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

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for the implementation of phase II of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles with a fund allocation of USD1.54bn over the next three years, with effect from April 1, 2019.

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.

JBM Solaris Electric Vehicles Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between Polish bus maker, Solaris Bus & Coach SA and the Indian firm, JBM Auto Ltd, has announced that it has begun trials of the Ecolife electric bus in New Delhi.

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.

Last month, Ashok Leyland Ltd inaugurated a new 3S (sales, service and spares) facility in Dhaka belonging to its sole distributor, IFAD Auto Ltd.

Volvo Trucks India Pvt Ltd, the wholly owned subsidiary of Swedish AB Volvo has introduced the FM 380 8x41 rigid truck to enhance its presence in the Indian construction and other heavy-duty truck segment.

Ashok Leyland Ltd has released some information about its plans for Bharat Stage VI.

Eberspächer Exhaust Technology International and Sharda Motor Industries Ltd last month signed an agreement to create a joint venture of parity (50:50) ownership to supply exhaust after-treatment systems for trucks and buses to enable compliance with the new Bharat Stage VI  emission standards, which come into force from April 1, 2020.

The National Company Law Tribunal has given its approval to Ashok Leyland Ltd to proceed with the restructuring of its business to incorporate the three former LCV business units that were held previously as joint ventures with Nissan Motors Ltd.