In a move that would progressively expand and change the entire product portfolio, Ashok Leyland managing director, R Seshasayee, announced the unveiling of an all-new range truck platform spanning truck models from 16-ton GVW (gross vehicle weight) to 49 GCW (gross carrying weight) under the brand ?UNITRUCK?, that are fully built and ready-to-use.
The new product line is slated tentatively to be out by 2013 with the new products on LCVs, HCVs and buses, he added.
Elaborating on the ambitious programme, Seshasayeesaid that it involved the incorporation of a new family of 6-cylinder inline engines code-named ?NEPTUNE? of modular capacity from 4.7-litre to 8-litre-BS3 and BS4/Euro IV compliant and protected for Euro-V, he added.
The ‘UNITRUCK’ range will feature the NEWGEN (new generation) cab initially, before a next generation of modular cabs takes it place, he said. When asked about servicing the global market from the local platform, he optimistically said that 55% of the global medium- and heavy-commercial vehicle segment was serviced by dedicated companies and 45% was fragmented. This is where other companies can tap and expand into this business.
Seshasayee said that the new product-line development platform was designed in a fashion that would address the diverse needs of customers across the globe.
To a question on export market expectation, he said that he was anticipating 15% share of production, but the company would largely catering to the needs to its domestic customer-base. Commenting on the new full range truck platform, he said, ?The UNITRUCK range reflects our global ambitions. With higher power-to-weight ratio, superior cab ergonomics and trim, the trucks will conform to European standards, and will spearhead our entry into developed markets, with competitive advantages in costs”.
Seshasayee further announced the setting up of a HPDC (high pressure die xcasting) plant in collaboration with Finnish giant Altiem at Cheyyar and an additional plant at Uttarakhand as a part of their aggressive expansion plans. He expressed confidence that the robust infrastructure growth would fuel demand for trucks and heavy commercial vehicles and added that business volumes were expected to rise for Ashok Leyland.