Ashok Leyland

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Ashok Leyland Limited
TypePublic
ISININE208A01029
IndustryAutomotive
Founded7 September 1948; 73 years ago (1948-09-07)
HeadquartersChennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Area served
Worldwide
Products
ServicesVehicle financing
RevenueDecrease ₹22,059 crore (US$3.1 billion) (2020)[1]
Decrease ₹2,537 crore (US$360 million) (2020)[1]
Decrease ₹456 crore (US$64 million) (2020)[1]
Total assetsDecrease ₹38,126 crore (US$5.3 billion) (2020)[1]
Total equityDecrease ₹7,469 crore (US$1.0 billion) (2020)[1]
Number of employees
11,463 (2020)[1]
ParentHinduja Group 51.54%
Subsidiaries
  • Albonair GmbH
  • Global TVS Bus Body Builders Limited
  • Optare
  • Hinduja Leyland Finance
  • Hinduja Tech
  • Lanka Ashok Leyland[2]
Websitewww.ashokleyland.com

Ashok Leyland is an Indian multinational automotive manufacturer, headquartered in Chennai. It is owned by the Hinduja Group.[3] It was founded in 1948 as Ashok Motors and became Ashok Leyland in the year 1955.[citation needed] Ashok Leyland is the second-largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India, the third-largest manufacturer of buses in the world,[4] and the tenth-largest manufacturers of trucks. With the corporate office located in Chennai, its manufacturing facilities are spread across the country namely Ennore (Tamil Nadu), Bhandara (Maharashtra), Hosur (two units), Alwar (Rajasthan) and Pantnagar (Uttarakhand).[5][6]

Ashok Leyland also has manufacturing units spread across the globe with a bus manufacturing facility in Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), one at Leeds, United Kingdom and a joint venture with the Alteams Group for the manufacture of high-press die-casting extruded aluminum components for the automotive and telecommunications sectors.[7] Ashok Leyland has recently been ranked as 34th best brand in India.[8] In 2019, the company was awarded the AON Best Employers for India award.[9] A US $2.3 billion company, and a footprint that extends across 50 countries, the company is one of the most fully-integrated manufacturing companies.[10][11] Ashok Leyland has a product range from 1T GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) to 55T GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) in trucks, 9 to 80-seater buses, vehicles for defense and special applications, and diesel engines for industrial, genset and marine applications.[12] Ashok Leyland launched India's first electric bus and Euro 6 compliant truck in 2016.[13] In 2019, Ashok Leyland claimed to be in the top 10 global commercial vehicle makers.[14]

Operating nine plants, Ashok Leyland also makes spare parts and engines for industrial and marine applications. It sold approximately 140,000 vehicles (M&HCV and LCV) in FY 2016. It is the second largest commercial vehicle company in India in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) segment, with a market share of 32.1% (FY 2016). With passenger transportation options ranging from 10 seaters to 74 seaters (M&HCV = LCV), Ashok Leyland is a market leader in the bus segment. In the trucks segment Ashok Leyland primarily concentrates on the 16 to 25-ton range. However, Ashok Leyland has a presence in the entire truck range, from 7.5 to 49 tons.

History[]

A 2018 stamp sheet of India dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Ashok Leyland

Ashok Motors[]

Ashok Motors was founded in 1948 by Raghunandan Saran. He was an Indian freedom fighter from Punjab.[15] After Independence, he was persuaded by India's first Prime Minister Nehru to invest in a modern industrial venture. Ashok Motors was incorporated in 1948 as a company to assemble and manufacture Austin cars from England, and the company was named after the founder's only son, Ashok Saran. The company had its headquarters in Chennai, with the manufacturing plant in Chennai. The company was engaged in the assembly and distribution of Austin A40 passenger cars in India.

Under Leyland[]

Raghunandan Saran had previously negotiated with Leyland Motors of England for assembly of commercial vehicles as he envisioned commercial vehicle were more in need at that time than were passenger cars. But unfortunately Raghunandan Saran died in a air crash shortly and the company under the Madras State Government and other shareholders finalised for an investment and technology partner, and thus Leyland Motors joined in 1954 with equity participation, changing the name of the company to Ashok Leyland. Ashok Leyland then started manufacturing commercial vehicles. Under Leyland's management with British expatriate and Indian executives the company grew in strength to become one of India's foremost commercial vehicle manufacturers. Raghunandan family continued to be one of the major shareholders.

