Eletra (Tecnologia de Tração Elétrica) - recognized as a national and international reference company in development of electric traction systems for buses - has signed exclusive partnership agreements with Grupo Moura, the leader in battery sales in South America and XALT Energy, specializing in energy solutions for heavy vehicles, to develop electric buses to be manufactured in Brazil.

Scania do Brasil Ltda has said it is forecasting continued market growth across all industrial areas in which it participates (trucks, buses, services and industrial, marine and power generation engines) in 2019.

In its centenary year in Brazil, Ford Brasil Ltda surprised the market in February by announcing it is to close its factory in São Bernardo do Campo where it produces the Ford F-Series models and Ford Cargo truck, as well as the Ford Fiesta car; production is expected to cease as soon as inventories run out, the company stated.

Hap Seng Trucks Distribution Sdn Bhd took over the Daimler commercial vehicle general distribution business from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia in November 2018.

Commercial vehicle manufacturer, VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd - the commercial vehicle manufacturing joint venture and subsidiary of Sweden’s Volvo AB and Eicher Motors Ltd - has introduced Wabco’s OptiDrive AMT system to its 6-speed gearbox in the Eicher Pro 3016 16t gvw rigid truck model.

Tata Motors Ltd has announced it has received a Bharat Stage VI Type Approval certificate for its 3.8-litre NA SGI CNG engine from ARAI ahead of other manufacturers.

The Automotive Research Association of India has announced it is to establish a fourth testing facility on the outskirts of Pune.

ZF Friedrichshafen AG has opened a new ZF branded shock absorber production line at the headquarters of ZF India Pvt Ltd as part of plans to expand its portfolio of locally-made products for the Indian commercial vehicle sector.

Automotive Research Association of India has designed a light weight bus body that is fully compliant with the body building code that ARAI claims delivers fuel savings of 8% compared with current commercial buses.

Tata Motors Ltd has launched four new light and medium-duty truck models - LPT 9121, LPK 9121, LPK 12122 and LPT14123 - in Bhutan to expand its portfolio in tipper and haulage applications.

Private equity firm, The Blackstone Group L.P. of New York has agreed terms to acquire a 32% stake in steering and drive line system forging components maker, Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd from JM Financial Services Ltd of Mumbai for USD300m.

CNH Industrial NV has announced the introduction of 3D printers to manufacture components and spare parts, providing its customers with rapid availability and support throughout the product’s lifecycle.