shortage case-inpoint being the semiconductor chips, Goenka credited ‘Antifragile’ for bringing in the much needed supply-side shock that the industry could benefit from. “They thrive to grow when exposed to volatility, and ad-hoc disruptions,” he exclaimed. Ashwani Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Nissan Motor Corporation gave the example of Nissan’s business transformation plan that the OEM undertook 20 months ago. He cited the plan to deal with the pandemic induced uncertainty; matching global trends; pacing itself for the future. Compared to manufacturing relying on 90100 days of inventory, Gupta claimed the industry was able to operate at one-tenth of the scale at nine to 10 days of inventory. “Removing inefficiencies from the market helps in gaining profits which were learnt in a pandemic,” he said. He focused on ‘migration’ as it contributed

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

to four major revolutions. Climate migration is one of the major concerns worldwide and a major contributor to it is global warming. He then referred to urban migration and also the new-age virtual migration. Gupta also spoke highly of all OEMs striving to attain carbon neutrality by 2050. The way forward The Indian market allows the co-existence of multiple technologies. Cautioned Jain, the government should plan the introduction of new technologies in such a way that it enables localisation of adequate technologies. In a manner that facilitates the components industry to offer higher valueadded solutions and realise the Return on Investment (RoI). Speaking about the permanent changes that the automotive industry foresees in future, Vipin Sondhi, Vice President, SIAM and MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland pointed that health crisis, scenario planning, accelerated adoption of alternative fuels, customer expectations, MaaS under the umbrella of sustainable

development will play a crucial role going forward. The transition to electric mobility on the other hand will require some policy support and some handholding from the customers, it was said. While talking about survival and revival during pandemics, cash preservation was called out as key for the future too. Engaging with the supply chain and being transparent with them was given its due at the conclave. Arun Goel, Secretary of Department of Heavy Industries, cautioned the industry to keep a check on the imports proportion and to back it with a robust ecosystem that can withstand the change in technology. With e-mobility, he said the industry had a long way to go on the localisation front from the present 50 per cent. He also drew attention to the role of accelerators or industry bodies in this time for development.

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Around The Globe Exclusive

Industry Talk Daimler Truck AG Strategy Karin Rådström, Member of the Board of Management at Daimler Truck AG, responsible for the regions Europe and Latin america and the Mercedes-Benz Truck brand in an exclusive conversation with Gianenrico Griffini, Chairman, International Truck of the Year talks strategy.

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Around The Globe Exclusive

Exclusive Q. Last May, during the Strategy Day, Daimler Trucks set out its ambitions in the commercial vehicle business. So far, are you on track with those challenging targets in Europe and South America? A. The long term target for Mercedes Benz trucks is to reach double-digit figures. I think that’s where we need to benchmark ourselves. And I would say, the plan towards that target, is both working on our top line and the bottom line. So to get to sell more, or to be more successful in specific segments, and to improve our service business, it’s also about reducing costs. And there we work both with personnel cost, non-personnel costs, like the indirect costs, production costs and material costs. So I think, we’re attacking more or less everything. And so far, it’s running according to the plan, We wish to do similar things in Europe and in Brazil. I would say we have a good programme in place, and we’re very closely tracking all the activities, making sure that we move them forward. Obviously, still a lot of work left to do. I would say we’re about halfway through. But I feel very confident that we’re on a good path. Q. In particular, which plans are you implementing in Europe and South America? Are you streamlining your

portfolio? A. An overarching theme, I would say is customer focus. One concrete example is Brazil. We are looking at our product portfolio. We have now launched SFTP Actros, we’ve gotten rid of some old products that we don’t market anymore. And we try to really focus on the ones that are demanded by the customers. In Europe, also, we’ve had a very big product portfolio, and we have streamlined it. So we have reduced the number of so-called monsters that we work with, but actually, as far as we see so far, with a very little customer impact. So it was a monster that was not demanded by the customers. And when we can get rid of that complexity, and all the costs that are related to having this big complexity including the documentation of workshop, spare parts we have to carry on with and stock. These are things we don’t necessarily even see. But we have done that job now. And I think it will also allow us to invest more into the products that we actually need. So that’s very concretely on the product side. When you look at what we are presenting today, we want to penetrate certain segments better. And since we talked about Actros L and Actros F, obviously, long haul segments and then with the small to medium customers

