The 13th Edition of Apollo CV Awards 2022 held in partnership with Apollo Tyres recognised the efforts of the CV industry in 2021. Every stakeholder both from the fleet and non-fleet ecosystem impressed the jurors with their invaluable contribution to modernising the CV industry.

Celebrating the performance of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), fleet operators, dealerships and the ancillaries of the CV ecosystem, the 13th Edition of Apollo CV Awards 2022 concluded on a high note. Held in partnership with esteemed partner Apollo Tyres Ltd., the virtual edition for the second year in a row was conceptualised to steer clear of any unforeseen pandemic induced disruptions. The successful edition of the Awards was made possible by an unparalleled support from the industry. Every stakeholder of the Commercial Vehicle (CV) ecosystem including on the fleet side, from small to large fleet operators to the dealership community gave a snapshot of their performance in the year 2021. Our partners Metric Consultancy compiled the data gathered on ground. Exclaimed Hoshang Billimoria, Founder & Mentor, Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd., the industry was worthy of an applause for its sustained efforts in driving a recovery and eventually growth two years after the industry witnessed a prolonged slowdown that creeped in pre-pandemic. He acknowledged the efforts of the staff of Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd. for their unwavering efforts in a recovery period alike for the publishing industry. Mr. Billimoria also took the opportunity to thank Apollo Tyres and especially Mr. Satish Sharma, President – Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA), Apollo Tyres Ltd. for extending an unstinted support even in the most testing of times over the last two pandemic marred fiscals.

In an exhaustive process that commenced in December 2021, Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd. through CV Magazine reached out to the industry and began the process of compiling the nominations to put forth to the esteemed Jurors, a jury dossier. The dossier would showcase the all-around operational efforts and the journey from recovery to growth at each of the nominated companies. The process that lasted for nearly three months, had the industry with their able corporate communication teams do their due diligence to comply with the standard nomination and methodology process put in place over the years for the participating companies to make the cut. It also meant that some companies unfortunately missed out for failing to comply despite having performances to show for it in the calendar year 2021. We look forward to these companies making the cut in the next edition of the awards.

For those who made the cut this year, the jury dossier drew to the jurors attention supporting and crucial metrics like product, place, price, promotion and people in the context of the product’s contribution to the Group revenues as a whole, and in the respective segment. This was found to be in line with the company’s long-term vision as a testimony of sustained efforts in the direction. Classified on the basis of the Gross Vehicular Weight (GVW), from the lowest end of the spectrum in the ‘EV of the Year’ to the Intermediate and Light Commercial Vehicles (I&LCVs) and higher up to the Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs). Notably, the nearly ~40-45 per cent share of EVs in the Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) segment of three-wheelers meant that the old category gave way to a new ‘EV Of The Year’ category. EVs clearly impressed and told a tale of things to expect from the segment lower down the tonnage.

From cargo to tipper, including the ‘Special Application CV of The Year’ to awarding the ‘Special Application CV Builder Of The Year’, the Awards commemorated the operational excellence demonstrated by both the fleet and non-fleet side of the CV ecosystem. After staging a recovery and coming off a tough fiscal FY2021 judged as the toughest year in the history of the Indian CV industry, the industry has shown how resources that were allocated for sustenance were gradually freed up for recovery leading to a sequential Month-over-Month (MoM) and Quarter-on-Quarter (QoQ) growth.

If March 2022 is any indication to go by, the industry expects a sustained growth over the next couple of quarters to come the industry’s way before it can reach the pre-Covid19 levels off by an estimated (-) 26.11 per cent in FY22 compared to FY20. On being invited by Freishia Bomanbehram, Master of Ceremonies at the 13th Edition of the Awards for his ‘Keynote Address’, Satish Sharma drew attention to the green shoots in the CV industry. The new elect Chairman of Auto Tyres Manufacturers Association (ATMA) spoke of growth in the upcoming quarters being in sight for the industry. He lauded the efforts of the OEMs and the ancillaries alike in modernising the industry and seeing through a volatile period with pressure known to be on the supply-side.

