BluRevolution by BluSmart

As part of its BluRevolution initiative, electric taxi operator, BluSmart has announced that it has successfully covered 4.75 million km in the form of 1,75,000 zero-emission trips in the DelhiNCR region. Also announcing that their cabs were deep cleaned and sanitised twice a day during the charging time, the company is keen to expand its market reach. To do so it is banking on the prospect of emission free ride in an electric cab. Positioning itself as a smart urban electric radio cab operator, BluSmart is confident of attracting suave and informed commuters to avail of its cabs.

In a campaign that is said to have been inspired by the US campaign where truckers honked outside the White House to draw the attention of their President, truck drivers resorted to one-minute of continuous honking every day from July 01 to July

07, 2020, in India. They drew the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government (as well as the various state governments) with the support of their truck owners and various transport associations working for the welfare of truck drivers. Highlighting their demand for protection in the form of an insurance cover as frontline warriors in the times of Covid-19 pandemic, truck drivers honked to convey a message that they have played a key role in keeping the country’s

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) has announced the introduction of customised vehicle ownership schemes for Covid-19 caretakers and essential service providers. These include and attractive discounts of upto Rs.66,500. The CV maker has also announced a scheme where the buyer could start paying the cost the next year of having bought the vehicle. This involves funding of up to eight years; upto 100 per cent on road complex supply chain from derailing. As one of the key element of the road freight (transport) fraternity, which has claimed to have not received any help from the Government in the current trying times, drivers parked their vehicles at the nearest toll plaza parking area or at a safe place to honk when the clock struck 12 at noon every day for seven days. They hoped that the Government would take notice of their need to be protected. They hoped that the Government would not overlook their contribution towards the smooth turning of the nation’s wheels. funding; 90 days moratorium, and purchase of BSVI pickup truck by payment of EMI equivalent to BSIV pickup as well as a 50 per cent processing fee waiver for doctors.

VE Commercial Vehicles has announced the launch of its new bus, Eicher Skyline Pro 6016. Powered by a 210 hp 5.1-litre BSVI Volvo engine, the bus measures 11.7 m in length and has a GVW of 16.2-tonnes. Capable of seating up to 62 people with a 3x2 seating layout for applications like stage carriage, the bus, built at Eicher’ Baggad plant (Pithampur), is equipped with advanced technology features and quality aggregates. Finding its way to a noble cause as a mobile Covid ICU unit at Hyderabad by the Grace Cancer Foundation, the Pro 6016 is fitted with an engine protection system for better engine life, intelligent driver information system (IDIS 2.0), fuel coaching and cruise control, which improves driving comfort and efficiency. Available with a fuel-efficient Exhaust After-treatment System (EATS), the bus has different driving modes that could be used as per the road and load conditions. Fitted with a sturdy Domex steel chassis, the Pro 6016 had an engine exhaust brake and larger pneumatic brakes for superior control. With the option of multiple wheelbases to choose from, the bus could be had with a lightweight 425-litre HDPE fuel tank. Unique about the Pro 6016 are a flat driver area, sandwich-type compact engine hood, a bigger alternator and a larger clutch.

JCB has laid off 400 permanent employees in response to the drop in demand for its products, claim sources. They mention that the earthmoving and construction equipment maker took this decision in view of the time it would take for the market to return to normalcy. Drawing attention to the company’s workforce strength of 8000 people across facilities India, and out of which 4000 are permanent employees, sources said that the company has been adversely affected due to slowdown induced by the Covid-19 pandemic. They add that employment of a sizable number of contractual and temporary workers has also been discontinued. The contractual and temporary workforce fluctuates with demand, sources informed.

Mahindra & Mahindra’s (M&M) Farm Equipment Sector has launched a new Sarpanch Plus range of tractors. Marking an upgrade of it’s popular 575 ‘Sarpanch’ model, the new ‘Sarpanch Plus’ range, spanning multiple horsepower points between 30 hp and 50 hp, is designed and engineered to improve farmers productivity and earnings. Powered by an advanced, fuel efficient longstroke engine, the ‘Sarpanch Plus’ range could be booked online, and is backed by an industry leading warranty spanning six years. Accompanying special finance and customer schemes, the new tractor range is developed to meet the evolving demands of modern farmers through attractive styling and ergonomic design.

