VE Commercial Vehicles has unveiled the Pro X Diesel, a ground-up Indian small commercial vehicle engineered for modern logistics, extending the Pro X architecture from electric to diesel, embodying VECV’s focus on fuel efficiency, driver comfort, manufacturing innovation and real-world validation. At the unveiling of the new range, we spoke to Mr. Bhagwan Bindiganavile, Executive Vice President for Strategic Planning, Brand and Communications; Mr. Abhishek Chaudhary, Senior Vice President for Small Trucks; Mr. S. S. Gill, Chief Commercial Officer; and Mr. Sachin Agrawal, Executive Vice President for Product Development, VE Commercial Vehicles.
VECV marked an important milestone as it unveiled the new Eicher Pro X Diesel, expanding its Pro X architecture into a diesel portfolio after initially debuting as an electric vehicle. The launch coincided with the completion of 18 years of the Volvo – Eicher joint venture, a partnership that has steadily pushed the boundaries of modernization in India’s transportation ecosystem. The company framed the Pro X Diesel not as another model addition, but as a response to the fast-changing needs of logistics, urban delivery and small commercial vehicle operators across the country.
Opening the event, Mr. Bhagwan Bindiganavile, Executive Vice President – Strategic Planning, Brand & Communications, VECV, underlined the maturity of the partnership and the clarity of its vision. “Over the years, this relationship has stood on one vision; driving modernization,” he said. “What you see today is the next step in that journey.” His message set the tone for a launch that positioned the new vehicle as a solution crafted for an India that is not only growing rapidly but also demanding higher standards of efficiency and reliability.
Bringing the Pro X Philosophy to Diesel Users
The Pro X portfolio began as an electric platform, but VECV recognised that the market for small commercial vehicles is far from homogenous. While electrification is progressing in many urban clusters, areas with limited charging infrastructure or specific duty cycles still rely on diesel. The Pro X Diesel has been developed to bridge this divide, ensuring that customers in non-electrifiable regions are not left behind.
Bhagwan reinforced this point by addressing the realities of adoption. “Electromobility is a journey. Some customers can adopt it today; many will adopt it tomorrow. Meanwhile, they too deserve the same values; efficiency, reliability, productivity.” The new diesel variant translates the Pro X promise; cleaner mobility, modern ergonomics and higher productivity; into a fuel format that continues to dominate India’s logistics map.
A Ground-Up Indian Product, Tested to Global Standards
A major highlight of the launch was the emphasis on engineering. VECV repeatedly clarified that the Pro X Diesel is not a reworked vehicle, but one built from scratch. Every structural, mechanical and ergonomic element has been designed and manufactured in India, drawing from the company’s local R&D and manufacturing ecosystems.
The testing story strengthens its credentials. The Pro X has undergone rigorous validation at NATRAX, the world-class proving ground located near VECV’s facilities. “This is not something we have fitted. Every nut, bolt, engine, component, gearbox, cab, seat, chassis; everything is designed and developed here, manufactured just 10 kilometres from Natrax and assembled in Bhopal,” Bhagwan said. The message was clear: this is a modern Indian truck engineered to meet global benchmarks of performance and durability.
Built Around Real Customer Challenges
The Pro X Diesel’s design began with an intensive customer research programme. Operators consistently highlighted pain points such as tightly squeezed cabs, inadequate rest accommodation, inefficient cargo layouts and the challenge of manoeuvring in dense city traffic. They also stressed that fuel efficiency remains the most critical operating concern in a segment where diesel can account for up to half of the vehicle’s running cost.
Mr. Abhishek Chaudhary, SVP – Small Trucks, VECV described how these insights shaped the vehicle. “We decided not to assume. We spoke to people who run the business every day. The Pro X is an expert built for experts,” he said. Over one million kilometres of real-world trials helped refine the platform, ensuring that every improvement; from turning radius to cabin comfort–translates into real productivity gains for small fleet owners and owner-operators.
The Pro X Diesel is powered by the newly developed E449X2 engine, a powertrain crafted to deliver consistent fuel economy under diverse load and route conditions. This is an area where VECV has long held an advantage. The company’s engines, exported globally and spanning 80 to 350 hp, have given it deep experience in balancing torque, efficiency and reliability.