that’s where we’re doing a lot of activities. We think we have the potential to grow the market share of services. I mentioned, I think it’s both a huge potential in the current service business, just selling more contracts, having better parts availability that we’re working on. And also now with the new technologies, that’s an opportunity for us to be more solution-focused. In Brazil, we have a lot of potential to improve the aftersales business. So I think there are concrete actions in place to really make this transition happen. But of course, we need to keep working on it. Q. Daimler Truck sees significant growth potential in services. How are you planning to achieve the target of an increase in revenues on the service portfolio from the current 30 per cent towards 50 per cent by 2030? A. I think we have a lot of potential just in the traditional services. When we look at service contract penetration, we are really good in some markets and not so good in other markets. So we tried to focus on getting that up. And that usually also means that we will sell more parts and services when we have a contract. Another thing we also look at, and we now have made into one of our key KPIs is the turnover of parts and service on the 10 years rolling

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Around The Globe Exclusive

fleet in each market. And there, we also see that we have huge regional differences. So we’ve started working in a more structured way to see what are we doing right and say Norway, or Switzerland that we can carry over to. Denmark, in Austria, to give another example. From a mid-term perspective, we’ve started to prepare for having a truck with dedicated parts to logistics. And I think this will be a big difference for our customers. Since today, that’s all handled through the cargo organisation, I would say sometimes the need is a bit different. Like this summer, my

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

car broke down. I just got to borrow another one. So I don’t really care if I’m in the workshop, a couple of days. But for a truck company, that’s not always possible if it’s a very special application, and so on. So we need another level of spare parts availability. So I think that will also help our traditional service business. And then, of course, with e-mobility, and with hydrogen, we see a big potential on the ecosystem side. And then also with digital services, I think we have big potential for connectivity with the Daimler Fleetboard. We work with ‘Habbl’ for logistics and route optimisation.

And also there, it’s really I would say, in the early phase, with a lot of growth potential. Then there is also predictive maintenance and financial services aspect that I am looking at with growth potential. Q. Electrification both with BEV and FCEV vehicles is one of the main pillars of the Daimler Truck strategy in the coming years. Do you think Daimler can still achieve the 60 per cent ZEV selling volumes by 2030, despite market disturbances? A. It’s quite well worked through, and it would make sense for more than

Around The Globe Exclusive

60 per cent of our customers to buy an electric truck instead of a diesel one. So I think, there there is a lot of work behind the TCO calculation. When you look at this calculation, it depends so much on each factor. If one factor were to change, like the price of electricity, or assumptions we make on battery prices, it can change. But I think it doesn’t really matter whether it’s 2030, or 2032. I think the direction is clear. Q. What scenario for alternative trucks do you foresee (and prefer)? A very slow rate uptake for some years, followed by an exponential

increase of volumes or, conversely, a steady, linear increase? A. It will be based on the TCO development. And when I say TCO, I think I mean, one part of that is actually also the subsidy programmes. And I think we saw that with city buses, all of a sudden, a city is going to be emission-free. Then you don’t need to because it’s just decided. We start to see that the zero-emission zones, maybe will make certain applications transition faster, even though the pure TCO is not there. So super hard to predict, which is why I mean, I think we’re quite prepared for different