The year FY2019-20 brought business growth to many transporters and logistics players in the form of e-commerce. The rising tilt of buyers to shop from the comfort of their home or office rather than visit a brick and mortar showroom, ensured that transporters dealing in e-commerce were in demand. Those engaged in linehaul as well as in last mile delivery saw their business growing as e-commerce companies expanded their portfolio and strived to reach more pin codes. With the entry of big international players in the e-commerce space, followed by mergers and acquisitions, e-commerce logistics players saw their business grow. FM Logistics, for example, in its results for the fiscal year 2019-20, which ended on March 31, 2020, reported a revenue growth of more than 15 per cent in India. It witnessed good business traction from e-commerce and has customers like an e-commerce clothing company in India for which it handles around 80,000 orders per day. FM Logistics also has a leading furniture retailer as its clients in India.

Under the FAME India Phase II Scheme, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is looking at 1,000 electric buses in its fleet, claim sources. This would be in addition to the induction of 1,000 CNG buses whose tender has already been passed. The electric bus project, issued by the Union ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, would involve private operators in a first of its kind publicprivate-partnership under the build-own-operatetransfer model. The private operator, mention sources, will provide 300 air-conditioned and the rest 12 m long low-floor electric buses to DTC on a contract of 11 years. With an ability to run at least 120 km with passengers and AC on a single charge the buses would be paid for by DTC as per the kilometre cost under the ‘Operating Expenses’ (OPEX) model. To be capable of doing more than 200 kms per day with 18 hours of continuous operation, the buses would be supported by a charging infra set by the operator at three depots, inform sources. The electricity cost for charging these buses will be paid by the operator, they add.

While transport organisations like AITWA have advised their members to refrain from buying new trucks for the next one year, and instead concentrate on sustaining their staff, drivers, existing assets and the business, a survey by a website has revealed that close to 85 per cent of the customers are willing to buy new CVs post the lockdown. The survey has also revealed that 50 per cent of the customers are interested in booking their next truck online. Terming these trends as highly surprising, some of the transporters that CV spoke to, said that they could think of buying a new or used truck only if they see a rapid rise in their earning ability. A few transporters drew attention to the good days at the beginning of this decade. Conducted to understand the digital buying behaviour of CV customers during the Covid-19 crisis, the survey participants are said to be young business owners who are also decision-makers. As per the survey, the CV customers have also expressed that they are looking for finance.

The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) will soon fit panic buttons, ultrasonic fuel sensor devices and Automatic Vehicle Location Systems (AVLS) on its buses, claim sources. They add that the AVLS system will entail transfer of data in real-time to a central server and support the establishment of a management information system for intelligent use of the data. Revealing that the three systems have been functional in 40 local buses, sources inform that the rest of the CTU fleet, which consists of 173 buses plying on long routes, will soon feature them. Expected to elevate safety and security, the three systems, mention sources, will be fitted by the company that wins the tender application floated online by CTU. The tender application has also called for the fitting of panic buttons in buses CTU is also said to be looking for six new Passenger Information System (PIS) boards and the maintenance of eight PIS boards, old and new.

Tata Motors is close to shelving the ‘Drone’ initiative it started in 2014 to increase customer reach, claim sources. Drawing attention to the termination of 110 ‘Dronas’ out of a 128 strong ‘Drona’ team by the CV maker, they mention that decision was born out of the need to visit all the cost centres and re-align them as per the current market environment. Hired as third party associates, the ‘Dronas’ were instilled to help the company to establish a strong bond with their customers by addressing their operational and other needs amid rising competition. Inform sources that the hardships faced by the road freight (transport) fraternity at the moment is challenging the existence of many operators. They point at 70 to 80 per cent of the operators having one or two vehicles. Underlining the lacklustre response to the transporters call for help by the government, sources explain that the ripple effect of the challenges faced by the road freight (transport) fraternity is certain to affect the CV manufacturers as well. At least in the short-term.