The collaboration ended sometime in 1975 but the holding of British Leyland, now a major British auto conglomerate as a result of several mergers, agreed to assist in technology, which continued until the 1980s. After 1975, changes in management structures saw the company launch various vehicles in the Indian market, with many of these models continuing to this day with numerous upgrades over the years.

Under Iveco and Hinduja partnership[]

In 1987, the overseas holding by Land Rover Leyland International Holdings Limited (LRLIH) was taken over by a joint venture between the Hinduja Group, the Non-Resident Indian transnational group and Iveco, part of the Fiat Group.[16]

Hinduja Group[]

In 2007, the Hinduja Group also bought out Iveco's indirect stake in Ashok Leyland. The promoter shareholding now stands at 51%. Today the company is the flagship of the Hinduja Group, a British-based and Indian originated trans-national conglomerate.

Ashok Leyland AVTR[]

In June 2020, Ashok Leyland launched its new range of modular trucks, AVTR, that came with i-Gen6 BS-VI technology. The AVTR truck range offers the customers with customization of their trucks based on axle configurations, loading spans, cabins, suspensions, and drivetrains on a single platform for the entire range of trucks, tippers and tractors in the 18.5T to 55T category.[17]

The new AVTR platform provides better total cost of operations, overall maintenance and vehicle cost management.[18]

The AVTR platform is BS-VI compliant and allows customization based on specific customer requirements with the ability to switch between right-hand-drive and left-hand-drive.[19]

Bada Dost[]

In September 2020, Ashok Leyland launched the Bada Dost based on its indigenously developed LCV platform called Phoenix. It is launched with 2 variants i3 and i4 which are available in both right-hand-drive and left-hand-drive options. The company having invested ₹350 crores on developing their new product on a brand new platform, planned to introduce electric versions in time.[20]

Both the variants of the Bada Dost, i4 and i3, come with the latest BS-VI engines. The company claimed that the variants are equipped with a best-in-class payload capacity of 1,860 kg and 1,405 kg, and are priced at INR 7.75 lakh and INR 7.79 lakh respectively.[21]

The products are equipped with a first-in-segment 3-seater walkthrough cabin, foldable back rest and a collapsible hand-brake, power steering and AC. It also comes with a dual tone dashboard and digital instrument cluster.[22]

Ashok Leyland – Road to School[]

Hinduja National Hospital's mobile clinics built on Ashok Leyland platforms

Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group, has a wide variety of CSR programs spanning environment, health, education and infrastructure.[23] In 2015-16, Ashok Leyland partnered with Learning Links Foundation, an NGO, to develop and provide a holistic program, consisting of educational and health improvements, to the children in India who drop out of school due to lack of infrastructure, poor financial and living conditions that make it difficult for them to pursue education and improve their standard of living. As per a 2016 report by UNESCO Institute for Statistics and Global Education Monitoring, India ranked the highest globally in terms of adolescents who dropped out of schools which was estimated at 47 million students.[24] The Road to School program began with 36 schools in Shoolagiri and Anchetty in Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, and has now reached 714 schools impacting more than 55,000 students in government primary and upper primary schools.[25]

Objectives of the program[]

The program helps identify and provide focused attention to children who need support with respect to their learning levels as well as provide utmost care and support to the differently abled children. This is achieved by appointing Resource Personnel, trained by Learning Links Foundation, to work closely with the teachers in the identified schools and focus on the late bloomers to get them on par with other kids of their age or class. Under this program, the Ashok Leyland has conducted health check-ups and maintained a database of the children to provide the necessary care whenever required. The Road to School program enables the children in building self-confidence and leadership qualities with the help of programs such as sports competitions, science fairs, math competitions and motivational talks.[26]

