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Ashok Leyland Limited is an Indian multinational automotive manufacturer, with its headquarters in Chennai. It is now owned by the Hinduja Group. It was founded in 1948 as Ashok Motors, which became Ashok Leyland in the year 1955 after collaboration with British Leyland. Ashok Leyland is the second largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India (with a market share of 32.1% in 2016), the third largest manufacturer of buses in the world, and the tenth largest manufacturer of lorries.

With the corporate office located in Chennai, its manufacturing facilities are in Ennore, Bhandara, Vijayawada two in Hosur, Alwar and Pantnagar. Ashok Leyland also has overseas manufacturing units 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 Aluminium components for the automotive and telecommunication sectors. Operating nine plants, Ashok Leyland also makes spare parts and engines for industrial and marine applications.

Ashok Leyland has a product range from 1T GVW (Overall Vehicle Weight) to 55T GTW (Overall Trailer Weight) in trucks, 9 to 80-seater buses, vehicles for defence and special applications, and diesel engines for industrial, genset and marine applications. In 2019, Ashok Leyland claimed to be in the top 10 global commercial vehicle makers. It sold approximately 140,000 vehicles (M&HCV and LCV) in 2016. The company has passenger transportation options ranging from 10 seaters to 74 seaters (M&HCV = LCV). In the trucks segment, Ashok Leyland primarily concentrates on the 16 to 25-tonne range and has a presence in the 7.5 to 49 tonne range.

History

Ashok Motors

Ashok Motors was founded in 1948 by Raghunandan Saran, an Indian independence campaigner from Punjab. By the end of the Indian Independence Movement, he was persuaded by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal 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 also in Chennai. The company was engaged in the assembly and distribution of Austin A40 passenger cars in India.

In year 1954 Indian government gave approvals to Ashok Motors to manufacturer Leyland Comet trucks the generation range of cabover trucks from Leyland and they also received approvals to manufacture Tiger Cub lightweight bus also by Leyland. These were the first ever models of British Leyland manufactured in india.

The collaboration ended in 1975 but the holding of British Leyland, which was then a major British vehicle conglomerate due to 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 various upgrades.

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.

Hinduja Group

In 2007, the Hinduja Group 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 launched India's first electric bus and Euro 6 compliant truck in 2016.

In June 2020, Ashok Leyland launched its new range of modular trucks, AVTR.

In September 2020, Ashok Leyland launched the Bada Dost based on its indigenously developed LCV platform called Phoenix.

In 2024, Ashok Leyland entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government for a Rs 1,200 crore investment.

On 22 July 2024, Ashok Leyland unveiled its first ever 15-meter, multi-axle bus chassis, the Ashok Leyland Garud, at the M&HCV Expo held at BIEC, Bengaluru.

Ashok Leyland will operate a plant for the manufacture of electric commercial vehicles in Uttar Pradesh. The plant will produce 2,500 vehicles a year, initially, and will gradually increase to 5,000 per year in the next decade. This facility will mainly produce electric buses. The plant will be launched in 2025.

Partnerships

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.

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 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.

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.

CVRDE partnership

As reported in December 2021, Ashok Leyland has partnered with Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) under the DRDO to design, develop and produce a 600-hp indigenous engine for the DRDO WhAP. As per the reports the prototype engine has been manufactured and will undergo rigorous testing in the lab and will be qualified for application in armoured fighting vehicles (AFV). Series production is scheduled to begin after operational start-up. The testing was inaugurated in the Engine Development Centre, Ashok Leyland, Vellivoyalchavadi, near Chennai.

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. 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 versions; later, heavier-duty models from were progressively introduced.

ETG Group

On 26 May 2022, Ashok Leyland has announced partnership with ETG Group to strengthen its partnership in Africa. As part of the tie-up, ETG Logistics (ETGL) will operate dealerships for Ashok Leyland in six key southern African countries.

South Indian Bank

Ashok Leyland and South Indian Bank signed a memorandum of understanding, on 18 April 2024, for providing competitive finance options to the dealers of the truck and bus maker. As part of the agreement, South Indian Bank will offer appropriate inventory financing solutions to Ashok Leyland's network of dealers.

