Ashok Leyland bags 1,000-bus order from Sri Lanka

11 Aug 2010

Mumbai: Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland, has bagged an order for 1,000 buses from the People's Leasing Company in Sri Lanka.

Worth around $26 million, this represents the company's largest single order for buses from that country.

Delivery of the 1,000 'Viking' buses, varying from 42 – 58 seaters, will commence with immediate effect and have to be completed before March 2011.
Ashok Leyland is a leader in the Sri Lankan bus market having sold 8,000-plus buses over the past 6 – 7 years.

''With Lanka Ashok Leyland, a joint venture between the government of Sri Lanka and Ashok Leyland that was formed in 1983, we have been playing a vital role in helping develop the country's economy not only by delivering appropriate transport solutions but also by providing employment for the local populace,'' said R. Seshasayee, managing director, Ashok Leyland.

With the cessation of hostilities, the north and east of Sri Lanka have once again opened up for trade, commerce and people's movement and these buses which will be sold by the People's Leasing Company to the country's private sector to be used to improve connectivity to these regions.

The order is being part funded by the Asian Development Bank.