In 2019, in partnership with the Akshaya Patra Foundation, Ashok Leyland launched the Breakfast Program that benefitted 7,800 students in 70 Government schools in Shoolagiri and Thally Block. The program was aimed to provide hot and nutritious breakfast to the school children as it is the most important meal of the day for them to remain healthy, energetic and focused throughout the day in school. The breakfast includes millet cookies, buns, Aavin milk. The program is also aimed at bringing social equality among the children belonging to remote villages.[27]

iCare[]

In 2020, in wake of the pandemic, COVID-19, Hinduja Foundation launched the ‘iCare: Volunteer from Home’ initiative which was aimed at reaching out to the underprivileged children across the nation and provide online education. Under this initiative, employees of the Hinduja Group Companies, including Ashok Leyland and others, interacted with the students and their families to engage them in a range of activities through technology based online and offline interactive modes. The iCare initiative spanned over the states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana.[28]

Light commercial vehicles and buses[]

With the launch of the new LCV, Bada Dost, in September 2020 and an expertise in electric buses, Ashok Leyland proposed ambitious plans to become a significant player in the global market with a diverse portfolio of vehicles. The company has claimed to have new buses in its pipeline that will help strengthen their product portfolio in SAARC, Middle East, Africa and ASEAN markets. Ashok Leyland with its subsidiary, Optare, plans to consolidate its hold in markets such as the UK, other European countries, Australia and New Zealand.[29]

Partnerships[]

Hino Motors[]

During the early 1980s Ashok Leyland entered into a collaboration with Japanese company Hino Motors from whom technology for the H-series engines was sourced. Many indigenous versions of the H-series engine were developed with 4 and 6 cylinders, and also conforming to BS2, BS3 & BS4 emission standards in India. These engines proved to be extremely popular with the customers primarily for their excellent fuel efficiency. Most current models of Ashok Leyland come with H-series engines. Japan entered into a Mutual Cooperation Agreement (MCA) on 27 November 2017 renewing their cooperative agreement that had started in 1986. According to the agreement Ashok Leyland will use Hino's engine technology for its Euro 6 development and will support in the development of Hino's engine parts purchasing in India for global operation.[30]

Rosoboronexport & ELCOM[]

Ashok Leyland Defence Systems (ALDS), Russia's Rosoboronexport and ELCOM Group have signed a cooperation agreement in defence business to provide tracked vehicles to Indian Armed Forces. The agreement was signed on the side lines of the International Military Technical Forum Army – 2017 held at Kubinka, near Moscow, on 25 August 2017.[31][32]

IIT Madras[]

Ashok Leyland and Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) signed a memorandum of understanding, on 19 August 2017, for Ashok Leyland to sponsor the Centre of Battery Engineering (CoBE) at IIT Madras. As part of the agreement Ashok Leyland has partnered with IIT Madras to carry out research and development (R&D) activities for strengthening battery engineering and related sub-parts, especially for electric vehicles.[33][34]

Sun Mobility[]

On 18 July 2017 Ashok Leyland announced the formation of an alliance with SUN Mobility, The global partnership aims to develop electric vehicles.[35]

Iveco partnership[]

In the late 1980s Iveco investment and partnership resulted in Ashok Leyland launching the 'Cargo' range of trucks based on European Ford Cargo trucks. The Cargo entered production in 1994, at Ashok Leyland's new plant in Hosur, southeast of Bengaluru.[36] These vehicles used Iveco engines and for the first time had factory-fitted cabs. Though the Cargo trucks are no longer in production and the use of Iveco engine was discontinued, the cab continues to be used on the Ecomet range of trucks as well as for several of Ashok Leyland's military vehicles.