Despite these setbacks, the entries were testimony to the industry far from shying away from innovation. It continues to fill the white spaces to meet customer requirements. Ashish Bhatia, Executive Editor, CV Magazine in his address paid respects to the martyrs of the Russia Ukraine War crisis and called for prayers for peace and healing from an event that has shaken the world. He also committed to the publication standing by businesses reeling under a direct bearing of the losses from the war crisis. From losing physical assets to having to withdraw from multi-year agreements! CV Magazine stands by these companies looking to make a stronger comeback as Ukrainians show a conviction to rebuild and restart, he expressed.

As per Juror Shyam Maller, Former Executive Vice President – Sales & Marketing, and Aftermarket, VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd. going forward, the construction and mining segment is expected to lead the resurgence of M&HCV growth in the coming two to three years. Higher tonnage MAV haulage trucks are also expected to lead the way. The entries this year were a testimony of the industry preparing to leverage this potential. Connected CVs and a host of services supporting digitisation will also grow, he opined. In the short term, supply-chain challenges, the industry stakeholders conveyed to us, in our face-to-face meets, that the ripple effects of the western sanctions on Russia in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, natural gas price hikes and the fuel price hikes are forcing the industry to resort to controlled hikes. A CV major shared how a CV model was priced at a ~24 per cent premium to its cost in the pre-Covid19 era. From offering products, the industry is today working on delivering “Transport As A Solution” to justify the high acquisition costs over the vehicle lifecycle.

Others are offering guarantees on mileage and aggregates to operators for kickstarting their operations from day one of purchase. The Dealership community, as the customer’s face, continues to go all out to ensure operational uptime with both remote and onsite assistance to get the CVs back on road with Turn Around Times (TATs) of up to 48 hours failing which the customer will be paid for every day of delay. The withdrawal of excise duty on fuel and the call for reconsideration of VAT by the States came in as much-needed relief to the industry albeit diesel crossing the Rs.100 per litre mark post elections remains a huge concern area for the industry that is dominated by diesel vehicles in the overall mix. This picture is likely to remain unchanged and diesel is expected to dominate for the next decade and a half going by industry inputs. Not just three-wheelers but four-wheeler cargo solutions could dominate next year. If the order books are an indication to go by, this is one segment to watch out for. CNG penetration in Light & Medium Duty (LMD) trucks is expected to rise from nine per cent of the TIV to about 30 per cent by 2030. We could see levers of conversion from diesel to LNG in the case of large trucks and tipper fleets too, shared Maller. The silver lining for buses could be STUs looking at shifting to greener options like CNG in a PPP model.

The year also highlighted the slow and painful recovery of the bus segment being nowhere close to its preCovid19 sales. Having registered a drop of ~80 per cent for most OEMs it is expected to be the cornerstone of growth in the coming quarters. Especially the awfully underperforming staff bus segment (led by the drop induced by IT companies prefering to work from home or in a hybrid arrangement). The school bus segment this year too forced the jury to drop the category altogether owing to lack of substantial sales and no breakthrough product nominated in the pool. Among other categories to be dropped were the ‘ICV Tipper Of The Year’ and the ‘M&HCV Cargo Carrier Of The Year’ for lack of nominations and new ground up products not being nominated to the pool. The Industry hopes to benefit from the growing demand for clean powertrains, gas and pure Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) with hydrogen fuel cells for the long haul taking the centre stage again, almost over half a decade of being inducted in the product mix by a leading CV major. By 2023-24 or 2024-25, Hydrogen could establish itself as the fuel of choice for long-haul trucks and buses and could make for an interesting assessment in the future editions of the awards. The industry is hopeful that the infra for both gas-based solutions and BEVs grows in parallel for the industry to realise the unit economics. It is hoping to benefit from the incentives under the FameII outlay, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Champion OEMs wherein 20 OEMs (with their 12 subsidiaries) of the 115 companies that applied got their approvals. The companies had applied to be eligible for incentives applicable under the scheme for the determined sales of Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products (vehicles and components) manufactured in India from April 01, 2022, onwards for the next five years. Tippers, ICVs and MAVs are especially expected to continue to aid the total industry volumes and the nomination pool was a testimony.

