Ashok Leyland eyes SUV market with passenger version of `Dost'

Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland, which entered the light commercial vehicle segment with the launch of `Dost' early this month, is now planning to come out with a passenger version of the LCV.

Ashok Leyland's joint venture with Japan's Nissan Motors is currently working on a 7-8 seater SUV version of Dost, V Sumantran, executive vice chairman of Hinduja Automotive Ltd and chairman of Nissan Ashok Leyland Powertrain, said today.

Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function to launch `Dost' in Andhra Pradesh, Sumantran said Ashok Leyland is currently in the process of expanding dealer network for Dost across the country.

"We are working on the design and expect to come out with the passenger version of the LCV, Dost, within a year. It will be a seven to eight seat vehicle," he said.

Dost, which has a payload capacity of 1.25 tonnes, is available in three versions with the top-end model having air-conditioned cabin, power steering and fabric seats.

He said while Ashok Leyland may look at the sports utility vehicle (SUV) segment, which is closer to the LCV segment, the company has no plans to enter the passenger car segment any time soon.