The Cargo was originally introduced in 7 and 9 long tons (7,100 and 9,100 kg) versions; later, heavier-duty models from 15 to 26 long tons (15,200 to 26,400 kg) were progressively introduced.[37]

Products[]

  • Current generation Ashok Leyland eComet

  • Ashok Leyland Titan Double Decker bus of BEST, Mumbai

  • Ashok Leyland City Transit Bus in Navi Mumbai

  • Ashok Leyland Inter-City Deluxe Bus operated by APSRTC

  • Ashok Leyland Tusker Twin Axle Lorry with custom built cabin, a regular sight on Indian highways

  • A 1980s-built short haul Ashok Leyland lorry in Tamil Nadu, still in operation

  • A Telangana State Road Transport Corporation TSRTC city bus in Hyderabad

  • Ashok Leyland Comet tipper lorry

Buses[]

Current range

  • MTC
  • 12M: all applications (chassis only)
  • 12M FESLF: City bus (integral)
  • Viking: All applications (integral and chassis only)
  • Cheetah: all applications (integral and chassis only)
  • Eagle: All applications (integral and chassis only)
  • Electric Bus: All applications (integral)
  • Freedom: intercity bus (integral and chassis only)
  • Hawk: All applications (integral and chassis only)
  • Falcon: All applications (integral and chassis only)
  • Hybus low floor: City and tarmac bus (integral)
  • JanBus: City and tarmac bus (integral)

JanBus is the world's first single step front engine bus introduced by Ashok Leyland .

  • Lynx: All applications
  • Mitr: metro feeder, school, staff (integral)

Ashok Leyland MiTR (or MiTR) is a Minibus manufactured by Ashok Leyland in Joint venture with Nissan. The vehicle was unveiled in January 2014 during the 12th Auto Expo 2014 and was launched in July 2014.

  • Oyster: All applications (integral and chassis only)
  • 12M RE: City bus (integral)
  • RESLF: City and tarmac bus (integral)
  • REULE: City and tarmac bus (integral)
  • Sunshine: School bus (integral)
  • Titan: City bus (chassis only)

In 1968, production of the Leyland Titan ceased in Britain, but was restarted by Ashok Leyland in India. The Titan PD3 chassis was modified, and a five-speed heavy duty constant-mesh gearbox was used together with the Ashok Leyland version of the O.680 engine. The Ashok Leyland Titan was very successful and continued in production for many years.

Former range

  • Comet

Early products included the Leyland Comet bus which was a passenger body built on a truck chassis sold in large numbers to many operators in India. By 1963, the Comet was operated by every state transport undertaking in India, and over 8,000 were in service. It was soon joined in production by a version of the Leyland Tiger.

  • Panther
  • Falcon

Trucks[]

Current range

  • Boss

Boss is an intermediate commercial vehicle launched by Ashok Leyland. It is available in the range of 11T to 14T. It is available with two engine options 120 IL (LE) and 130 CRS (LX) engines, and this is the first time such an engine has been offered in this range of trucks. The LX variant is available with air conditioning and Leymatic AMT, which are again industry firsts. The presently available models are:

  • 1115
  • 1215
  • 1315
  • 1415
  • Ecomet
  • 1015
  • 1115
  • 1215
  • 1415
  • 1615
  • AVTR Modular Platform
  • 1920
  • 2820 6x2
  • 2820 6x4
  • 2825
  • 3120 6x2 (To be launched soon)
  • 3520 8x2 (Lift Axle/Twin Steer)
  • 3525 8x4
  • 4020
  • 4120 8x2 (Double-Tire Lift Axle)
  • 4220 10x2
  • 4225 10x2
  • 4620
  • 4825 10x2
  • 4825 10x4
  • 5225
  • 5425
  • 5525 4x2
  • 5525 6x4

Former range

  • Beaver
  • Rhino
  • U-Truck
  • Captain

Light Vehicles[]

Current range

  • Dost

The Dost is a 1.25 ton light commercial vehicle (LCV) that is the first product to be launched by the Indian-Japanese commercial vehicle joint venture Ashok Leyland Nissan Vehicles. Dost is powered by a 58 hp high-torque, 3-cylinder, turbo-charged common rail diesel engine and has a payload capacity of 1.25 tonnes. It is available in both BS3 and BS4 versions. The bodywork and some of the underpinnings relate to Nissan's C22 Vanette of the 1980s; this is most visible in the door design. The LCV is produced in Ashok Leyland's Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu. The LCV is available in three versions. With the launch of Dost Ashok Leyland has now entered the Light Commercial Vehicle segment in India[38][39][40][41][42]

