13 May 2025
Celebrating Innovation and Achievements in the CV Sector
The commercial vehicle (CV) industry of India came together in full spirit to celebrate the 16th edition of the Apollo CV Awards 2025. The event was held on 11 March 2025 in Mumbai, where key players from the CV sector gathered to appreciate the remarkable work done in the year 2024 and look ahead to the future of the industry.
Organised by Commercial Vehicle magazine, which is part of Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd (a Shapoorji Pallonji Group Company), the awards continue to be supported by Apollo Tyres Ltd for the past 16 years. Other partners included Avanteum Advisors LLP and MarketsandMarkets as technical partners, Mazars in India as the audit partner, and Metric Global as the research and analytics partner. Mirror Now was the telecast partner, while Stepper continued its support as an event partner.
Big Winners of the Evening
Mahindra Veero (Diesel) SCV Pickup Bags 'CV of the Year'
In a grand moment, the Mahindra Veero (Diesel) SCV Pickup won the title of ‘CV of the Year’. This vehicle was praised for introducing a multi-energy platform that aligns with the industry’s shift towards clean and efficient technologies. It was a unanimous choice among the jury members, making it a proud moment for Mahindra.
Tata Motors Named 'CV Maker Of The Year'
Another major highlight was Tata Motors Ltd receiving the ‘CV Maker Of The Year’ award. The company maintained its leadership position in the market throughout the year. The jury recognised its wide product portfolio, innovation, and service support.
Top Industry Leaders Honoured
The event also celebrated individuals who have made a major difference in the CV industry.
- Suman Mishra, MD & CEO of Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Ltd, was honoured as the ‘Breakthrough Leader of the Year’.
- Dheeraj Hinduja, Executive Chairman of Ashok Leyland Ltd, was named ‘CV Person of the Year’.
- Vinod Aggarwal, Vice Chairman (Non-Executive) of Eicher Motors Ltd and MD & CEO of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd, received the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his long-standing contribution to the CV sector.
These awards celebrated both innovation and leadership, highlighting the people behind the success stories.
A Platform to Share Ideas and Industry Vision
Keynote Speech Highlights Future Growth
The keynote address by Sarwant Singh, President & Chief Commercial Officer - EMEA at MarketsandMarkets, was one of the main highlights. His talk, titled ‘Beyond Roads: Transforming Freight And People Mobility’, gave deep insights into the future of commercial mobility in India and beyond. He talked about new technologies, opportunities, and the role of sustainability in the next phase of growth.
White Paper on the Future of Commercial Vehicles
During the event, a special white paper titled ‘Future Of India & Growth Opportunities For Commercial Vehicles’ was launched. It was co-presented by MarketsandMarkets, Commercial Vehicle magazine, and Apollo Tyres. The white paper showed the changing trends in the CV sector, especially the shift to electric, LNG, CNG, and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
It also shared global forecasts, predicting that:
- Overall CV sales will grow at a CAGR of 4.7–4.8% between 2025 and 2030.
- Electric commercial vehicles are expected to grow at a CAGR of 47% during the same time.
Indian CV makers are now focusing more on localisation, cleaner fuels, and low-cost operations for fleet owners.
Panel Discussion on Green Freight Corridors
Industry Leaders Discuss Green Mobility
A special panel discussion on ‘Green Freight Corridors and Their Future’ took place, where top minds of the CV industry shared their thoughts. The session was led by VG Ramakrishnan, Managing Partner at Avanteum Advisors LLP, who brought valuable insights with his years of experience.
The panel discussed what is needed to make green freight corridors (GFCs) work in India. They explored both the opportunities and challenges, such as the need for infrastructure and the role of the government and private sector in making these corridors successful.
Strong Message on Self-Reliance and Localisation
Support from the Government of India
The 16th Apollo CV Awards also highlighted the role of Government policies like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047. These programmes aim to make India more self-reliant and reduce dependency on imports by encouraging local manufacturing and skill development. This is expected to help Indian companies grow their exports and compete globally with advanced commercial vehicle products.
Strong Support for the Ecosystem
Focus on Dealers, Fleet Owners, and Service Providers
In addition to recognising vehicles and individuals, the event also appreciated the work of dealers, fleet operators, body builders, and service providers who form the backbone of the industry. The event showed that for the CV sector to grow, all parts of the ecosystem must grow together.
Sandeep Mathur, Group Head - OEM Business at Apollo Tyres Ltd, talked about the importance of customer experience and said customers are ready to spend more when they see clear value addition.
Ashish Bhatia, Editor - Commercial Vehicle magazine, explained the strict process behind nominations and the jury meet, which made sure the winners were selected fairly and thoughtfully.
A Glimpse Into the Future
The 16th edition of the Apollo CV Awards successfully brought together decision-makers from across the CV industry. It helped set the tone for the rest of the financial year and encouraged the industry to move forward with new ideas, cleaner energy, and smart technology.
Looking ahead, the focus will remain on sustainability, efficiency, and growth, with the Indian CV industry gearing up to meet global standards. With increasing use of telematics, electric propulsion, and connected technologies, the future indeed looks bright for commercial vehicles in India.
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