scenarios. As an engineer, I like the idea of a steady increase and not this, as I call it the hockey stick curve. How we now have planned is that we will have flexibility also in our production system for different technologies. Q. Which one of these elements makes the difference in alternative truck uptake by the market: reliable BEV/FCEV vehicles with a TCO equal (or better) than a diesel, offering the customer a complete solution portfolio, economic incentives, and availability of a suitable charging network? A. I think it depends on what you put into the word TCO. If you look at the whole business case of the customer, I mean, we start to see already in certain applications. I actually spoke to a customer in Turkey two days ago, and they said, a company like Nike that they were driving for, is already willing to pay 20 per cent more if it’s a sustainable office, a zero-emission truck transporting. We start to see it from like the big corporate like the IKEAs and Procter and Gamble and a couple of other big ones. If this trend accelerates and I think it will, it will also be part of the TCO. So maybe it will make sense to transition faster. Our customers are very logical people and they will do the switch when it makes sense. While TCO will be the deciding factor I would also put in the price on what subsidies the customer will get access to and what will the tax on CO2 develop like? With all of this, it will be TCO driven for sure. Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Around The Globe

EU Progress On Road Safety

Driven by EU regulations, commercial vehicles continue to make significant and rapid progress. Ashish Bhatia with inputs from Prateek Pardeshi checked on measures for safer EU roads by 2022.

he European Union(EU) is determined to put an end to road fatalities by 2022. Following the instance of several fatalities involving motor vehicles like commercial vehicles, the EU proposed to mandate key safety systems that hold the potential to reduce such fatalities leading up to 2022. Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council on type-approval requirements extended to motor vehicles

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

including trucks and buses, vans, trailers and systems, components and separate technical units. Building on the May 2018 ‘Europe on the move’ package, aimed at making mobility systems safer, cleaner and automated, the 2019 mandate covered general safety and the protection of vehicle occupants including vulnerable road users. As per the mandate, vehicles would have to be equipped with advanced safety systems. The move, according to Timo

Timo Harakka, Minister of Transport and Communications, Finland.

Harakka, Minister of Transport and Communications, Finland, had the potential to reduce road fatalities and severe

Around The Globe injuries on EU roads by a significant margin. It was said to address specific concerns of the vulnerable users, a decade after its predecessor. With it, improves the global competitiveness of locally produced vehicles. OEM obligations The mandate, in effect, meant that truck, bus, and van Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) were required to comply. Manufacturers had their task cut out when they were asked to include intelligent speed assistance; alcohol interlock installation facilitation; driver drowsiness and attention warning systems; advanced driver distraction warning systems; emergency stop signals; reversing detection systems; event data recorders and accurate tyre pressure monitoring. In addition to these, vans were required to include advanced emergency braking systems; emergency lane-keeping systems and enlarged head impact protection zones given that the penetration of vans among other categories of personal vehicles grew from three per cent in 1996 to 14 per cent in 2016, forcing a relook. The mandate also introduced guidelines on manufacturing trucks and buses. This category of vehicles was asked to be designed and manufactured with a special focus on the significant reduction of life-threatening blind spots. Using advanced systems, for instance, the proximity of cyclists and pedestrians to the vehicle would be detected. Building upon regulation

(EU) 2019/2144, the regulation is known to have paved the way for a look at emerging segments like hydrogen-powered vehicles and automated vehicles. For instance, in the case of hydrogen vehicles, the regulation called for uniform procedures and technical specifications for the type approval of hydrogen-powered vehicles. It extended to hydrogen systems pertaining to material compatibility and fuelling receptacles including type approval of components and their technical specifications. The focus is as much on future technical developments. Not just that, the EU commission, in a holistic approach looked at road safety management too. This extended to better design of roads, tunnels and bridges where these vehicles ply. It is in line with the mission programme to attain zero fatalities by 2050 as per the sustainability and smart mobility strategy are known to have been adopted on December 09, 2020. A network-wide road assessment will be carried out every five years to evaluate

road accident risk. The regulation stated the need to build dedicated technical units at the Union level. The systems are to be built to last the life cycle of the vehicle in concern. A switch-off feature must be under the direct control of the driver in case of inappropriate feedback received from such advanced systems owing to extreme weather conditions, conflicting road markings, or defective and or misleading road signs. Here member states were assigned with the responsibility of conducting road safety analysis and assessing the effectiveness of the features introduced. Active safety at CV majors In line with the EU safety regulation, Daimler Trucks AG is actively working towards a zero-accident goal. According to Ingo Scherhaufer, Head - Active Safety at the OEM, the company is all for such safety systems and their mass availability. Citing the need to be clear on the relevance of systems for different vehicle systems, like differentiating a van from a truck or for that