  • Guru
  • Partner

Former range

Stile

Ashok Leyland STiLE light commercial vehicle

STiLE is a multi-purpose vehicle which was manufactured by Ashok Leyland. The vehicle was unveiled during the 2012 Auto Expo and was launched in July 2013. STiLE was marketed as a "multi-purpose vehicle" for use as a hotel shuttle, taxi, ambulance, and panel van, and in courier service. In May 2015, Ashok Leyland stopped production due to low demand.[43][44][45][46]

Subsidiary ventures[]

Construction equipment[]

In June 2009 the company expanded into the fastest growing construction equipment segment, with a 50:50 joint venture with John Deere. It was floated as a separate entity under the name of Leyland – Deere Limited.[47]

Ashok Leyland Defence Systems[]

Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ)'s Stallion 4X4 Truck for the Indian Army
An Indian road-mobile launcher with a ballistic missile
Ashok Leyland's Stallion Kavach 4X4 Mine Protection Armoured Vehicle

Ashok Leyland Defence Systems (ALDS) is a newly floated company by the Hinduja Group. Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of Hinduja group, holds 26 percent in the newly formed Ashok Leyland Defence Systems (ALDS). The company has a mandate to design and develop defence logistics and tactical vehicles, defence communication and other systems.[48] Ashok Leyland is the largest supplier of logistics vehicles to the Indian Army. It has supplied over 60,000 of its Stallion vehicles, all manufactured at the Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ), which form the Army's logistics backbone.[49]

International operations & exports[]

Overview of exports[]

Exports of commercial vehicles contribute to a seven percent share of Ashok Leyland's total revenues. The company plans to increase this share to 30–38% in the next five years.[50]

Key market presence[]

A new Ashok Leyland 3518iL chassis unit for custom built cab and load body

The company has a strong market presence in SAARC countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, and in the Middle East countries where it exports 3600–4000 units a year.[51] The company has an assembly unit, mainly for buses, in Ras Al Khaimah in UAE to cater to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.[52] This unit currently assembles 4000 units, which the company plans to increase to 6000 units.[50]

Exports to countries[]

Ashok Leyland exports medium and heavy commercial vehicles to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries like Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine, East And West Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia.

In 2016, the company announced its intentions for increasing its global footprint by planning to export one out of every three vehicles produced in India over the next 4–5 years and to set up assembly factories in Bangladesh, West Africa and East Africa over the next 2–3 years, in order to derisk cyclical market in India.[52]

Lanka Ashok Leyland[]

A Lanka Ashok Leyland bus in Sri Lanka in 2013

Lanka Ashok Leyland (LAL) in Sri Lanka was formed in 1982 and started its operations in 1983 as a joint venture between Lanka Leyland Ltd (a wholly owned company of the Government of Sri Lanka) and Ashok Leyland Ltd India. LAL imports commercial vehicles in both knock down kits and fully built, and carries out assembly operations, repair and service, and body building on chassis.[53]

Avia[]

In October 2006, Ashok Leyland bought a large stake in the Czech-based Avia, later renaming as Avia Ashok Leyland Motors s.r.o., to gain entry into the competitive European market. However, the prolonged recession in Europe forced them to shut down the Czech operations in 2013.

Optare[]

An Optare Versa parked outside Optare's Sherburn-in-Elmet factory

In 2010 Ashok Leyland acquired a 26% stake in the British bus manufacturer Optare,[54][55] a company that was originally based on the premises of a former British Leyland subsidiary Charles H Roe before moving to the new purpose built factory in 2011 in Sherburn-in-Elmet.[56] In 2017, Ashok Leyland acquired a further 72.31% stake in Optare increasing its overall stake to 98.31%.[57]

Technology[]

Ashok Leyland railbus manufactured by Sri Lanka Railways engineers

It was the first in India to introduce multi-axled trucks, full air brakes and innovations like the rear engine and articulated buses. In 1997, the company launched the country's first CNG bus, and in 2002 developed the first hybrid electric vehicle.

