Modular platform as easily customisable as pizza: Ashok Leyland

Chennai

Prior to this new platform, the company had limited left-hand drive options to participate in the international market. Now, the “game-changing” platform would enable the commercial vehicle major to expand its reach in domestic and global markets, Ashok Leyland Chairman Dheeraj Hinduja said on a video call.

From mines to rough roads, several arduous conditions had been tested, said its CTO Saravanan. “It is not about providing 6 lakh unique combination of vehicles but we have added 100 prototypes that allows customers to configure the vehicle,” he said, adding the testing for every possible loading condition not only provided a robust platform but also made possible a design customisation process that was “as easy as a pizza.”

Ashok Leyland MD and CEO Vipin Sondhi said the new platform has been extensively tested in different terrains and done over 60 lakh km of field running. Customers can now “configure, connect and correct” online the entire range of rigid trucks, tippers and tractors in the 18.5 to 55 tonnes category as per business needs.

Sondhi said the company would look at enhancing exports in African and Middle East countries besides establishing foothold in Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. Ashok Leyland COO Anuj Kathuria said the AVTR range of products will be rolled out from plants across the country (Ennore, Hosur, Pantnagar) where it had enough capacity.