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Around The Globe

Scherhaufer, Head-Active Safety, Daimler Trucks

matter a bus from a truck, Scherhaufer drew attention to the development of systems for different accident situations. In trucks, for example, he explained the cause of accidents due to rear-end collisions and lane departures majorly. To address these concerns, the company is banking on systems like the Active Brake Assist 5 capable of responding to hard braking. Active Brake Assist (ABA) Level 5 makes use of data from a suite of radar and sensors delivered to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). When the ECU detects close proximity, it transmits data to the actuator, and the brakes are applied automatically, even if the driver fails to engage

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

the brake pedal. The ABA level 5 system operates in two stages: the first stage provides the driver with a visual and aural (audible) warning ahead of the truck initiating partial braking. The safety system overrides the braking system and uses its full potential to bring the truck to a complete halt backed by hazard light alerts. This technology is capable of detecting both stationary and moving pedestrians. Within the urban borders, this system operates at a speed of 50 kmph. On highways, the technology identifies both moving and stationary vehicles up to a speed of 80 kmph. ABA level 5 was recently developed and the New Daimler Actros, and other variants are equipped with this feature. The chance of a catastrophe is significantly lowered by using this safety feature. Daimler also offers the ‘MirrorCam’ and the ‘Sideguard Assist’ on the new Actros. Of the two, the

MirrorCam adds intelligence to conventional truck mirrors. Known to operate with digital cameras, it transmits images to the displays fitted on the A-pillars. The end result is an enhanced 360-degree view over previous generations. Coupled with the Sideguard Assist, it covers the right-hand side of the vehicle often out of the driver’s purview. For instance, if a vulnerable person like a cyclist or a pedestrian is approaching from the right, the MirrorCam relays a visual warning. An audible warning follows it. The Sideguard Assist is available on Mercedes-Benz Actros long-distance haulage trucks and has been made available on Mercedes-Benz Arocs construction vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Econic, Daimler Buses and the Fuso Super Great in Asia. Scania AB has been a supporter of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (CITS) for some time now. CITS is known to have facilitated the connection between OEMs, and OEMs with road operators. Aimed at increasing road traffic safety. Truck platooning, for instance, has multi-brand trucks platooning on European roads supported by the investment of heavy vehicle manufacturers like Scania. In November 2020, the company launched Electrically Assisted Steering (EAS) aimed at enhancing driver experience with safety assistance. The Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), as is expected, reduces driver fatigue and claims to make them more alert. The EAS driven ADAS is known to become active at 60 kmph with the driver required

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Scania 730S

to keep hands on the steering wheel at all points and times. Scania offered it as an option on its trucks range. In addition, the inward swing door on the L-series contributes to enhanced visibility. In 2021, Scania tested selfdriving trucks in collaboration with TUSimple. It is known to have covered level 4 on the 5-point SAE scale of self-driving vehicles. Entail self-driving under driver supervision, has the test engineer onboard on the truck monitoring and verifying

the feedback from the truck sensors responsible for autonomous driving. Hans Nordin, responsible for the Hub2hub project, states that the experience gained from these tests is testimony to autonomous vehicles becoming a reality especially in closed areas like mines and terminals. He admitted to the technology taking a little more than half a decade especially on roads with two-way traffic. Through Scania’s venture capital fund, the company is known to have invested Euro

7.5 million as a push for its Light Detection and Ranging (LiDar) technology. Scania has got its truck cabs certified with a Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA). MAN Truck & Bus has demonstrated its focus on safety systems in trucks. The company’s assistance systems include a MAN attention guard that helps detect unusual

