APOLLO - CV AWARDS 2021 The race has begun!
After 11 successful editions, Commercial Vehicle magazine, the voice of the Indian CV industry, is gearing up to bring you the 12th edition of awards dedicated to the industry. Yet again, we are delighted to partner with Apollo Tyres for this unique event. As would be evident from the past editions, these awards will not stop at recognising the efforts of CV makers, ancillary suppliers and application developers. Fleet operators will be accorded their due too – since they are the very basis for the CV industry to exist. The background
Celebrating the performance of OEMs and ancillary manufacturers, it is our endeavour to commemorate the operational excellence demonstrated by fleet operators and dealers too. Last year would perhaps be fit to be adjudged as the toughest year in the history of the Indian CV industry ever. Apart from the transition to BSVI emission norms, the advent of Covid-19 virus laid bare even the best and most robust growth plans chalked by CV OEMs, suppliers, dealers, transporters and other stakeholders. Unleashing a fury of unprecedented developments, the virus shook all that came in its path. It put to test the best plans concerning sustainability and competitiveness. It added to the lingering effects of demonetization and GST in India, pulling down business prospects like never before. Hammering the toplines and bottomlines, the virus had the same effect a sudden load application would have to an object in engineering terms. With significant changes to tackle, the CV industry made drastic changes to itself. It shed weight in a hurry, in terms of manpower, processes and more. It went back to the drawing board to redesign even the most shockproof strategies. With the demand for freight dwindling, transporters found it difficult to sustain. Marking the arrival of technologically advanced CVs that supported better productivity and profitability, last year would be remembered for the fall in fleet utilisation. If a slew of new and smarter technologies on BSVI CVs made it clear that the transition was beyond an ordinary regulatory change, the overall atmosphere in the CV industry last year was subdued. Compounded by rising fuel prices, last year was also the time when transporters took to search for alternate fuel options like biodiesel to keep costs down. New electric CV startups made news. They signaled an irreversible change.
Nuts and bolts
A jury made up of experts internal and external to CV magazine will evaluate products and companies and arrive at winners for all categories except those involving fleet operators. To determine the fleet operator category award winners, we have enlisted the services of Metric Consultancy, an organisation reputed for delivering quality solutions in the areas of research, mentoring, consultancy and strategic sourcing. We invite both truck and bus fleet operators to apply for category/categories that they think of as appropriate. Metric will then evaluate the self-assessment forms and post due-diligence, arrive at the final winners. Application forms for both fleet and non-fleet category of awards may be found at the end of this page.
The rendezvous
With the Covid-19 unleashing its fury the world over, we, for the first time in the history of the awards, would be holding a virtual event. We expect to host a galaxy of CV OEMs, ancillary makers and fleet operators at the awards. The awards will be held in March-April 2021. Watch this space for more!