MUMBAI, August 15, 2026: Mahindra Group is preparing to enter the long-distance heavy-duty electric truck segment as charging infrastructure across India expands.

Mahindra Group senior executive Vinod Sahay said the company's objective is to develop electric heavy trucks capable of travelling at least 500 kilometres on a single charge.

The comments came during the launch of the company's new-generation Blazo i-TRK truck.

500-KM ELECTRIC TRUCK TARGET

According to Sahay, Mahindra plans to introduce heavy-duty electric trucks for long-distance freight transportation once charging facilities become sufficiently widespread.

The company sees charging infrastructure as a key requirement for the large-scale adoption of electric heavy trucks.

FOCUS ON HEAVY TRUCK MARKET

Mahindra is also targeting a recovery in its position in the heavy-truck segment.

The company previously held around 5% market share in the segment and is now aiming to regain that position through the introduction of new products.

NEW BLAZO i-TRK

The newly launched Blazo i-TRK is positioned as a next-generation truck featuring:

Improved fuel efficiency

A high-performance powertrain

Advanced connected technology

An industry-leading uptime guarantee

Mahindra says these features are designed to help truck owners improve operational productivity while reducing maintenance expenses.

BENEFITS FOR TRUCK OPERATORS

According to the company, better fuel efficiency and higher vehicle uptime could help operators:

Improve productivity

Reduce operating and maintenance costs

Increase vehicle utilisation

Improve overall revenue potential

ELECTRIC FUTURE

Mahindra's planned 500-km electric heavy truck highlights the growing focus on electrification of India's commercial-vehicle sector.

However, the company has not specified in the supplied report a launch date, battery capacity or price for the planned long-range electric heavy-duty truck.

KEY POINTS

Mahindra plans long-range electric heavy trucks.

Target range: at least 500 km per charge.

Wider charging infrastructure is considered essential.

New Blazo i-TRK has been launched.

Mahindra aims to regain its earlier 5% heavy-truck market share.

Blazo features improved efficiency, performance and connected technology.

The company says lower operating costs can improve truck-owner profitability.

MUMBAI, August 15, 2026: The search for the next chairperson of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, has reportedly begun, with senior executives from group companies as well as members of the Tata family emerging as potential candidates.

Current Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has announced that he will step down after his current term ends in February 2027.

GROUP CEOs IN THE RACE

According to the report, several senior Tata Group executives are being considered for the position.

Names reportedly being discussed include:

T.V. Narendran, Managing Director of Tata Steel

Praveer Sinha, CEO of Tata Power

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles

Ramakrishnan Mukundan, Managing Director of Tata Chemicals

The final selection is expected to be an important decision for the future direction of the conglomerate.

TATA FAMILY MEMBERS ALSO BEING CONSIDERED

Members of the Tata family are also reportedly part of the broader succession discussion.

Neville Tata, 32-year-old son of Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata, has emerged as one of the names being discussed.

Neville currently oversees responsibilities at Trent, while his sister Maya Tata is associated with Tata Digital.

NOEL TATA'S ROLE

Noel Tata, who chairs the Tata Trusts, is expected to play an important role in the selection process.

The report says Noel favours having industry professionals rather than bankers lead Tata companies and values executives who demonstrate competitiveness and loyalty to the group.

T.V. NARENDRAN SEEN AS A STRONG POSSIBILITY

Among the senior executives being discussed, T.V. Narendran, 61, is reportedly viewed as a potential frontrunner.

Narendran joined the Tata Group in 1988 and rose through the Tata Administrative Services.

He is also described in the report as one of the two CEOs frequently consulted by Noel Tata.

SUCCESSION PROCESS

The succession question has gained importance following Chandrasekaran's decision to leave the position in February 2027.

The eventual choice will determine who leads Tata Sons and, by extension, provides strategic direction to the wider Tata Group.

KEY POINTS

N Chandrasekaran is set to leave the Tata Sons chairmanship in February 2027.

Tata Group CEOs are reportedly among the potential candidates.

T.V. Narendran is reportedly considered a strong possibility.

Other names include Praveer Sinha, Shailesh Chandra and Ramakrishnan Mukundan.

Neville Tata is also reportedly being considered.

Maya Tata is associated with Tata Digital.

Noel Tata is expected to play an important role in the succession process.

The final decision will determine the next leadership direction of Tata Sons.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The Tata Group's succession process is expected to continue over the coming months, with the board and relevant stakeholders evaluating potential candidates before a final decision is made.

MUMBAI, August 15, 2026: Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and UK-based Rolls-Royce have announced plans to jointly build India's domestic capability in fighter aircraft propulsion, including exploring the development and manufacture of an engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.

The proposed partnership aims to strengthen India's ability to develop and manufacture advanced military aircraft engines domestically.

WHAT HAPPENED

The two companies said they are exploring the establishment of an Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India.

The proposed complex could cover the complete lifecycle of aircraft propulsion, including:

Power and propulsion technology

Engine design

Development

Manufacturing

Testing

Production

Lifetime support

AMCA PROGRAMME

The proposed indigenous engine is intended to support India's AMCA programme, a next-generation fighter aircraft initiative.

The partnership is aimed at developing greater domestic capability in fighter-engine technology and reducing India's dependence on foreign suppliers.

RELIANCE AND ROLLS-ROYCE EXPERTISE

Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani said strategic autonomy requires domestic capabilities in critical technologies.

According to the report, Rolls-Royce brings its experience in fighter-engine design and manufacturing, while Reliance contributes its technology, manufacturing and execution capabilities.

Ambani said the partnership could help India move towards self-reliance and eventually compete internationally in the sector.

ROLLS-ROYCE CEO ON THE PARTNERSHIP

Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic described the proposed collaboration as a potential milestone for India's self-reliance.

He said Rolls-Royce's long engineering experience combined with Reliance's position in India could help build a stronger aviation ecosystem.

The companies said the AMCA engine initiative could also open new opportunities in both defence and civil aviation.

WHY THE PROJECT MATTERS

India has historically depended significantly on foreign suppliers for advanced fighter aircraft engines.

Developing an indigenous high-performance engine has therefore been a long-standing strategic objective.

A successful domestic propulsion programme could strengthen:

Defence self-reliance

Aerospace manufacturing

Advanced engineering capabilities

Technology development

Domestic supply chains

India's strategic autonomy

PROJECT DETAILS YET TO BE DISCLOSED

The companies have not yet disclosed the financial structure of the proposed Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex.

Details regarding:

Investment amount

Construction timeline

Ownership/shareholding

Production schedule

have also not been announced, according to the supplied report.

KEY POINTS

Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce plan to collaborate on fighter-engine capabilities in India.

The companies are exploring an Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex.

The initiative is linked to the AMCA programme.

The proposed complex could cover design, development, manufacturing, testing and lifecycle support.

Reliance brings manufacturing and execution capabilities.

Rolls-Royce brings aircraft-engine design and manufacturing expertise.

The partnership is aimed at strengthening India's strategic self-reliance.

Financial details, ownership structure and project timeline remain undisclosed.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The immediate next step will be determining the structure and feasibility of the proposed Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex, including investment, technology development, ownership and implementation timelines.

If realised, the project could become an important step in India's long-term effort to build a domestic fighter-aircraft engine ecosystem.