The jury process like in the past editions made plenty of room and time for constructive debates in the over two hours and fifty eight minutes of its duration. Each juror brought along domain knowledge and vast experience that were put to test like in the past editions. Different perspectives and opinions were exerted to arrive at a result for a common consensus at times and with discretion for a unbiased and well-rounded voting effort. Like the past editions, this year too, the key parameters resorted to were (a) fitness for application, (b) quality of aggregates, (c) fuel efficiency and drive-ability (d) option to have a vehicle better suited for the purpose, (e) price, and (f) sales and contribution to the modernisation of the industry as a whole in comparison to the previous edition (held in 2021). The goal of going a notch higher was attained. Metric Global vet the fleet and dealer categories by putting them through the paces. It used the Journey of Excellence parameter derived from the British Quality Foundation. On the following pages is a synopsis of the keynote ddress by by Mr Anil Valsan, Director Knowledge Leader – Advanced Manufacturing & Mobility Industry Market, Ernst & Young LLP and Global Lead Analyst – Automotive and Transportation that set the tone of the ceremony. Below are the nominations and the winners.

EV OF THE YEAR

Nominees: Euler HiLoad EV, OSM Rage+Rapid EV, Piaggio Ape’ E-Xtra FX

Winner: EULER HILOAD EV

The first category draws attention to a growing share of commercial Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in the small commercial vehicle segment. At ~ 45 per cent of the Total Industry Volume (TIV), the shrinking market of the three-wheeler segment is coming to be dominated by BEVs that claim to offer higher performance and lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) compared to their Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) counterparts. The winning product Euler HiLoad EV impressed the jurors with its strong performance credentials that have many segment firsts and a strong order book as a testimony to its market acceptance as a cargo carrier. Averred Saurav Kumar, Founder and CEO at Euler Motors, “It’s been a long on-road journey of four years in the making. We thank our customers for their support as it’s their feedback that eventually went into developing the product, shaping it to its present form.” “I would like to thank the sales, service, charging station personnel, manufacturing and supply-chain teams for contributing to this win and giving us the faith,” he expressed. The Euler HiLoad EV, claimed Kumar, has come good on testing across different demographics and in different climatic conditions. It’s performance credentials matches if not surpasses every three-wheeler commercial vehicle on Indian roads.

THE PICKUP OF THE YEAR

Winner: TATA YODHA 4X4

Pickup trucks continue to find favour with their haulage and heavy-load transporting capability. They continue to address the growing Utility Vehicle (UV) segment. This year, the competition was between two warriors, aptly so. The Tata Yodha 1700 VX was up against the Tata Yodha 4×4. Add a 4×4 to the mix and you have increased traction and stability at your disposal. And so this category had the jurors adjudge an outright winner. The Tata Yodha 4×4 comes in as a lighter option with a GVW of 2.9-tonne (2,990 Kg) in comparison to the 3.49-tonne (3490 kg) 1700 VX. It offers a higher grade-ability of 62 per cent making it apt for hilly terrains. With its assurance of excellent manoeuvrability both on and off-road, at its price point of ~Rs.9.05 lakh

(Ex-showroom), it emerged as the worthy winner.

LCV CARGO CARRIER OF THE YEAR

Nominees: BharatBenz 1917R, MAHINDRA FURIO 7 (FOUR-TYRE CARGO), MAHINDRA FURIO 7 TIPPER, MAHINDRA FURIO 7 HD Cargo, SML ISUZU PRESTIGE GS 3335 DUAL CABIN 10ft, TATA 407g SFC CNG, TATA T.6 Ultra, EICHER PRO 2049 CNG

Winner: MAHINDRA FURIO 7 RANGE

Coming out of steep degrowth in the pandemic marred fiscal, Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) continue to evolve. Driven by demand generation from segments like e-retail, this segment is seeing a fast shift towards alternative fuels like CNG. As per All India Vehicle Retail Data from FADA for FY22, the segment registered a YoY growth of 31.23 per cent en route to bridging the (-) 26.81 per cent gap from FY20 levels. A reason to believe it is that the vehicles in this category continue to be moulded to meet customer requirements. One product stood out as the manufacturer filled an industry white space while establishing its presence in the six- to 7.5-tonne segment with a modular platform suited to diverse duty cycles. From a four-tyre cargo to tipper to a Heavy Duty (HD) cargo variant, the jury was compelled to look at the Mahindra Furio 7 as a complete range and not a product in isolation before adjudging it the winner. Jalaj Gupta – Business Head, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, M&M Ltd. shared that the company was convinced of the double guarantee and customer value proposition including the mileage and the buyback guarantee on the Furio range being a testimony of its deep-rooted understanding of the LCV customer.

