Introduction
Ashok Leyland, a multinational automotive company based in Chennai, India. Initially established as Ashok Motors in 1948 and rebranded in 1955 following a partnership with British Leyland, it is currently India’s second-largest producer of commercial vehicles, ranking third internationally in bus production and tenth in truck manufacturing. The business runs nine plants, including ones abroad in the UK and the UAE. Its product line includes defense vehicles, buses with nine to eighty seats, trucks with GVWs ranging from one to fifty-five tons, and diesel engines for a variety of functions. It sold almost 140,000 cars in 2016 and was ranked among the top 10 commercial vehicle manufacturers worldwide in 2019.
History
Ashok Motors Raghunandan Saran, an Indian freedom fighter, started Ashok Motors in 1948. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru encouraged the business to start assembling English-made Austin automobiles. Its manufacturing factory and headquarters were located in Chennai, and it was named after Saran’s son Ashok. The government gave Ashok Motors permission to start producing Leyland’s Comet trucks and Tiger Cub buses in 1954, which were the company’s first British Leyland vehicles made in India.
Under Iveco and Hinduja partnership The foreign holding of Land Rover Leyland International Holdings Limited was acquired in 1987 by the Fiat organization’s Iveco and the global business organization Hinduja Group.
Hinduja Group In 2007, the Hinduja Group bought out Iveco’s stake in Ashok Leyland, raising its promoter shareholding to 51%. Ashok Leyland, now the Hinduja Group’s flagship company, launched India’s first electric bus and Euro 6 compliant truck in 2016. In 2020, it introduced the AVTR range of modular trucks and the Bada Dost LCV. In 2024, Ashok Leyland signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government for a Rs 1,200 crore investment. The company will start manufacturing electric commercial vehicles at a new plant in Uttar Pradesh in 2025. Initially producing 2,500 vehicles annually, with plans to double capacity over the next decade.
Partnerships
In order to supply tracked vehicles to the Indian Armed Forces. Ashok Leyland Defense Systems inked a collaboration agreement with Rosoboronexport and ELCOM Group.
In addition, Ashok Leyland collaborated with IIT Madras, Sun Mobility, ETG Group. South Indian Bank on a number of projects, such as the development of electric vehicles and dealer financing alternatives.
Trucks From the Boss (11T to 18.5T) to the enormous 5525 (available in both 4×2 and 6×4 configurations). Ashok Leyland offers a wide range of trucks. Boss and Ecomet are the two primary groups into which their trucks fall, with the AVTR Modular Platform being a more recent addition.
Light Vehicles Dost and Bada Dost light commercial vehicles, with a payload capacity of up to one ton, are offered by Ashok Leyland. They also produce 5 to 2250 kVA diesel generators.
Subsidiary ventures Leading Indian automaker Ashok Leyland produces generators, trucks, light commercial vehicles, and even military vehicles through its subsidiary ALDS.
International operations and exports In addition to over 30 nations, they are major exporter of trucks and buses to South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. In certain areas, they even have assembly plants.
Technology
In order to cut emissions and comply with upcoming requirements, Ashok Leyland is investigating a number of alternative technologies. In partnership with Eden Energy, they have created hythane engines, which run on a combination of natural gas and hydrogen. With its fully electric Circuit buses and non-plug-in HYBUS buses, they also provide hybrid electric solutions. Ashok Leyland’s dedication to producing cleaner commercial vehicles is evident in these developments.
Awards and recognition
Ashok Leyland has received praise for its outstanding performance! In 2019, they were recognized as the 34th greatest brand in India and won the AON greatest Employers for India award.