Mr. S.S. Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, emphasised fuel efficiency as a non-negotiable expectation. “Fuel accounts for 45 to 55 percent of operating cost. Mileage ka Badshah is not a slogan; it is our promise, proven by engineering,” he explained. The Pro X Diesel builds upon this legacy, positioning itself as a dependable workhorse for urban and semi-urban delivery segments.
Reimagining Manufacturing: An All-Women Assembly Line
One of the most progressive aspects of the Pro X story lies in how it is built. The vehicle is assembled on an all-women production line at VECV’s Bhopal plant, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusion and advanced manufacturing practices. The line follows Industry 4.0 standards, and both electric and diesel variants are assembled on the same modular architecture.
Leadership called this a proud milestone for the organisation. “This is not just a truck. It represents inclusion, opportunity and the future of manufacturing in India,” Mr. Chaudhary stated during the event. Critical components such as the battery pack or diesel tank are mounted between the chassis rails, demonstrating a safety-first design philosophy that aligns with the modern identity of the Pro X platform.
A New Retail Experience Tailored for SCV Customers
The company also used the occasion to highlight improvements in customer experience. Small commercial vehicle buyers, they observed, do not always receive the attention or respect accorded to larger fleet operators. To address this, VECV has begun setting up dedicated Pro X dealerships, with new outlets being inaugurated every week. The brand aims to offer a seamless research-to-purchase journey, supported by technology, faster turnaround, and trained staff who understand SCV requirements.
The significance of this shift was summarised during the presentation by Mr. Gill: “We want to ensure that a buyer of a one-tonne truck is treated with the same respect as a buyer of a multi-axle vehicle. That is why we created dedicated spaces for them.” This repositioning is aimed at establishing trust among first-time buyers and strengthening long-term brand loyalty.
Driver Comfort at the Centre
VECV has designed the Pro X Diesel with a strong focus on the driver. The spacious factory-built metal cabin offers smarter ergonomics, while the layout allows drivers to rest without compromising available space. Features such as a side-mounted handbrake free up knee room, and the integration of digital fleet tools; including MyEicher; helps drivers and owners make informed decisions about operations.
Mr. Gill described this approach as a natural extension of the company’s ethos. “A driver spends almost his entire day inside the cabin. Improving his comfort is not a feature; it is a responsibility,” one spokesperson said. The Pro X Diesel builds on this belief by making the cabin a more productive and less fatiguing workspace.
A Modern Indian Truck for a Modernising Nation
The unveiling of the Eicher Pro X Diesel demonstrates VECV’s ability to align engineering rigor, manufacturing excellence and practical customer insights into a cohesive product offering. It is grounded in Indian realities, built with global discipline, and shaped directly by the people who use small trucks every day. And as the country strives to make logistics more cost-efficient and competitive, the Pro X Diesel positions itself as a timely answer to the demands of a rapidly advancing economy.
The newly unveiled Eicher Pro X Diesel is powered by an engine developed entirely from scratch for the 3–3.5-ton segment; a category that Mr. Sachin Agrawal, EVP–Product Development, described as large but underserved. He said the team interviewed more than a thousand customers and captured three thousand insights before defining the product. “Customers told us clearly that they wanted lower TCO, easier maintenance and a vehicle that gives peace of mind, especially in the owner-driven chalak-malak segment,” he noted.
Built around these expectations, the 2-litre, four-cylinder engine uses lightweight materials and integrates several patented technologies to keep noise, friction and maintenance at a minimum. Features like the patented integrated water pump, low-noise timing drive and an optimised crank train allow for a 30,000-km service interval; far higher than segment norms. “We focused on reducing every element of noise and downtime, which is why this engine delivers best-in-class maintainability, performance and fuel efficiency,” he said.
To meet BS6-OBD2 norms without urea, Eicher opted for a close-coupled lean NOx trap system mounted directly on the engine, ensuring high exhaust temperatures and strong emissions efficiency. With 80 hp, 230 Nm of flat torque and multiple driving modes, the Pro X Diesel is tuned for city, highway and kaccha road applications. “Real-world validation across 20-plus applications has shaped this calibration. CNG is also nearing readiness, and we continue evaluating hybrid, LNG and hydrogen for the future,” Mr. Agrawal added.
In every message shared at the launch, the underlying idea was consistent: the Eicher Pro X Diesel is not simply a new product line; it is a statement of what the future of India’s small commercial mobility should look like.
