Ashok Leyland, the flagship company in the Hinduja Group, is seeking a greater share of the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.
A traditionally medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) player, Ashok Leyland entered the LCV segment with a joint venture with Nissan in 2007 and then bought off the JV in 2016. The company has a market share of 20 per cent in the LCV segment in India despite making a late entry.
In 2011, the Ashok Leyland Nissan JV started production of the Dost, and in 2014 the JV yielded the Dost RFS, the Partner and Mitr.
In 2017, after buying off the Nissan stake, Ashok Leyland expanded its LCV portfolio further to Dost Plus, Bada Dost platform, and Bada Dost CNG RFS. In 2020, Bada Dost was launched in the market.
"The LCV business is less cyclical than M&HCV and has grown fast and consistently," said Amandeep Singh, president, LCV, Ashok Leyland.
It has moved to the number two position in the 2-3.5 tonnage segment.
The company witnessed a 26 per cent volume growth in 2022-23 with the Bada Dost and 32 per cent with the Partner. Today, it targets a 25 per cent market share in the 2-3.5 tonne segment.
The company is planning to enter the sub-2 tonne segment with new products powered by electricity and diesel engines.
Ashok Leyland will also increase the Bada Dost portfolio which currently has a 3.2 tonne model and 3.5 tonne model to include a 3.8 tonne model.
Ashok Leyland's EV arm Switch Mobility has showcased two models, IeV3 and IeV4 last month that will go into production in January next year.