Products

File:Ashok Leyland Ecomet 912.jpg, Current generation Ashok Leyland eComet
File:BEST Bus Mumbai.jpg, Ashok Leyland Titan Double Decker bus of BEST, Mumbai
File:Nmmtabc.jpg, Ashok Leyland City Transit Bus in Navi Mumbai
File:Deluxe A.jpg, Ashok Leyland Inter-City Deluxe Bus operated by APSRTC
File:India Trip 2009.jpg, Ashok Leyland Tusker Twin Axle Lorry with custom built cabin, a regular sight on Indian highways
File:A lorry in Tamil Nadu.JPG, A 1980s-built short haul Ashok Leyland lorry in Tamil Nadu, still in operation
File:City Bus Hyd.jpg, A Telangana State Road Transport Corporation TSRTC city bus in Hyderabad
File:Ashok Leyland Tipper Truck 726.jpg, Ashok Leyland Comet tipper lorry
File:Ashok Leyland Arica.jpg, Ashok Leyland Eagle 814 in Arica, Chile

Trucks

Current range

*General
* 1916 4x2
* 1920 4x2
*Boss
Boss is an intermediate commercial vehicle launched by Ashok Leyland. It is available in the range of 11T to 18.5T. The presently available models are:
* 1115
* 1215
* 1315
* 1415
* 1920
*Ecomet
* 1015
* 1115
* 1215
* 1415
* 1615
*AVTR Modular Platform
* 1920
* 2620 (Life Axle Technology)
* 2620 6x2 (Single-Tire Lift Axle)
* 2820 6x2
* 2820 6x4
* 2825
* 3120 6x2 (Double-Tire Lift Axle)
* 3520 8x2 (Single-Tire Lift Axle/Twin Steer)
* 3525 8x4
* 4020
* 4120 8x2 (Double-Tire Lift Axle)
* 4125 8x2 (Double-Tire Lift Axle)
* 4220 10x2
* 4225 10x2
* 4620
* 4825 10x2 (Double-Tire Lift Axle)
* 4825 10x4 (Double-Tire Lift Axle)
* 5225
* 5425
* 5525 4x2
* 5525 6x4

Former range
* Beaver
* Rhino
* U-Truck
* Captain

Light Vehicles

Current range

* Dost
* Bada 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

* STiLE

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.

Diesel Generators
Ashok Leyland offers Diesel Generators manufactured with Ashok Leyland engines and Leypower alternators. Currently they manufacture 5 to 2250 kVA Silent DG Sets.

Subsidiary ventures

Construction equipment

In June 2009 the company expanded into 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.

Ashok Leyland Defence Systems

Ashok Leyland Defence Systems (ALDS) is a newly floated company by the Hinduja Group. Ashok Leyland holds 26 percent in Ashok Leyland Defence Systems (ALDS). The company designs and develops defence logistics and tactical vehicles, defence communication and other systems. 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).

International operations and exports

Exports of commercial vehicles contribute to a seven percent share of Ashok Leyland's total revenues.

The company has a presence in SAARC countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, and in the Middle East countries where it exports 3600–4000 units a year. 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. This unit currently assembles 4000 units, which the company plans to increase to 6000 units.

Ashok Leyland exports medium and heavy commercial vehicles to Arab countries like Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Yemen; former Soviet Union countries like Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine; Sub-Saharan Africa; Sri Lanka; Bangladesh; Nepal; the Philippines; Thailand and Malaysia. Every year Ashok Leyland exports about 12000 trucks to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

On 11 June 2012, Ashok Leyland supplied 100 Falcon buses to Ghana for $7.6 million (about 420 million). Ashok Leyland was awarded the first overseas order worth $6 million for its vestibule buses from Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC).

Lanka Ashok Leyland

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.

Switch Mobility

In 2010 Ashok Leyland acquired a 26% stake in the British bus manufacturer Optare, 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. In 2017, Ashok Leyland acquired a further 72.31% stake in Optare increasing its overall stake to 98.31%.In 2018, the stake was further raised to 99.08%. In November 2020, Ashok Leyland announced that Optare would be rebranded as Switch Mobility.

Technology

Hythane engines

Ashok Leyland has also developed hythane engines in association with the Australian company Eden Energy. Ashok Leyland developed a 6-cylinder, BS-4 engine which uses hythane (H-CNG,) which is a blend of natural gas and around 20% of hydrogen. A 4-cylinder 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.

Hybrid technology

Non-plugin Hybrid Bus

At the Delhi Auto Expo 2016, Ashok Leyland introduced an advanced non-plugin version of HYBUS. 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.

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. The bus will be introduced under the National Electric Mobility Plan with an aim of 20% penetration of electric or hybrid vehicles by 2020.

Euro VI Truck

AT the Delhi Auto Expo 2016, the company showcased its first indigenously produced Euro VI 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 VI norms.

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.

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 6-million 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. Leyland's iBus has hybrid technology.

Awards and recognition

*In 2019, the company was awarded the AON Best Employers for India award.
*In 2019, Ashok Leyland was ranked as 34th best brand in India by Interbrand.

See also

* British Leyland
* Leyland Motors

References

External links

*
Lanka Leyland
– official website

{{Nifty 200 companies

Indian companies established in 1948
John Deere
Companies based in Chennai
Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1948
Holding companies established in 1948
Indian brands
India–United Kingdom relations
Companies listed on the National Stock Exchange of India
Companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange
Hinduja Group