Mahindra Truck and Bus has launched the BLAZO i-TRK with onboard artificial intelligence, automated drive-mode selection and connected diagnostics as it looks to strengthen its position in India's heavy commercial vehicle market.
The company is targeting a 5% share of the heavy truck segment, up from its current share of around 3% to 3.5%, according to Vinod Sahay, President, Aerospace, Trucks & Buses at Mahindra & Mahindra and Chairman of SML Mahindra and Mahindra Advanced Technologies.
Heavy trucks represent around 40% to 45% of India's truck and bus industry by volume but account for nearly 60% of revenue, making the segment an important part of Mahindra's commercial vehicle expansion strategy.
At the centre of the BLAZO i-TRK is an AI-enabled automatic drive-mode system. Mahindra says it is the first technology of its kind in India's heavy commercial vehicle segment.
The system uses an onboard dual-core AI chip alongside GPS and vehicle sensors to evaluate factors including road conditions, gradient, traffic and payload. It also processes information such as engine RPM, gear position and accelerator usage to automatically select an appropriate power mode.
The AI processing happens onboard rather than through the cloud. The system can determine whether the vehicle is empty, carrying its rated load or overloaded and use that information when adjusting its drive mode.
Mahindra's previous FuelSmart technology required drivers to manually switch between low, medium and high-power settings. The new system automates that process, reducing dependence on manual intervention while adapting vehicle performance to operating conditions.
Fuel efficiency is another part of the company's pitch. Mahindra claims the BLAZO i-TRK delivers a 15% improvement over its earlier base, while comparisons conducted by the company against newer competing products showed a 6% to 10% advantage. Mahindra estimates that the improvement could generate up to ₹15 lakh in additional profit per truck over five years, depending on operating conditions.
The truck also introduces a 48-hour uptime guarantee. Mahindra has committed to paying customers ₹10,000 per day if a vehicle is not returned to operation within the promised period.
Connected features include predictive diagnostics, remote immobilisation and over-the-air capabilities. Mahindra says the technology can identify potential problems before they result in vehicle breakdowns.
The launch comes as Mahindra integrates SML Mahindra into its wider truck and bus operations. The combined business currently has about 6% market share. Mahindra's FY26 annual report also identifies 10% to 12% market share by FY31 and more than 20% by FY36 as longer-term targets.
The company is targeting ₹12,500 crore in truck and bus revenue by FY31, compared with around ₹6,000 crore currently, according to Sahay. It is also working on electric trucks, although product specifications and launch timelines have not yet been disclosed.
Mahindra's AI push highlights the growing role of embedded intelligence in commercial vehicles, where technology is increasingly being applied to fuel management, predictive maintenance, uptime and fleet economics. For Mahindra, the immediate test will be whether these capabilities can help it regain its earlier 5% position in India's competitive heavy truck market.