Competition in the Philippine light truck and bus market has intensified significantly in recent months with the launch of the Isuzu Traviz and the return of the Mitsubishi L300 at the end of September.

Hyundai Motor Company at NACV 2019 in Atlanta held in October this year unveiled two new concepts: The HDC-6 NEPTUNE Concept, a hydrogen-powered Class 8 heavy duty truck and a nitrogen powered refrigerated semi-trailer, the HT Nitro ThermoTech Concept in conjunction with its US trailer subsidiary, San Diego, California based  Hyundai Translead.

Hyundai Motor Company has developed a remote monitoring system for electric bus fleets that provides real-time information such as vehicle location, battery levels and other key data.

Japanese truck-maker, Hino Motors Ltd, in late October 2019 announced it has established a new procurement joint venture with the Traton Group, called Hino & Traton Global Procurement; with the aim of sharing outsourcing costs and development of selected technologies.

Chinese vehicle manufacturer, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group said it plans to launch a full-range of new energy commercial vehicles in South-east Asia soon.

Kassel-based Hübner GmbH presented a newly developed electronic steering system for city buses at Busworld of more than 30 metres in length, which, it said, should be implemented by bus manufacturers, in practice, starting next year.

SAF-Holland GmbH has opened its new production plant in Yangzhou.

Bus builders, Rampini Carlo SpA and CaetanoBus have announced an extension of their reciprocal commercial sales agreement to include their respective electric bus ranges.

Tata Steel Europe is now manufacturing an abrasion resistant steel called Valast 450 specially developed for the construction industry involving rugged applications such as tipper bodies for trucks and trailers, bodies on refuse collection vehicles and excavator buckets.

Public transport operator, Keolis SA and Volvo Buses of Gothenburg organised a demonstration of a 12m long autonomous electric bus at the Keolis bus depot in Gothenburg last month.

“In five years, i.e. by 2025, we will no longer have available diesel trucks from 7.5 tonnes up to 26 tonnes,” stated Rémi Lemoine, responsible for alternative solutions at Volvo Trucks France, at Solutrans 2019 in Lyon last month.

The Irizar ieTruck, developed by Irizar Group's eMobility division in conjunction with Municipal Services giant, FCC Medio Ambiente Company, won the Innovative Idea category at the 2019 Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona last month.