LARGE TRUCK FLEET OPERATOR OF THE YEAR

Nominees: ALLIED ICD SERVICES LTD, V-Trans (India) Ltd, M. P. ENTERPRISES AND ASSOCIATES Ltd

Fighting the rising diesel price hikes, they have dealt with higher input prices especially since OEMs have passed on the hikes by raising vehicle costs intermittently. To add to the cost pressures, third party insurance and toll prices have seen a round of hikes too making operations challenging. The winning company Allied ICD Services Ltd. (AISL) was found to fare better despite the odds and ajudged the winner. With a fleet of over 100 trailers and over 15 heavy equipment, AISL provides in house handling and movement of EXIM containers between ICD Durgapur and gateway ports as well as land customs stations. Allied ICD Services Ltd. has ‘ISO 9001:2015’ certification from Bureau Veritas as well as an ‘Authorized Economic Operator’ certification from Indian Customs. The company is recommended by the Indian Banks Association. It has also been certified for having the highest creditworthiness in relation to other MSEs by ‘SMERA’.

SMALL FLEET OPERATOR OF THE YEAR

Nominees: B.M. Roadlines Pvt. Ltd, PDP International Pvt Ltd, Rishabh Bus Pvt. Ltd.

Small fleet operators vowed to impress the jurors with their business excellence practices and overall management. From the pack, the winning company B.M. Roadlines Pvt. Ltd. with over four decades of experience behind it has clients in both the public and private sectors. Over the past year, the company has purchased 65+ cargo vehicles. The company, impressed on the whole as a specialist bulk transporter of petroleum products and speciality chemicals with its performance in 2021.

Winner: B.M ROADLINES PVT. LTD.

ICV CARGO CARRIER OF THE YEAR

Nominees: ASHOK LEYLAND ECOMET 1415 CNG, ASHOK LEYLAND ECOMET STAR Range, TATA 1512g LPT CNG, TATA T.12 ULTRA, EICHER PRO 2095XP PLUS CNG, EICHER PRO 2114XP CNG, EICHER PRO 3019

Winner : EICHER PRO 2114XP

As a pioneer of CNG conversion in the Intermediate Commercial Vehicle (ICV) segment, the winning product from Eicher Trucks and Buses this year is a reminder of the industry’s transition to CNG. The sheer volume of sales and customer acceptance helped it make a strong case for itself! According to Vishal Mathur, Senior VP – LMD, Eicher Trucks and Buses, the company partnered with its customers as a provider of clean mobility solutions backing products with innovative value additions like connected services and next-generation features.

HCV TRACTOR HEAD OF THE YEAR

Nominees: ASHOK LEYLAND AVTR 5525 4×2 TRACTOR, ASHOK LEYLAND AVTR 4825, BHARATBENZ 4028TT, BHARATBENZ 4228R MCAB, EICHER PRO 6041,EICHER PRO 6055/1

TATA SIGNA 5530.S 6X4 WITH 36 CU. M. TIP TRAILER, BHARATBENZ 5428TT, ASHOK LEYLAND AVTR 5525 4×2 TRACTOR, VOLVO FM 420 4×2 TRACTOR MAHINDRA, BLAZO X 55 4×2 TRACTOR

Winner:

BHARATBENZ 5428TT

Here torque matters the most! The winning entry BharatBenz 5428TT boasts of a BSVI 7.2-litre, six-cylinder, in-line engine that develops 281 bhp at 2200 rpm and develops a peak torque of 1100 Nm at 1200-1600 rpm. The 18.5-tonne GVW tractor head with 54-tonne Gross Combination Weight (GCW) features a soft cruise control for better driver comfort and delivering better fuel efficiency through intelligent gradient monitoring. Satyakam Arya, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) called it a momentous occasion as the win coincides with the 10th-Anniversary celebrations of BharatBenz in India. “These awards make the celebrations at DICV even more special. We have only one mission that is to make our customers successful, and this product is helping us make it possible day after day,” he expressed.

