Commercial vehicles stole the show on day two of the Auto Expo with players launching swanky buses and technologically advanced trucks in the backdrop of the government?s emphasis on infrastructure development and enhanced focus on urban transport, which has led to greater demand for buses by various state transports corporations.

Apart from launches in the conventional fuels category, the day also saw showcasing of hybrid as well as the first CNG buses from the stable of Volvo and several new trucks, spread across the mini truck segment to the heavy commercial vehicle category.

The day saw Volvo Buses India foraying into CNG buses to be a part of fleet modernisation by various state transports under the JNNURM. ?With over 50% share in the diesel AC segment, we look forward to the CNG segment with earnestness,? Akash Passey, managing director, Volvo Buses India, said, adding that with Volvo CNG city bus, the company is now ready for an even larger share of the segment.

Eicher Motors unveiled a city bus with floor height of 650 mm and a 12-metre rear engine. Commonly known as the RESLF (rear engine semi low-floor), this bus will come in diesel and CNG variants and the company expects to achieve over 20% market share of the city-bus segment by 2015, as it starts delivery of these buses in Q3 of 2010.

Hybrid buses from Ashok Leyland and Tata Motors and a luxury bus from Mercedes Benz India also attracted attraction. Hinduja Group?s flagship company Ashok Leyland on Wednesday unveiled India?s first electric plug-in CNG hybrid bus, HYBUS, which is expected to save 20-30% fuel and would run during the upcoming Commonwealth games.

Tata Motors, which showcased the concept hybrid bus model on Wednesday, will be launching its hybrid low-floor city bus by early next year. The hybrid bus will carry a lithium-ion battery and will be a trend setter in the segment.

Meanwhile, the company is also working on a new light commercial vehicle platform. The first product from the new platform, which ranges from 3.5 to 9-tonne vehicles, will be rolled out in the next financial year (FY?11). ?We are working on this new platform which will complement the Prima range of trucks and complement our existing range,? Ravi Pisharody, president (commercial vehicle business unit), Tata Motors, said, adding that the company has increased prices of its medium and heavy commercial vehicles by 1% with effect from January 1, 2010.

Mercedes Benz, which is a relatively small player in the bus segment with sales of just 25 units ever since its foray into the segment since 2008, has launched its multi-axle luxury bus, priced at Rs 85 lakh in the domestic market. The chasis of the three-axle vehicle will be made by Mercedes Benz while the body will be assembled by its Indian partner, Sutlej Motors.

In the light commercial vehicle category, Mahindra and Mahindra will roll out Maxximo, touted as the world?s first mini truck to be powered by a 2-cylinder CRDe engine, form the Chakan plant.

The light commercial vehicle segment, has, of late, gained significance because of expansion in retail sector in the country and was the only sub-segment in the commercial vehicle category that was least effected during the recession.

In the heavy vehicle category, VE Commercial Vehicles has launched its all-new range of Eicher heavy-duty trucks, the VE series, ranging from 16T – 40T GVW (gross vehicle weight) to enhnance the company?s market share in the segment. ?The VE Series will enable Eicher Trucks and Buses to consolidate its position as a full-range premium mass market player wresting 15% share of the heavy-duty truck market in India by 2015,? Siddhartha Lal, MD & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles, said.