A Rural Mobile health clinic built on Ashok Leyland's e-comet truck

Ashok Leyland was already producing low-emission vehicles. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, Ashok Leyland with various Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation, notably Cholan Roadways Corporation based in Trichripally, experimented with low pollutant emission based on the CNG technology. In 2002 it developed the first hybrid electric vehicle. Ashok Leyland has also launched a mobile emission clinic that operates on highways and at entry points to New Delhi. The clinic checks vehicles for emission levels, recommends remedies and offers tips on maintenance and care. This work will help generate valuable data and garner insight that will guide further development.

Hythane engines[]

Ashok Leyland has also developed hythane engines in association with the Australian company Eden Energy. Ashok Leyland successfully developed a 6-cylinder, 6-litre (370 cu in) 92 kW (123 hp) BS-4 engine which uses hythane (H-CNG,) which is a blend of natural gas and around 20% of hydrogen. Hydrogen helps improve the efficiency of the engine but the CNG aspect makes sure that emissions are at a controlled level. A 4-cylinder 4-litre (240 cu in) 63 kW (84 hp) engine is also being developed for H-CNG blend in a joint R&D program with MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) and Indian Oil Corporation.

CNG engines[]

The CNG concept is now in full swing, with more than 5,500 of the technology's vehicles running around Delhi. The company is also already discussing the wide-scale use of hythane engines with the Indian government. Hythane engines may be expected in the near future.

Hybrid technology[]

Plugin Hybrid Bus[]

In the Auto Expo 2010 at Delhi, Ashok Leyland launched India's first plug-in CNG hybrid bus, HYBUS. The hybrid bus offered 20–30% fuel saving over conventional buses powered by internal combustion engine, and were more eco-friendly than regular CNG buses, as a result of its hybrid technology that combined conventional CNG engine with electric propulsion system. The propulsion system was powered by lithium-ion battery.

The other useful features of the bus included ultra-low entry at 390mm with kneeling option, noise-free rear engine, front and rear air suspensions and retractable ramp for wheel-chair entry. Some innovative pedestrian safety concepts were also introduced in the bus, like the sound and light alerts while the bus moves, a camera-assisted reversing aid for the driver and night time highlighters near the tail lights.[58]

Non-plugin Hybrid Bus[]

At the Delhi Auto Expo 2016, Ashok Leyland introduced an advanced non-plugin version of HYBUS. It is claimed to be India's first non-plugin series hybrid bus. The bus uses ultra-capacitors to store energy, a feature that improves power density and fuel efficiency, because energy is stored electrostatically and does not involve chemical reactions. The ultra-capacitors are claimed to be 4–5 times more durable than conventional lithium-ion batteries.

HYBUS is powered by an H-Series 6-cylinder diesel (BS IV compliant) engine that is not used to drive the vehicle ahead, but to charge the ultra-capacitors that powers the 150 kW electric motor. Automatic start-stop is used to decrease the overall engine idling time. The bus can restart using the stored energy when the engine is off. The fuel-efficiency of the engine thus increases and NVH (Noise-vibration-harshness) levels decrease.[59]

The buses and trucks are set to feature a new electronic shift-by-wire transmission technology as well as electronic-controlled engine management for greater fuel efficiency. Ashok Leyland focuses on improving fuel efficiency without affecting automotive power, and the vehicles will have a 5% improvement on fuel efficiency. Ashok Leyland is also developing electric batteries and bio-fuel modes.

Electric Technology[]

In 2016 the company launched the country's first indigenously produced fully electric bus, called Circuit. The bus is a zero-emission vehicle that can run 120 km on a single charge, and has an alert system that can signal if the bus is low on power.[60] The bus will be introduced under the National Electric Mobility Plan with an aim of 20% penetration of electric or hybrid vehicles by 2020.[61]

Euro 6 Truck[]

AT the Delhi Auto Expo 2016, the company showcased its first indigenously produced Euro 6 truck 4940. The truck is powered by the company's flagship range of engine, Neptune, which is an 8l engine that produces 400 hp and 1600Nm of torque. The truck is designed to meet Euro 6 norms.[62]

iEGR[]

In 2017, the company showcased iEGR (intelligent exhaust gas recirculation) technology for its trucks and buses to meet BS-IV emission standards. The technology also promises other advantages like better fuel efficiency than BS-III trucks, and power transmission up to 400 HP.[63]

iBUS[]