TIPPER OF THE YEAR

Nominees: ASHOK LEYLAND AVTR – 2825 AMT TIPPER 6X4

ASHOK LEYLAND AVTR 2820 6×4 RMC

TATA PRIMA 2830. K REPTO 9 Cu. M. DRUM FBV

Winner: ASHOK LEYLAND AVTR 2820 6X4 RMC

The Ashok Leyland AVTR 2820 6×4 RMC edged past the first runner up after a close fight to emerge victorious. Deemed apt for the market requirement, the tipper of the year is powered by a BSVI, 5.3-litre H-series engine with i-Gen6 that develops a peak rated power of 200 hp at 2400 rpm and a peak rated torque of 700 Nm at 1200-2000 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed, manual synchromesh Eaton transmission unit. The 28-tonne GVW vehicle offers a 23.95 per cent gradeability and comes with a seven cubic metre capacity drum with six and eight cubic metre RMC drum chassis as optional. Sanjeev Kumar, Head – of M&HCV at Ashok Leyland Ltd., acknowledged the contribution of the engineering teams in creating such path-breaking products. With significant sales establishing its market acceptance, the tipper was hailed by the jurors for heavy-duty aggregates, better drive ability, fluid efficiency and low operational costs on offer.

M&HCV TIPPER OF THE YEAR

Nominees: ASHOK LEYLAND AVTR – 4825 BGS TIPPER 10×4 DTLA, ASHOK LEYLAND AVTR – 4825 BGS TIPPER 10×2 DTLA, EICHER PRO 8035XM 26 BOX BODY, VOLVO FMX 460 8×4 20.3, VOLVO FMX 460 8×4 33, TATA SIGNA 3525.K ULTIMAAX- 23 Cu. M. BOX AC THU

Winner: ASHOK LEYLAND AVTR 4825 BGS TIPPER 10X4 DTLA

The AVTR 4825 BGS TIPPER 10×4 DTLA helped Ashok Leyland score a second win. Found to be an ideal fit for the long-haulage needs of the customer, the mass appeal of the winner comes from a BSVI 5.3-litre A4 series engine that delivers 250 hp at 2200 rpm and a peak rated torque of 900 Nm at 1100-1800 rpm. It is mated to a nine-speed, ZF manual synchromesh transmission unit ZF9S1110. The 47.5-tonne GVW tipper offers a grade ability of 26.65 per cent and comes with a 38T bogie suspension robust single-piece cast bracket to suit heavy payloads and offers higher durability. It offers a lower DEF consumption and compact EATs design backed by mid-NOx for a low TCO. The 12.5T Dual Tyre Lift Axle (DTLA) with patented parallelogram technology offers better tyre life. Operators can look forward to new generation air brakes with ABS and ASA and a spacious WIM Sleeper cabin (AC Optional) that is crash code-compliant. The full metal front jacket enhances the ease of driving and ease of maintenance.

L&ICV PEOPLE MOVER OF THE YEAR

Nominees: FORCE MOTORS TRAVELLER MONOBUS (41-SEATER), TATA CITYRIDE PRIME LPO 1315/57 TURBOTRONN, TATA STARBUS 4/12 LE EV, TATA ULTRA 10.2 CNG BUS, EICHER SKYLINE 2090 L, EICHER SKYLINE PRO 3011 L, EICHER SKYLINE PRO STAFF 3010 L CNG, EICHER SKYLINE PRO E (Electric)

Winner: EICHER SKYLINE PRO STAFF 3010 L CNG

The Eicher Skyline Pro Staff 3010 L CNG impressed the jurors’ with its market acceptance driven by industrial units that were operational to emerge victorious in a congested and highly competitive category. Made available in both factory-built and chassis options, it also serves the school and RP applications. The strong Domex chassis is coupled with a stainless steel CNG pipe structure and durable company fitted CNG tanks with 540L capacity for a 400-450 km certified range. It offers customers a wide range of seating options from 32+D to 72+D. It offers five per cent higher mileage over the competition with the auto MBooster+ technology and Eicher Live telematics solution. On receiving the award, Akash Passey President, Bus Division, VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd. (VECV) said that the win is a testimony of the company reading the market well to focus on CNG as a challenger brand, addressing the shift from diesel. Known for school buses, the winner has helped VECV gain market share in the staff bus segment.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Nominees: TATA MAGNA LPO 1822/69 13.5m

