Ashok Leyland to launch 35-tonne tractor to boost commercial vehicles sales

Mumbai: Ashok Leyland Ltd has launched a new 35-tonne tractor with in-line fuel injection pump, today in Hyderabad. The company has lined up more launches, including in the heavy haulage multi-axle segment, over the next few months, said, Rajive Saharia, executive director (marketing) of Ashok Leyland.

Ashok Leyland is also working on an expansion plan to increase plant capacity from the existing 84,000 units to 1,34,000 units by 2009.

Earlier Saharia inaugurate the state-of-the-art service infrastructure of Automotive Manufacturers Pvt Ltd in Hyberabad, developed as a service facility exclusively to cater to the needs of Ashok Leyland's customers.

Automotive Manufacturers invested Rs4 crore for the facility, which is spread across 5 acres.

Speaking on the overall commercial vehicle market, Saharia noted that the company is not expecting significant growth in sales this year due rising interest rates and  increased costs of raw materials especially steel. However, Ashok Leyland will be able to maintain its sales numbers during the current fiscal and not likely to see any negative growth, added Saharia

Along with the new 35-tonne tractor-3516, the company is banking on the 4921 tractor in the 49-tonne tractor segment and the multi axle vehicle-2214 Super to achieve target sales of 80,000 units in the domestic market, this year.

Also growing demand from the construction and mining sector for tippers have boosted the sales of heavy haulage vehicles in an otherwise slightly subdued market for commercial sales, noted Saharia.

The company sold about 78,000 vehicles last year.