Ashok Leyland announced iBUS in the beginning of 2008, as part of the future for the country's increasingly traffic-clogged major cities. Its Rs 60-lakh iBus is a feature-filled, low-floor concept bus for the metros revealed during the Auto Expo 2008 in India. This low-floored iBus will have the first of its kind features, including anti-lock braking system, electronic engine management and passenger infotainment. The executive class has an airline like ambiance with wide LCD screens, reading lights, audio speakers and, for the first time, Internet on the move. A GPS system enables vehicle tracking and display of dynamic route information on LCD screens, which can also support infotainment packages including live data and news. The bus will probably be equipped with an engine from the new Neptune family, which Ashok Leyland also introduced at this exhibition, which is ready for the BS4/Euro 4 emission regulations and can be upgraded to Euro 5.[64] The ibus of Ashok leyland have hybrid technology

Financials[]

Ashok Leyland Corporate Building in Guindy, Chennai

The company has maintained its profitable track record for 60 years. The annual revenue of the company was US$3.2 billion in 2016–17. Selling 140,457 light, medium, heavy vehicles in 2016–17, Ashok Leyland was one of India's largest exporters of medium and heavy duty trucks.[citation needed] It is also one of the largest private sector employers in India, with about 12,000 employees working in 9 factories and offices spread across the globe.

In 2013–14, the company posted a very modest profit after tax of Rs. 290million which was made possible after the selling of real estate and other surplus land and related assets. The company did not declare any dividends for the financial year 2013–14, which is also a first in its 60-year history.

The company has increased its rated capacity to 105,000 vehicles per annum. Further investment plans include putting up two new plants – one in Uttarakhand in North India and a bus body building unit in middle-east Asia are fast afoot. It already has a sizeable presence in African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt and South Africa.[citation needed]

Despite its stellar sales growth and profitability results in the last few years, there has been a sharp fall in the share price of Ashok Leyland in the financial year 2018-19 owing to several factors such as resignation of the MD - Mr. Vinod Dasari, Cyclical trend in the Indian truck and commercial vehicle industry, etc. Overall results of the company are still very promising.[65]

Exports[]

On 11 June 2012, Ashok Leyland supplied 100 Falcon buses to Ghana for $7.6 million (about Rs 420 million).[66]

Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland has been awarded the first overseas order worth $6 million for its vestibule buses from Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC).[67]

Every year Ashok Leyland exports about 12000 trucks to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Which has 80% increase in demand every year.[citation needed]

Facilities[]

Manufacturing units[]

India[]

Ashok Leyland factory
  • Ennore, Tamil Nadu in North Chennai (established 1948) – trucks, buses, engines, axles etc.
  • Hosur, Tamil Nadu in Krishnagiri District (established 1980) – three adjacent plants (Hosur-1, Hosur-2, CPPS) for trucks, special vehicles and power units
  • Alwar, Rajasthan (established 1982) – bus manufacturing unit
  • Bhandara, Maharashtra (established 1982) – gearbox unit
  • Pantnagar, Uttarakhand (etsb. 2010) – 75,000 annual capacity greenfield unit for new generation platforms and cabs
  • Sengadu Village, Kanchipuram District in Tamil Nadu (etsb. 2008) – technical and production facility for Ashok Leyland Defence Systems; another separate technical center for Nissan Ashok Leyland vehicles
  • Mallavalli Village, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh (Estd 2021) - Bus manufacturing Unit, This is a complete green facility.

Europe[]

  • Sherburn-in-Elmet, England – Optare Bus

Middle East[]

Technical Centre[]

Ashok Leyland's Technical Centre, at Vellivoyalchavadi (VVC) in the outskirts of North Chennai near Minjur, is a state-of-the-art product development facility, that apart from modern test tracks and component test labs, also houses India's one and only six poster testing equipment.

Former manufacturing units[]

  • Letnany in Prague, Czech – Avia plant, closed in 2013

See also[]

  • British Leyland
  • Leyland Motors
  • Truck

References[]

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