BW Communities

Leyland's Frugal Engineering

BW Online Bureau Nov 08, 2014

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><root available-locales="en_US," default-locale="en_US"><static-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Ashok Leyland, known largely for its large 12-15 ton trucks has reinvented itself in making a multi utility van called the Stile. The Stile is the same as the new Nissan Evalia, but will not have the same features as that of the Nissan. Nissan is the technology provider for Ashok Leyland, who quickly localised the car by 90 percent.  The engines and a few other components come from abroad. "We believe the corporate and city cab markets could use this vehicle," Dr Sumantran, Executive Vice Chairman of Ashok Leyland. The JV partner Nissan and Ashok Leyland plan to bring a host of new products in three years. "The next 18 months we will focus on selling 3 products launched with Nissan," says Sumantran. The JV also launched the 6 ton category Partner truck, which has stylised cabins and a 120 hp ZD30 DDTi Common Rail Diesel engine to power the vehicle. Earlier in September 2011, they had launched the Dost sub one ton vehicle. The sub one tonne category is the fastest growing category with a 30 percent growth year on year and the market is around 220,000 vehicles, which is dominated by Tata Motors with close to 1,45,000 units sold. Sources from Nissan add that the Stile as Evalia sold more than 100,000 vehicles globally and the Dost as a commercial vehicle sold more than 200,000 vehicles. The JV has invested Rs 2400 crore and plans to produce 140000 cars. Ashok Leyland is another partner of the Renault Nissan Alliance and part of Carlos Ghosn's frugal engineering strategy.