MAN TGX

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

Around The Globe steering behaviour triggering a driver warning. It triggers at speeds greater than 60 kmph and evaluates key performance metrics to evaluate the driver level of attention. The warnings are both visual and acoustic in nature and available on the International Truck Of The Year MAN TGX and the MAN TGM. The MAN Lane Change Support system monitors the left and right-hand sides of the truck. It is particularly useful when changing lanes and gives out a two-stage warning using LED bands in the A-pillars. It triggers at a speed of 50 kmph. The MAN Turn Assist comes in handy to monitor blind spots on the co-driver side. Using two radars the driver is offered a 180-degree view at speeds sub 30 kmph. It alerts the driver during a tricky turn and

Volvo FM Electric

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

triggers a three-stage warning using LED bands in the A-pillar. It gives the driver time to react and prevent a collision. Through MAN Brake Assist, the driver is warned in emergency braking situations. Using a combination of a radar sensor (front of the vehicle) and a camera (on the windscreen), traffic is monitored on a continuous basis to study distances, positions and speeds and trigger emergency braking when needed. In case of emergency braking to prevent a rear-end collision, light system signals alert surrounding vehicles with an increasing flash rate. Notably, as a standard, the emergency brake assist cannot be switched off. It is available on the MAN TGX, TGS, TGL and TGM. Volvo Trucks Corporation

is equally focused on the zero-accidents goal. Of the belief that the safest accident is the one that doesn’t happen, the CV major has built smart safety systems too. For instance, in its electric trucks range, to introduce an ambient sound, the company has built an acoustic alert sound system. It is designed to alert vulnerable users by making them aware of approaching trucks. From July 01, 2021, electric trucks in Europe are mandated to emit a certain sound level when travelling at sub 20 kmph speeds (56 dB at 20 kmph). This sound increases at higher levels. Through four sound variants, the pedestrian is informed on moving forward, idling, and reversing for example. Quieter vehicles are

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Scan the QR code to watch the demo of the safety features discussed in the article.

required to have an external acoustic vehicle alerting system. “We truly welcome this new legislation. From when we were children, we have learnt to rely not only on what we see but also what we hear in traffic – sometimes so much so that we don’t even look before crossing a street! With our new alert system, we want to help ensure that pedestrians and cyclists notice when they are close to our electric trucks,” states Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks. In the new generation of Volvo FH, FH 16, FM and FMX, safety is a key focus area too. For instance, in the new cab, the raised A-pillars introduce light to the workspace. Driver visibility is improved with the addition of a passenger corner camera

warning with an emergency brake is aimed at preventing accidents. The safety system makes use of a camera and a radar to calculate distance and for on-road object identification.

Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks

that gives enhanced side vision on an in-cabin display. Through ‘Distance Alert’, the windscreen warns drivers with a red light on getting too close to the vehicle ahead. This is crucial to preventing a collision. Part of collision

Open to feedback It is unanimously agreed that roadworthiness is crucial to road safety coupled with the twin objective of attaining the environmental object over the vehicle lifecycle. While it is adding to the complexity of vehicles in the EU, a vehicle inspection is also evolving. For fine-tuning the initiative, the European Commission has invited feedback from stakeholders in the first phase until November 01, 2021, to be followed by a round of public consultation and commission adoption.

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

International

Massey Ferguson 6S And 7S Series

Massey Ferguson has unveiled the upgraded 6S and the new 7S tractor lineup. Deepti Thore looks at the inclusions and implements for the series.

Ferguson MF 6S Series delivers concentrated performance and enables smart operation.

assey Fergusson celebrated the ‘Born To Farm’ event with farming equipment and digital services for the farming community around the globe. Centred on ease of operability and profitability, the company launched the revamped 6S and 7S series of tractors. Providing smart farming options, the new tractors, according to Thierry Lhotte, Vice-President and Managing Director, Massey

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

Ferguson- Europe and the Middle East, are claimed to deliver straightforward and dependable experience. “Supported by a range of ‘farmer’s first’ design features, and connected to a secured digital ecosystem that provides a range of services to deliver actionable and predictive data, they enable any farming business to make better decisions with the assurance of 100 per cent machine uptime, low Total Cost of Operation

