12
Auto Monitor
16 - 30 November 2011
CORPORATE
Ashok Leyland Dost enters Kerala T Murrali Kochi
H
induja Group f lagship company Ashok Leyland has launched its small commercial vehicle—Dost in Kerala recently. The company launched its vehicle in three major markets such as Kochi, Kozhikode a nd Thir uva na nt hapura m. The ex-showroom price of the vehicle ranges from `3.79 lakh to `4.39 lakh.
As part of the company’s strategy the vehicle is being initially launched in the four southern states (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala), Maharashtra and Gujarat. It will be made available across the country in a phased manner as the production ramp up is executed. To reach out to the customers in Kerala Ashok Leyland light vehicles has appointed four dealers Malayalam Motors and
ALL appoints Dr Sumantran as non-executive vice chairman
T
he Board of Directors, at their meeting held on 3 November, 2011, appointed Dr V Sumantran as Non-Executive Vice Chairman of Ashok Leyland.
Indus in Kochi, EVM Motors in Thiruvananthapuram and Indus in Kozhikode. Dost is entering the Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) market (below 3.5 tonne), which is witnessing a perceptible upward shift in terms of features, performance and payload. The overall LCV market (up to 7.5 tonne) is growing robustly, fuelled by the increase in urbanisation, organised retailing, improved rural connectivity coupled with growth in rural demand. Adding to this are factors like increased focus on the hub-and-spoke model. Dost, which has a payload capacity of 1.25 tonne, will be available in three versions with the top-end version featuring air-conditioning, power steering, dual-colour beige-grey trim and fabric seats. It is equipped with 55 HP, 3-cylinder 1.5 litre common rail TDCR engine, tuned for fuel economy as well as the driveability and gradeability required for Indian roads. The company is also offering readyto-use-vehicles on the Dost
platform for various applications such as refrigerated containers, steel containers, ambulance, aluminium fi xed side decks and service-at-site vehicles. At a media conference in here, the Executive Vice Chairman, Hinduja Automotive and Chairman, Nissan Ashok Leyland Powertrain, Dr V Sumantran said, “With the commercial launch of Dost, Ashok Leyland fi lls an important gap in its product line up. The vehicle embodies our attempt to deliver to the Indian LCV customer, Japanese technology at Indian costs. It is a true reflection of the evolving needs of today’s Indian LCV customer and we are happy that we have been able to manufacture a product that will be attuned to the growing expectations of the LCV market. We have attempted to pack a lot into Dost—increased payload, improved fuel efficiency as well as class-leading performance, comfort and safety, all aimed at offering a uniquely superior experience at a very competitive cost of ownership.”
Dr V Sumantran as Non-Executive Vice Chairman of Ashok Leyland
Besides his responsibilities as Member of the Board, Dr Sumantran will be responsible for the business plan and results of the Defence and Light Commercial Vehicle business units of Ashok Leyland. Dr Sumantran is the Executive Vice-Chairman of Hinduja Automotive and has been on the Board of Ashok Leyland since 2008. He has over 26 years of experience in the automobile industry both in India and abroad, in senior management positions. Vinod K Dasari, Managing Director, will be responsible for all other operations of Ashok Leyland, including manufacturing of products as required by Defence and Light Commercial Vehicle business units. R Seshasayee, Executive Vice Chairman, will continue to have overall responsibilities for a l l operat ions of A shok Leyland, its subsidiaries and associate companies.