Positive sales of medium and heavy rigid trucks (7.5t gvw and above) in India of the first quarter continued into the second, realising growth of 165.8% in the first half (1H) of FY2021-22 to register 70,917 units compared with 26,677 units in same period of 2020-21.

Tractor sales in India increased by 526.5% during the half of FY 2021-22 to register 8,884 units compared with 1,418 units in the same period of the previous year (1H/FY 2020-21). Tractor production increased by 595.6% overall from 1,384 units to 9,627 units and export sales up by 1161.8%.

Ashok Leyland Ltd of Chennai says it has delivered ten 12-metre ultra-low entry BS VI compliant CNG buses to IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation) for operations at New Delhi airport. This airport bus featuring CNG power is a new variant.

Ashok Leyland Ltd of Chennai, has launched an upgraded version of its diesel-powered Star truck in the Intermediate Commercial Vehicle (ICV) 11- to 16-tonne GVW segment.

Apollo Tyres Ltd of Gurugram has launched the ‘Apollo EnduRace RAT’, an all-wheel position fitment (tyres can be used for drive and non-drive axles) radial tyre for commercial vehicles.

Tata Motors Ltd of Mumbai has delivered 35 of its STAR AC electrically-powered buses, which is a part of a larger order for 340 electric buses to Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST).

Olectra Greentech Ltd (formerly Goldstone Infratech Ltd) through its strategic tie-up with BYD Auto Industry of Shenzhen, China, has been allotted 150 acres of land situated at the Seetharampur Industrial Park, Shabad (Mandal), Telangana for setting up of green field factory (i.e. EV manufacturing facility) from Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (TSIIC). Any further investment plans were not disclosed at this time.

Mahindra Truck & Bus Ltd, a division of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd of Mumbai launched Furio 71 in the light-duty (3.5 to 7.5t gvw) truck, so expanding the Furio range of trucks.

Ashok Leyland Ltd of Chennai, has built up dedicated teams at its Hosur engine plant to develop and deliver advanced alternative-fuelled engines. It offers fully homologated CNG and LNG powered engines manufactured at the Hosur plant.

Tata Group subsidiaries, Tata Motors Ltd of Mumbai, a commercial vehicle manufacturer, together with power company, Tata Power Co Ltd of Mumbai have set up vehicle charging stations at  BEST’s (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) Worli Depot, the fourth after Backbay, Malvani, and Shivaji Nagar depots in the city of Mumbai. Currently there are some 386 electric buses in operation with BEST, including models from Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Olectra and VECV.

Tata Motors Ltd,  a commercial vehicle manufacturer based in Mumbai, says it has delivered two 9-metre 34-seater AC electric buses (Tata Urban 9m Electric1) together with a DC fast charger (the charging station is supplied by Tata Motors but it is manufactured by Tata Power) to specialist engineering firm, Endress+Hauser Flowtec India Pvt Ltd of Aurangabad, who are to use them for staff transportation applications.

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a global leader in diversified chemicals, in collaboration with oil marketing company, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), is to provide Technical Grade Urea (TGU) for the manufacture of DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) or AUS-32 (Aqueous Urea Solution), which is used in diesel exhaust aftertreatment  systems to reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions by over 70% and to comply with Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emissions in new vehicles.