EICHER INTERCITY 4×2 SLEEPER COACH

VOLVO 9400 B8R 4×2 COACH 13.5m

VOLVO 9400 B11R 6×2 SLEEPER COACH

Winner: VOLVO 9400 B8R 13.5m 4X2 COACH

The winning product Volvo 9400 B8R 13.5m 4×2 coach with a 7200 mm wheelbase can seat 47 (w/o c/s + D + 1) passengers. Bringing in the European trend of 13.5m coaches prevailing for a few decades now, to Indian roads, Akash Passey, President, Bus Division, VECV, mentioned, “We are setting new standards for the coach segment with the winning product, especially after the integration of Volvo Buses India into VECV. The product is an outcome of a larger strategy at play. To create new offerings on both the Volvo and Eicher bus platforms to make a meaningful difference to the commuters looking to travel safely and with comfort from point A to point B.” “The 13.5m segment was missing in India and a long time in waiting and we are happy to be among the first ones with few buses already running with customers over the past few months. The market in long-haul will shape itself around the 13.5m coach and not the 12m coach like in the past,” Passey concluded.

SPECIAL APPLICATION CV OF THE YEAR

Nominees: EICHER PRO 6035 TM, TATA 1109g LPT CNG (CASCADE APPLICATION), FURIO 11 FUEL BOWSER, TATA I&LCV TRUCKS For COVID VACCINE TRANSPORTATION, TATA ANTI-SMOKE GUN/FOGGER – 1212 LPT, EICHER SKYLINE AMBULANCE, FORCE MOTORS AMBULANCE, ASHOK LEYLAND MITR AMBULANCE

Winner: FORCE MOTORS AMBULANCE RANGE

Special Application CVs continue to fulfill purpose in niche segments. The winning entry beat all the odds. Force Motors was able to develop and deliver triple-digit quantities in multiple guises to comply with the varying requirements and at short notice. Averred Ashutosh Khosla President – Sales, Service & Marketing, Force Motors Ltd, “The ambulance range played a crucial role in providing invaluable service, especially during the golden hour which is a matter of life and death for the patients.” It drew attention to the need to enhance per capita availability of ambulances and build a robust healthcare ecosystem in the country.

SPECIAL APPLICATION BUILDER OF THE YEAR

Nominees: ARYAN PUMPS AND ENVIRO SOLUTIONS PVT LTD., RANDHAWA MOTORS

Winner: ARYAN PUMPS AND ENVIRO SOLUTIONS PVT LTD.

Special Application Builder Of The Year, Aryan Pumps And Enviro Solutions Pvt Ltd. impressed the jurors with its state-of-the-art body building facility in Indapur, on the outskirts of Pune. The acceptance of its products both in the domestic and the export markets like the special purpose vehicle-mounted machines in the field of municipal liquid waste, solid waste handling, sewer cleaning, firefighting and rescue, municipal solid waste and sewer management, and special applications pumps is a testimony. In the global markets, the company has adhered to global standards and stood out despite competition from local established players. The company has sold products to highly technologically advanced markets like the Western European Countries, and North America. Its simplified global solutions have also found takers with municipal corporations in India where it is a flag bearer of the Government’s ‘Make In India’ and ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ vision programmes with indigenously developed products. Its products like the Euro recycler on a Volvo FH84TR3HA 35T chassis and Cana Cycler on the FreightLiner 28T 114SD are amongst standout efforts.

CV DEALER OF THE YEAR

Nominees: KAMAL MOTORS, TVS MOBILITY PVT. LTD., HORA MOTRARS PVT. LTD., RANDHAWA MOTORS

Winner: RANDHAWA MOTORS

Randhawa Motors (A Div. Of Randhawa Automobile Engg. Pvt. Ltd.) won the ‘CV Dealer Of The Year’. With a state-of-the-art dealership in Mumbai for Mahindra Truck & Bus Division (MTBD) across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Raigad, Randhawa Motors has spared no effort to fast track growth. With accolades like the number one dealership in Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs), the dealership has been credited with increasing MTBD volumes. The company is working to attain its 2018-19 peak. Its focus on delivering high customer satisfaction standards with the added capability of designing and manufacturing an array of vehicular bodies helped the dealership stand out.