(TCO) and sustainable profitability”, he states in the company release. Aimed at improving farmer productivity and crop yields, the new 6S series of five tractors replace the outgoing 6700 series. As a testimony to the product development objectives being met, the 6S encompasses five tractor variants with the four-cylinder, 135 hp to 200 hp offerings coupled with Engine Power Management (EPM). EPM here

International offers an additional juice of 15-20 hp to the operator for meeting transport, PTO work or the demanding hydraulic requirements. The 7S series of four tractors is a means to offer a step up to farmers looking at an intermediate offering between the 6S and the upper flagship 8S range. With the nine tractors across the two series, Massey Ferguson presents a strong case for tailor-made offerings to operators to in turn meet different duty cycles across farm acreage. Designed in keeping with the neo-retro family design, these are claimed to offer higher levels of comfort and control. The 6S and 7S are claimed to deliver concentrated performance backed by smart operations. Through MF the Connect Telemetry feature, farmers can look forward to a seamless transfer of machine data through a secured cloud to the farm office desktop or mobile phone app. With big data, the farmer can look forward to scaling up the business,

The ease of operation of the vehicle is further enhanced with the Multipad (ISOBUScompatible controller).

profitably with access to crucial metrics like machine location, fuel consumption, refuel requirement and machine health. 6S series The 6S range of five tractors MF 6S.135, MF 6S.145, MF 6S.155, MF 6S.165 and the MF 6S.180 present a choice of specifications Essential, Panoramic, Efficient and Exclusive. In terms of the

operating environment, the cab of the 6S itself is known to have drawn legacy features from the flagship 8S. These include new air conditioning and a low NVH. The operator can look forward to a quieter (70 dBA) cabin. The Visio Roof option is claimed to improve the vision, providing a clear view of the load through the lift range. The MF E-Loader feature aids in loading accuracy, productivity

Commercial Vehicle www.commercialvehicle.in | October 2021

International

MF 7S operators benefit from significant cab improvements offering more comfort and better control.

and safety. For implements, it offers the Bucket Shake facility. This feature enables operators to weigh individual fork or bucket loads and record the total weights of each item, load or job. Operators get an integrated, factory-fitted loader sub-frame, along with an MF FL Series loader already fitted on select models. Through the Fieldstar 5 terminal option, operators can run all the smart farming operations on a dedicated

Massey Ferguson MF 7S Series with its new models has introduced a new era of smarter tractor performance.

Commercial Vehicle October 2021 | www.commercialvehicle.in

interface. The ease of operation is further enhanced with the Multipad (ISOBUS-compatible controller). Operatable with a single lever, the 4.75 m turning radius helps repeatability of operations and ease of manoeuvrability. This hub for tractor functions is connected to a user-friendly Datatronic 5.9-inch touch-screen terminal. In the Exclusive and Efficient variants, this terminal provides access to digital audio-video streams from radio and plug and play devices. The 6S offers high power to weight ratio and Massey is claimed to have shaved off 400 kg in comparison to the six-cylinder variants. At 12.5-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and 44.5-tonne Gross Combination Weight (GCW), the series is powered by the 4.9-litre AGCO Power engine. The ‘All-in-one’ Selective Catalytic Reduction

(SCR) unit tucked under the cab helps 6S comply with the stringent Stage V emission norms. The engine can be mated to the Dyna-VT Super Eco, or the Dyna-6 SuperEco, semi-powershift with AutoDrive as per operator requirement. 7S series The 7S range of four tractors 7S.155, 7S.165, 7S.180 and 7S.190, essentially offers all the bells and whistles of the 6S series and allows the operator to meet their additional requirements with a 4.93 m turning radius. There is a three-point linkage lift capacity of 9.6-tonne on the rear and up to four-tonne at the front, with up to a 14-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and a Gross Combination Weight (GCW) of up to 44.5-tonne. Its key USP is its sixcylinder AGCO Power engine that can be mated to the Dyna6 or Dyna-VT transmissions.

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