CV Maker Of The Year

Nominees: TATA MOTORS LTD, ASHOK LEYLAND LTD, VE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES LTD, DAIMLER INDIA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Winner : Tata Motors

Tata Motors with the highest nominations this year continued its winning spree. It provided comprehensive support to its customers and channel partners to avoid interruptions in their freight operations, thus, supporting the continuity in economic activities. With its BSVI-compliant vehicles across the range (sub-one-tonne to 55-tonne to a 10 seater van to 69-seater bus), the company received a good market acceptance for its products in 2021. Repeat purchases and an improved market share are a testimony of the superior product performance delivered by the all-new BSVI range in line with the promise of the ‘Power of 6’. Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors Ltd. expressed his gratitude on behalf of the entire team for the fourth year in succession. “We must thank all our customers who have reposed their faith in our BSVI products as well as the new set of services under Sampoorna Seva. All channel partners, dealers and distributors, and suppliers have put in an equal amount of effort to contribute to this win,” he averred. “We have improved in areas like TCO, comfort and convenience or connectivity. It has helped customers manage the fleet, freight and the business as a whole,” he concluded.

CV Man Of The Year

Nominees: GIRISH WAGH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TATA MOTORS LTD, SATYAKAM ARYA, MD & CEO, DAIMLER INDIA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES, VINOD AGGARWAL, MD & CEO, VE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES LTD. 

Winner: Mr. Girish Wagh

Girish Wagh was elevated as an Additional Director and Executive Director of Tata Motors w.e.f. July 01, 2021. Under the leadership of Mr Wagh, Tata Motors has gained market share across all segments with the highest one-year increase of (+) 03 per cent, since 2007. The jurors took notice of the company crediting him with the focus of Value Analysis and Value Engineering (VAVE) and in the digital transformation witnessed at the OE. Mr Wagh holds the distinction of winning the award twice, having won the title at the Apollo CV Awards 2020. Drawing inspiration from Mr. Natarajan Chandrasekaran Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Tata Sons, Mr Wagh credited him for pushing everyone to realize the art of possible and guiding the team towards attaining the Groups’ aspirations. As per SIAM data for April-Dec’ 21 in comparison to FY2020-21, Tata Motors witnessed an improvement for fifth consecutive year in the M&HCV segment with a (+) 2.2 per cent gain. In I&LCV, the market share improved by 3.6 per cent. In SCV PU, it gained a ~ two per cent share. In the bus segment, the OEM gained a three per cent share under Wagh’s leadership.

CV Of The Year

Nominees: EULER HILOAD EV, TATA YODHA 4X4, EICHER PRO 2114XP CNG, ASHOK LEYLAND AVTR 2820 6X4 RMC, AVTR-4825 BGS TIPPER 10X4 DTLA, BHARATBENZ 5428TT, EICHER SKYLINE PRO STAFF 3010 L CNG, FORCE MOTORS AMBULANCE RANGE, VOLVO 9400 B8R 4X2 COACH 13.5

Winner: EICHER PRO 2114XP CNG

The winner of the coveted ‘CV Of The Year’ title is a testimony to the direction in which the wind is blowing. Keeping operator profitability and productivity as the foremost objectives, the Eicher Pro 2114XP CNG became the most awarded CV this year. Leading the transition of the industry to CNG brought upon by SDGs and the hike in diesel prices, the winner found favour with the jurors who zeroed upon it from a strong lineup of nominations this year. On receiving the award, Mr Vinod Aggarwal, MD and CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd., drew attention to the win being in line with the company’s motto of shaping the future of the truck and bus industry. “We are modernising both the truck and the bus industry. This award is dedicated to all our teams especially the product development teams for taking the lead in developing the CNG portfolio. It gives us immense pride that we as pioneers of the CNG transition have been able to make a difference.” he expressed. “Today 40-45 per cent of the industry has migrated to CNG. We at VECV also have the widest engine range from CNG (two base engines) to diesel (five base engines),” he informed. To conclude, he also thanked the manufacturing, sales and marketing and brand and communications team for having played their part in the company winning the prestigious ‘CV Of The Year’ award.